The coronation countdown is well and truly underway – and with less than a month until 6 May, the team at HELLO! is taking a closer look at Queen Consort Camilla's six royal companions and their special coronation roles.
Queen Consort Camilla will be the first consort crowned at a British coronation since 1937. Indeed, upon Charles' ascension to the throne, the palace updated their website to read: "Unless decided otherwise, a queen consort is crowned with the king, in a similar but simpler ceremony. If the new sovereign is a queen, her consort is not crowned or anointed at the coronation ceremony."
Post-coronation, Camilla will be styled as Queen Camilla, dropping the "Consort" from her royal title.
Senior royals such as the Prince and Princess of Wales will be out in force to support King Charles III and his wife at their joint coronation.
Beyond this, Queen Consort Camilla will receive assistance from her trusted royal companions. Keep scrolling to discover the royal's close friends and their unique roles ahead of the coronation…
Who are Camilla's six companions?
Camilla became Queen Consort Camilla following the heartbreaking death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The sad passing of the late Queen ushered in a number of big royal shake-ups including a drastic change to the traditional ladies-in-waiting. Back in November 2022, it was announced that Queen Consort Camilla did away with outdated ladies-in-waiting in favour of less formal "Queen's companions."
The six companions in question are dear and trusted friends of the Queen Consort. Her companions are Sarah Troughton, Jane von Westenholz, Fiona, the Marchioness of Lansdowne, Lady Katharine Brooke, Baroness Carlyn Chisholm and Lady Sarah Keswick.
Despite scrapping ladies-in-waiting, Camilla's A-team will carry out a number of crucial tasks such as supporting the Consort at official engagements. These six companions, along with her private secretary and deputy private secretary, will effectively form her royal entourage.
Meet her dedicated A-team below…
Sarah Troughton: Sarah is the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire. She is a second cousin of King Charles and was previously a lady-in-waiting to Katherine, Duchess of Kent. Her grandson, Nicholas Barclay, has recently been unveiled as one of the King's four pages of honour.
Jane von Westenholz: Jane is a close friend of the King and Queen Consort. Her daughter Violet introduced Prince Harry to Meghan Markle.
Fiona, the Marchioness of Lansdowne: Fiona is a professional interior designer and shares a close bond with Charles and Camilla. She lives at Bowood House (a Grade I listed stately home in Wiltshire) with her husband Charlie, the 9th Marquis, and their three pet pooches.
Lady Katharine Brooke: Lady Katharine is the daughter of Lady Susan Hussey – the late Queen's lady-in-waiting for more than 60 years.
Baroness Carlyn Chisholm: Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen is a British life peeress and member of the House of Lords. Prior to joining Queen Camilla's entourage, she sat in the House as a Conservative peer.
Lady Sarah Keswick: Lady Sarah Keswick is the wife to former Arsenal chairman Sir Chips Keswick. Lady Sarah is thought to be an avid sports fan and is regularly spotted in the Wimbledon royal box alongside Queen Consort Camilla.
What are their coronation roles?
While the final guestlist for Charles and Camilla's coronation is yet to be unveiled, we have a fairly good idea of who is likely to attend. The slimmed-down list – thought to include between 2,000 and 3,000 guests – will no doubt include a number of senior European royals, the UK's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, British MPs and peers, foreign heads of state and numerous religious representatives such as Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis.
Queen Consort Camilla's family and friends will also be out in force. Aside from the royal's two children Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes and her adorable grandchildren, we can expect to see Camilla's six companions attending the spectacular coronation ceremony.
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As dear friends of the Queen Consort, Camilla's 'head girls' will surely be on hand to lend their support and provide guidance on what will be a historic day in the royal family's calendar.