Coronation invite design contains secret nod to Queen Elizabeth, says King’s former butler

INVITATIONS to the King’s coronation are “golden tickets” that feature a secret nod to the late Queen Elizabeth II, according to the King’s former butler.

Grant Harrold told GB News: “The reality is, believe it or not, a lot of close friends who are involved with the Royal Family, they haven’t received them and it’s not a surprise because obviously the late Queen’s coronation was attended by over 10,000 people. This one is 2,000.

“I think they’re going to be like finding hen’s teeth, there’s going to be very few of them around. I think if you get that golden ticket, it’s going to be quite exciting.

Asked about the design of the invitation cards, he told Mark Longhurst that the inclusion of the Green Man symbolises a new beginning.

He said: “I was based at Highgrove and there’s three of these green men which symbolise re-birth and Spring – it’s showing a new reign.

“I’ve also noticed some forget-me-nots in there as well and I wondered if that was the nod to the late Queen, I don’t think anyone has actually spotted that yet.

“They were a favourite of the Queen’s, and of the King’s as well. So I have a feeling that a little nod to the late Queen as well, a lot of thought has gone into these invitations.”

Asked about the non-appearance of US president Joe Biden, Mr Harrold said: “Eisenhower didn’t attend, if you go further back, George VI, Roosevelt didn’t attend, so it’s not unusual.

“They don’t attend, maybe for historical reasons you can say, but I think it’s just obviously that tradition carried on.

“It’s quite nice that obviously the First Lady is going to attend. It’s, I think the thing people get confused with with royal coronations, even in the past, not all Kings and Queens have attended these coronations.

“It’s been so long that we’ve all forgotten what it’s like to take part in a coronation, so these are all things we’re going to learn about over the coming weeks.”