The grandson of Queen Camilla Jos, Luis Lopez and Queen Elizabeth II’s Lady Susan Hussey were among the dignitaries arriving at Buckingham Palace today.
The 13-year-old twin boys are the children of Laura Lopez, who is the daughter of Camilla and Andrew Parker Bowles, and the daughter of King Charles III.
Lady Susan, was a member of Elizabeth II’s inner circle for more than 60 years until Her Majesty’s death last September.
They were seen ahead of a major road closure in central London which will begin this afternoon as preparations and rehearsals continue ahead of the coronation.
Westminster Bridge, Victoria Embankment on Upper Thames Street and the area around Waterloo station will be closed from 4pm today until 9am tomorrow.
This area will expand to cover routes around St James’s Park, Westminster, Waterloo and Charing Cross Tube stations from 7pm this evening – again until 9am tomorrow.
There will then be another set of ‘significant’ lockdowns across a wider area from 7pm this Friday which will last until 9pm on Saturday, the day of the ceremony.
With millions of people in London, Network Rail warned commuters to allow extra time and check for live updates, while the RAC urged all drivers to ‘check tyres, oil and coolant levels as matters of priority before they hit the road’.
Elsewhere, coronation rehearsals continued today as photos showed members of the military training on the runway at RAF Odiham in Hampshire.
The Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) wrote on April 21 to residents and businesses who will be affected by the road closures over the coming days.
Vehicles including cars, buses, coaches, vans, motorcycles and bicycles will not be allowed to enter restricted event areas once closed.
The letter sent by DCMS said the restrictions from today through tomorrow “will be implemented to support essential preparations for the event.”
She added that pedestrian paths will not be affected, but some crossing points may be closed temporarily and bicycle paths will be restricted while the closure is in place.
The letter also said that “actions and activities including the playing of military music may be audible at various times, including overnight,” but added: “Every effort will be made to minimize any disturbance to you.”
The long-awaited ceremony itself is on Saturday, with viewing areas along the procession route opening from 6am before Charles and Camilla set off from Buckingham Palace at 10.20am for service in Westminster Abbey at 11am.
Domestic restrictions have been in place since April 3, but the majority of the lockdown will be from Friday as London tries to deal with the massive influx of visitors.
Event restrictions for the ceremony itself will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, which DCMS said “will be implemented to support the safe delivery of the event.”
These road closures will be wider than those in place today and tomorrow, covering areas around Green Park and Piccadilly Circus stations.
Cycleway 3 between Wellington Arch and Birdcage Walk will be closed, while pedestrian restrictions within the event space will come into effect from 5am on Saturday until no later than 5pm that day.
Plans for the event have been organized by Transport for London, which Sadiq Khan chairs, along with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. London city; Westminster City Council; the Borough of Lambeth in London; metropolitan police; British Transport Police; London Ambulance Service. The London Fire Brigade.
Westminster Abbey has closed its doors to visitors after the Anzac Day ceremony Prince William attended last Tuesday, and preparations are underway for the coronation.
Westminster City Council officials have insisted that access to homes and workplaces will be maintained throughout periods of road closures.
They said: ‘If challenged, please support the police and grounds stewardship teams by providing clear information about the property you are trying to access.
To help with this, you and your guests or staff are advised to travel with proof of address, a staff pass, or an official invitation to your accommodation.
The council also said: “Roads and parks around central London will be affected by significant road closures and parking suspensions on 5 and 6 May.”
Preparations for the Saturday event began in November – with planning for about a month every hour the Army would be in parade.
Westminster Abbey takes center stage when the king is crowned at midday during the coronation ceremony.
The service will begin at 11 a.m. and will continue until 1 p.m. when the newly crowned King and Queen will embark on their coronation procession to Buckingham Palace in the Golden State Coach.
Royal fans can tune in to the entire scene, which will be shown live by the BBC.
Viewers can look out for heads of state, representatives of governments abroad, cabinet ministers, first ministers, former prime ministers, overseas royals, and members of the royal family among the congregation.
After returning to the palace, Charles and Camilla will receive a royal salute from the military in the palace gardens.
This will be followed by a balcony moment as Charles and Camilla will be joined by other members of the royal family to watch the flypast.
(tags for translation) Kingship