Yawning Prince Louis delights onlookers at coronation service

Young royals take part in procession following coronation of grandfather King Charles III

Powered by automated translation

Follow the latest news from the coronation of King Charles here

Prince Louis, the five-year-old son of Britain's Prince William, entertained royal fans by yawning and chattering during his grandfather King Charles III's coronation on Saturday.

Prince Louis held his sister Princess Charlotte's hand after they arrived at Westminster Abbey with their older brother Prince George.

The children rode in a royal carriage with their parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales, waving to well-wishers on The Mall in London.

The three young royals turned around in their carriage seats to get a better view of the procession and crowds along the route.

Inside the abbey, Prince Louis could be seen letting out a big yawn, while also taking the opportunity to point out something of interest to his sister.

Shortly afterwards, television footage showed he was no longer sitting in the pew, under plans for him to take a break from the service.

However, he returned for the national anthem at the end of the service and the procession out of the abbey. Footage showed him singing God Save The King.

Prince William kissed King Charles on the cheek during the coronation service. The monarch appeared to mouth “thank you, William” in response.

Prince Louis, who was not at his great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in September, has become known for delighting royal fans with his reactions during state events.

The prince was regally dressed in a Hainsworth Garter Blue doeskin tunic with specially designed lace work embellishment to the collar, cuffs and fronts, made by bespoke Savile Row tailors Dege and Skinner.

Princess Charlotte, eight, wore an an Alexander McQueen dress with rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock embroidery to signify the four nations of the United Kingdom.

Returning to the palace, the family rode in the first carriage behind the Gold State Coach that transported the king and Queen Camilla.

The siblings have previous experience with royal carriage processions, having waved to crowds during the platinum jubilee celebrations last year.

The Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk, who is responsible for organising the monumental event, has described the procession as a “magnificent spectacle of tradition”.

In total, 7,000 troops were on ceremonial duty, with 4,000 of them participating in the procession itself, escorting the king and queen from Westminster Abbey at 1pm.

Anne, Princess Royal, in her role as Gold Stick in Waiting and Colonel of the Blues and Royals, rode on horseback behind the king and queen's carriage.

The king's youngest brother, Prince Edward, along with his wife, Sophie, and their children, rode in the second carriage.

The third carriage carried the late queen Elizabeth's cousin, the Duke of Gloucester, his wife, and Princess Royal Anne's husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.

The procession concluded with the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra, also cousins of the late Queen Elizabeth II, travelling by car.

The Duke of Sussex, Duke of York, and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie did not take part in the procession ― neither did they have formal role in the coronation ceremony.

Updated: May 06, 2023, 2:13 PM