Prince Charles, photographed during the investiture ceremony of him becoming the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle in July 1969.

Rare photos of King Charles preparing for milestone moment released ahead of coronation

Take a look at previously unseen photos of then-Prince Charles preparing for his 1969 investiture

Royal EditorLondon

April 18, 2023Apr 18, 2023, 4:07 PM GMT+1

Ahead of his coronation at Westminster Abbey, the King has been shown preparing for another milestone event in a previously unseen set of photos.

The images, taken inside and around Windsor Castle by the celebrated fashion and royal photographer Norman Parkinson, reveal the monarch ahead of his investiture as Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle in 1969.

Then a 20-year-old Prince, the young royal can be seen in his ceremonial robes and gold coronet, holding a sword and golden rod.

The investiture ceremony took place at Caernarfon Castle in 1969

The photos also show him having powder applied to his face by Welsh model turned Vogue fashion editor Grace Coddington.

Curator Terence Pepper said: "Parkinson asked Grace Coddington, then junior fashion editor at British Vogue, to assist him on the shoot and to bring some make-up in case, he remarked, Charles came in 'flushed from the polo field'.

"Embarrassed, Coddington attempted to powder Charles with skills she'd learnt at the Cherry Marshall modelling school and in her earlier modelling career. To try and put her at ease, the Prince said to her: 'I bet you do this all the time,' while Grace admitted it was her first.

Welsh fashion model turned creative director Grace Coddington powders Prince Charles's face

"Parkinson also took a Polaroid of Coddington making up Charles' face, to which the Prince suggested: 'If you stole that picture, I bet you would make yourself a fortune.'"

Speaking in 2019, Grace said: "It was quite a moment for me to be that close to the future King of England and be powdering his nose".

In an echo of those preparations, the King has reportedly also been practising for his coronation, using staging set up in the ballroom at Buckingham Palace.

Meanwhile, watch the first rehearsal for the big day as military paraded through the quiet streets of central London in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

WATCH: Midnight coronation rehearsal sees military parade through empty London streets

LISTEN: Want to hear more about the royal family? Check out the best of 'A Right Royal Podcast'

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