Charles ‘deliberately’ put Kate and Will at the ‘centre’ of his Scottish Coronation’, expert claims

King Charles ‘deliberately’ put the Waleses ‘front and centre’ of his Scottish Coronation to ‘project the future of the monarchy’, a royal expert has claimed. 

The Princess of Wales, 41, joined other senior royals for a regal procession through Edinburgh yesterday.

She and Prince William watched on with Queen Camilla as Charles was presented with the Crown of Scotland during his Scottish Coronation at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh. 

Vanity Fair’s royal expert Katie Nicholl said it was ‘important’ to Charles that William was ‘by his side’ for the event.

She said a source told her: ‘While the Coronation focused on the crowning of the King and the Queen, this was a moment to project the future of the monarchy to Scotland. The Waleses shared centre stage and this was very deliberate.’

The Princess of Wales, 41, who is known as the Duchess of Rothesay when in Scotland, joined other senior royals including her husband yesterday 

The King and Queen are understood to be taking up residence in Balmoral over the summer months, and according to the magazine, they will be joined by Prince William and his family. 

His Majesty received the Sceptre and the Elizabeth Sword that make up the Honours of Scotland — the country’s crown jewels — during the ceremony.

William and Kate, known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland, joined the nation’s leading figures and 100 individuals representing all aspects of society at the church on the Royal Mile.

The Right Reverend Sally Foster-Fulton, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, delivered the sermon, in which she called for action to tackle global warming to stop the world ‘baking to a crisp’.

Gun salutes rang out across Edinburgh following the ceremony, while activists could be heard booing and shouting ‘Not My King’ – leading to criticism from royalists who believe they should have been given a less prominent spot.

The service came eight weeks after Charles and Camilla were crowned in an ancient ceremony at Westminster Abbey where the King made a pledge to ‘serve’. 

The ceremony, at St Giles’ Cathedral, was a key part of Royal Week, with Charles and Camilla undertaking several engagements in Scotland.

And despite the formality of the occasion, it appeared Kate was in a playful mood as at one point in the service, she tapped her husband gently on the behind.

Vanity Fair’s royal expert Katie Nicholl said it was ‘important’ to Charles that William was ‘by his side’ for the event 

The Prince and Princess of Wales watch as King Charles is presented with the Elizabeth sword

Kate looked regal in a bespoke Catherine Walker coat dress, which she has previously worn

It’s a move Kate has done a couple of times in the past few months in rare public displays of affection.

She playfully tapped him on the behind during their day at the Royal Ascot last month, and also did the same thing on the red carpet at the Baftas in February.  

The mother-of-three looked regal in a bespoke Catherine Walker coat dress, which she has worn on a number of occasions in the past, for the regal procession through the city.

The long-length design features neat tailoring and a luxe velvet collar. 

It also boasts sharp shoulders and angular pockets that accentuate the crisp silhouette.

She last wore the coat dress for Easter Sunday, and also wore the outfit in March 2022 for the Commonwealth Day Service, though she opted for different fascinators each time.  

Meanwhile the princess paid tribute to the late Queen by wearing her pearl choker necklace which was also loaned to Diana. It is the same necklace she wore to the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral last year.