Prince Albert of Monaco will be the first European king to confirm his attendance at King Charles’ coronation later this year.
Monaco’s crown prince, 64, spoke affectionately of the British king ahead of his coronation on May 6, calling him “a very learned man and someone with a great sense of humour”.
Speaking to PEOPLE, Albert confirmed he and his wife Princess Charlene would be attending, adding: “I’m sure it will be an incredible ceremony and a very moving one.”
The event will be among the most high-profile Charlene has attended since her recent illness, which saw her spend 11 months away from the Mediterranean principality in her native South Africa and undergoing treatment for an unspecified condition.
Prince Albert described King Charles as “a very learned man and someone with a great sense of humor”.
Albert added: “We have kept in touch since His Majesty became King, but I have not spoken to him personally since the Queen’s funeral.”
The Prince, who is looking forward to attending the King’s coronation, added: “I’m sure His Majesty will add his own ‘personal touch’ to the ceremonies, but I’m not sure what that will be. ‘
Prince Albert went on to reveal that he and his wife Princess Charlene will definitely be present at the ceremony to see the King’s coronation, but their 8-year-old twins Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella may be “too young”.
News of the couple’s participation comes after Prince Albert praised his wife, Princess Charlene, for turning it “incredibly” after a protracted health battle.
Prince Albert announced that he and his wife Princess Charlene will definitely be present at the ceremony to see the king’s coronation
In December, the 64-year-old King told People he was “really proud of my wife,” adding, “Charlene is doing really well.”
He continued, “As you know, last year was a very tough year for her — and the beginning of this year.”
Albert added that after being admitted to a Swiss treatment facility for exhaustion and staying out of the limelight, Charlene, 44, “has been active in a variety of different events.”
He highlighted a number of events the former Olympic swimmer has been spotted at recently, including a recent trip to the Red Cross branch in Monaco.
Prince Albert (right) said he has kept in touch with His Majesty (left) but has not spoken to him since the Queen’s funeral
“She really enjoys doing things together and with the kids, so this year ends on a very, very high note. We’re really excited about the way things are,” said Albert.
King Charles has been Britain’s monarch since early September, when his beloved mother, the Queen, died at Balmoral.
Charlene and Albert both attended the funeral and were among a number of European royals to do so.
While he became king immediately after Her Majesty’s death, Charles’s coronation will not take place until May.
Charlene and Albert both attended the funeral and were among a number of European royals to do so (pictured together at the event).
The King’s coronation at Westminster Abbey will be a historic event, with regalia and highly symbolic ceremonies not seen in 70 years.
The Queen’s coronation took place almost 70 years earlier on June 2, 1953, but she was actually crowned in February of the previous year after the death of her father George VI. monarch.
Charles is crowned alongside Camilla, the Queen Consort.
The occasion is expected to be a smaller affair than the late Queen’s ceremony.
A Buckingham Palace statement said in October: “The coronation will reflect the role of the monarch today and look to the future, while being rooted in long-standing traditions and pageantry.”
It added: “The coronation is a solemn service, together with an occasion for celebration and pageantry.
“The ceremony has maintained a similar structure for over a thousand years, and this year’s coronation is expected to incorporate the same core elements while acknowledging the spirit of our time.
“For 900 years, the ceremony has taken place in Westminster Abbey in London. Since 1066 the service has almost always been officiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury.’
In contrast to the Queen’s coronation, the Mail had announced earlier on Sunday that the service will last just over an hour, instead of more than three.
The guest list could also be cut from 8,000 to 2,000 and a looser dress code has been discussed.