A new official photo of King Charles and Queen Camilla has been released ahead of the upcoming Coronation.
Charles is due to be crowned on May 6 in a ceremony that reportedly promises to reflect a more modern and streamlined Royal Family.
Alongside Charles, Camilla will be at the ceremony where she will be using the title of Queen instead of Queen Consort.
In the new official photo, the King, who was the longest ever serving heir apparent, and Camilla both wear blue, as they’re pictured smiling arm-in-arm in the Blue Room at Buckingham Palace.
The new double portrait of the King and Queen, who is wearing a Fiona Clare dress with diamond clasp pearl necklace, was taken by Hugo Burnand, a favourite photographer of the royals.
But the upcoming coronation hasn’t been without controversy as there remains questions about the roles that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will play.
Whilst Prince William, Princess Kate, and their children, look set to play central roles, the Sussexes' still haven't confirmed whether they will be in attendance.
They did confirm they had received an invitation but haven’t said if they will show up amid reports they are in negotiations with the Firm over their appearance.
But someone who definitely won’t be there is US President Joe Biden who is set to skip the coronation.
First Lady Jill Biden is expected to lead the US delegation which won’t include the president - continuing the tradition of presidents not attending such occasions.
This comes as stamps bearing King Charles’ face went on sale - but the price of first and second class stamps went up by 15p and 7p respectively.
Camilla’s title of Queen was used for the first time in an official capacity on invitations for the coronation.
Since the death of Queen Elizabeth II, last September, Camilla has been referred to as Queen Consort but in the invites sent out to 2,000 guests she is named as Queen Camilla.
Future king Prince George will play an important role in the coronation of his grandfather alongside seven schoolboys, with all named as Pages of Honour who will “attend their majesties during the coronation service”.
The group are either family friends or close relatives of Charles and Camilla, including three of the Queen’s grandchildren, and will be expected to carry the robes of prominent figures during the day.
A royal source said: “It made sense to refer to Her Majesty as the Queen Consort in the early months of His Majesty’s reign, to distinguish from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“‘Queen Camilla’ is the appropriate title to set against ‘King Charles’ on the invitation. The coronation is an appropriate time to start using ‘Queen Camilla’ in an official capacity. All former Queen Consorts have been known as ‘Queen’ plus their first name.”
The invitation to the coronation reads: “The Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III & Queen Camilla – By Command of the King the Earl Marshall is directed to invite…to be present at the Abbey Church of Westminster on 6th day of May 2023.”
