'Party at the Palace': Charles, William and Kate greet cheering Royal fans with surprise pre-Coronation walkabout

5 May 2023, 14:22 | Updated: 5 May 2023, 14:57

King Charles and the Prince and Princess of Wales delighted royal fans on The Mall today
King Charles and the Prince and Princess of Wales delighted royal fans on The Mall today. Picture: Getty
Kieran Kelly

By Kieran Kelly

King Charles delighted royal fans camping along The Mall this afternoon with a surprise appearance less than 24 hours before the Coronation.

The King was joined by the Prince William and Kate Middleton, who also greeted throngs of well-wishers who lined up along the Mall.

He told one woman, from Minnesota: "Hopefully it will be nice weather tomorrow, that’s the main thing.

"You’re very welcome guys, have a lovely weekend."

The Princess of Wales told well-wishers the 12 years since her wedding had "gone by in such a flash".

"It’s really exciting. Everyone’s come from so far and wide to be part of this moment."

King Charles III greets members of the public along the Mall as preparations continue for The Coronation
King Charles III greets members of the public along the Mall as preparations continue for The Coronation. Picture: Getty

Read More: Coronation timetable: A complete schedule of timings and events for King Charles's weekend

Earlier today, King Charles and Kate joined Buckingham Palace lunch for VIPs today, which included working royals and government officials.

It comes after King Charles, Queen Consort Camilla and Prince William attended their final rehearsal at Westminster Abbey earlier on Friday.

Prince William and Kate Middleton attend VIP lunch at Buckingham Palace
Prince William and Kate Middleton attend VIP lunch at Buckingham Palace. Picture: Getty
Preparations Are Made On The Eve Of The Coronation
Preparations Are Made On The Eve Of The Coronation. Picture: Getty

King Charles and Camilla waved to crowds as they were driven down through a rain-soaked London, along The Mall to Westminster Abbey.

They will be back there in less the 24 hours time as the royal procession from Buckingham Palace begins as 10.20am. The Coronation ceremony, which will be attended by 2,000 guests, will begin at 11am.

Charles will also attend a Commonwealths Heads of Government meeting at London's Marlborough House later this afternoon.

Prince Harry may already be in the UK
Prince Harry may already be in the UK. Picture: Getty

Meanwhile, Prince Harry may already be in the UK for his father's Coronation after a private jet flying in from California touched down at Farnborough Airport, which is near Windsor.

The Duke of Sussex announced he would be attending the Coronation last month, but his wife Meghan Markle is staying behind in California with their children.

It will only be a whistle-stop tour for Prince Harry, who is expected to fly back to California immediately after the Coronation on Saturday for Prince Archie's fourth birthday.

Read More: 'There is more to come': Prince Harry could pull a 'last-minute stunt' ahead of King Charles' Coronation

Royals have been out and about all week as they making final preparations for the Coronation, while speaking to members of the public about what they are doing to prepare for the weekend.

On Thursday, the Prince and Princess of Wales visited an iconic pub in Soho to see how they are preparing for the Coronation weekend.

Catherine, Princess of Wales meets members of the public during a walkabout after a visit to the Dog & Duck pub in Soho
Catherine, Princess of Wales meets members of the public during a walkabout after a visit to the Dog & Duck pub in Soho. Picture: Getty
Dog and Duck, Soho
Dog and Duck, Soho. Picture: Getty

Hundreds of people gathered behind barriers outside the Dog and the Duck with a heavy police presence as royal fans waited to get a glimpse of Kate Middleton and Prince William.

The Prince and Princess of Wales decided to visit the pub to see how they are preparing ahead of the Coronation on Saturday and and greeted the hundreds that had gathered before going into the pub.

According to Dog and Duck manager Chris Watts, both Kate and William had a pint of cider.

Read More: Dog and Duchess: Smitten Kate Middleton wowed by Royal fan's adorable dog on Soho pub visit

William then poured a pint behind the bar.

Asked by LBC's Henry Riley if he would hire William, Mr Watts said: "Absolutely, 100 per cent. It was a really nice pint."

"What an experience...it's something I'll remember for the rest of my life," Mr Watts added.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

MP Rosie Duffield claimed she was 'single-handedly bullied' out of the Labour party by 'millionaire barrister' Sir Keir Starmer.

Former Labour MP claims she was 'bullied out of the party' by 'millionaire' Starmer amid 'anti-sleaze' row

Pope Francesco greets the faithful in St. Peter's Square.

Pope facing 'period of trial' as Pontif issues Sunday prayer from hospital

Former advisor to President Putin told LBC ‘Ukrainians will be thankful after we liberate them'.

Putin ally suggests Ukrainians should be 'thankful' nation is being 'bombed to bits'

A firefighter inspects a nightclub after a massive fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

Arrest warrants issued for four people as North Macedonia nightclub fire death toll rises to 59

Newcombe Road, Coventry.

One man dead and another left with 'potentially life-changing facial injuries' following Coventry double stabbing

Streeting suggests Labour discontent is ‘manufactured rebellion’ as he refuses to confirm disability benefits U-turn

Streeting suggests Labour discontent is ‘manufactured rebellion’ as he refuses to confirm disability benefits U-turn

Alice da Silva Aguiar was one of the three children killed.

Fundraiser for playground in memory of Southport victims Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King reaches £250,000

Foreign Office staff enjoyed the Nassau Yacht Club in Barbados, in January 2023, spending £920.

Civil servants splurge on Barbados yacht club trip with taxpayer-backed credit card

Met Police sued after reinstating 999 call handler who mock Sarah Everard and called rape victim a ‘slut’

Met Police sued after reinstating 999 call handler who 'mocked Sarah Everard' and called rape victim a ‘slut’

At least 50 dead after fire rips through nightclub in North Macedonia

At least 50 dead after fire rips through nightclub in North Macedonia

FILE - Britain's Prince Harry leaves after attending an Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral in London, Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

Bombshell US court ruling orders Prince Harry's visa application files be made public by Tuesday

This image made from video by NASA shows astronauts waving after the SpaceX capsule docked with the International Space Station, Sunday, March 16, 2025. Top row from left: Nick Hague, Alexander Gorbunov, Suni Williams, Alexei Ovchinin.

Over the moon: SpaceX capsule docks with ISS as stranded NASA astronauts welcome replacement crew

F1 Grand Prix Of Australia

Lando Norris wins a wet Australian Grand Prix despite last minute charge from Max Verstappen

Disabled people to be given right to try working without risk of losing benefits in welfare reforms.

Disabled people to be given 'right to try' work without risk of losing benefits

Britain's Prince William, Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), and Kate, the Princess of Wales, Patron of the Rugby Football Union (RFU), pose for a photo with Leif Thobroe

Royal split: William and Kate cheer on rival sides at Wales take on England in Six Nations clash

Wes Streeting MP - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care - in Downing Street 12th March 2025 - the day before NHS England was abolished.

Scrapping NHS England is ‘beginning, not the end’ says Streeting, vowing to cut hundreds of quangos