Prince William will pay tribute to both the King and Camilla after a glittering Coronation concert at Windsor Castle.
A royal source said of the heir’s address next Sunday: “His speech will be heartfelt and loving.”
His praise will be in stark contrast to brother Harry, who in his book Spare said he feared the Queen Consort would become their “wicked step-mother” and accused her of leaking stories to boost her image.
It comes as new pictures show the huge red, white and blue concert stage where rock royalty will perform to mark the occasion in a week's time.
A royal source said: “William feels entirely differently to his brother on these matters. His speech will be heartfelt and loving, paying tribute to his father as a man of principle who has also devoted himself to duty and to the causes he believes in.
“The Prince also feels it is important to pay tribute to how Camilla has dedicated herself to causes and has made a real difference to many in her royal role and also contributing to his father’s happiness.”
Harry has already told his dad he will not hang around for the Bank Holiday weekend of celebrations, as exclusively revealed by the Mirror last month.
He will return to the US to belatedly mark his and Meghan’s son Archie’s fourth birthday, which is on the same day as Saturday’s Coronation.
The royals are understood to be “relieved” at the Duchess of Sussex’s absence after the couple’s constant attacks on family over the last three years.
In a further blow, Meghan’s estranged family have hit out at her in a documentary with Australian network Channel 7.
The 41-year-old former Suits star has not spoken to her relatives since dad Thomas, who is still recovering from a stroke, failed to show up at her wedding. In a trailer for the documentary, he is seen pleading: “How do I fix this?”
As the countdown to the Coronation enters its final week, newly released pictures reveal the dazzling stage for the concert in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
It features the Union flag with platforms that fan out into the crowd and a halo-like screen surrounding the roof.
Take That, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Paloma Faith, Olly Murs, Steve Winwood, Nicole Scherzinger and Andrea Bocelli will perform at the gig, to be screened on BBC1 from 8pm.
Fans can also watch on iPlayer and listen on Radio 2 and Sounds on Sunday. Classical acts include Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel and Chinese pianist Lang Lang.
Around 20,000 ticket winners will get to see the stage lit-up in red, white and blue against the backdrop of the castle’s East Terrace. The BBC said the staging creates multiple levels for a 74-piece classical ensemble.
It is made up of the Countess of Wessex’s String Orchestra and woodwind, brass and percussion sections from the Bands of the Household Division.
The concert will be hosted by actor Hugh Bonneville.
Tom Cruise, Dame Joan Collins, Bear Grylls and Sir Tom Jones are to appear in video messages.
The series of recorded sketches will reveal little-known facts about the monarch and will also include moments from Winnie the Pooh.
The Royal Ballet, the Royal Opera, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal College of Music and the Royal College of Art will come together for the first time to create a one-off performance featuring Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa and Olivier Award nominee Mei Mac.
While the Coronation and concert will warm the hearts of royal fans, the weather may not be so accommodating.
Those hoping this weekend’s sunshine will continue into next are in for a disappointment, with heavy and thundery downpours forecast. Thousands of people are expected to flock to London for the Coronation at Westminster Abbey and the procession back to Buckingham Palace.
On Sunday street parties are planned across the country as part of The Big Lunch. And there is an extra Bank Holiday to enjoy on Monday.
But the Met Office said: The Met Office said: “Through the weekend, southern parts are more likely to see unsettled conditions with fresh winds, rain and showers, these perhaps heavy and thundery, while the north is likely to remain drier.”
- Anti-monarchists are plotting a Coronation day protest, as costs for the event are expected to soar to £250million. The Cymru Republic group is planning a “Not My King march through Cardiff and will also hold the “big republican lunch”.
