The Coronation of Their Majesties on May 6th 2023 saw thousands of guests at Westminster Abbey in London, including Asian Royals who were fabulously dressed.
King Charles invited approximately 2,200 guests including Asian royalty to witness his Coronation at Westminster Abbey in London. It is usually princes and princesses who attend, but The King actually broke tradition by inviting reigning kings and queens to his coronation. The addition was welcomed by global royal watchers as they now had the added glamour of Asian royals in their splendour on an international stage.
Bhutan’s ‘Dragon King’ and Queen Jetrun Pema wore traditional outfits for the historic event. Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema arrived in London ahead of the Coronation of their Majesties. The Bhutanese royals looked very elegant in their traditional purple outfits when they arrived at Westminster Abbey. King Jigme Khesar opted for a traditional Bhutanese gho (a knee-length robe tied at the waist). Queen Jetsun Pema looked very stylish in an ethnic kira (an ankle-length dress with rectangular pieces of woven fabric. It was reported by Town and Country that in 2011 they met then Prince Charles and Camilla and while they never met Queen Elizabeth they attended her funeral in September 2022. The King and Queen welcomed Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2016 to Bhutan.
Brunei’s Head of State, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah who was accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Mateen attended the coronation ceremony.
Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko attended the Coronation since according to Japan Times, Emperor Naruhito does not attend Coronations of foreign royals, which is in line with Japanese royal custom. For the Coronation, Crown Princess Kiko wore a light beige kimono with a patterned obi in Japanese traditional clothing and carried a matching clutch bag while she wore conventional geta sandals. Japanese Crown Prince Akishino wore a smart three-piece suit with a white button-up shirt, grey tie and pinstripe trousers.
Yang di Pertuan Agong Al Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al Mustafa Billah Shah wore the military ceremonial uniform of the nation on the big day. Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah wore a yellow modern baju kurung, which she had designed herself for her coronation ceremony in 2019. Malay Mail states that they are the first Malaysian heads of state to attend the Coronation of a UK monarch.
Thailand’s King Masha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida arrived ahead of the Coronation in London. Harper’s Bazaar named Thai Queen Suthida as one of the best foreign-dressed Royals to attend the Coronation. Her blue outfit with a yellow sash, black box bag, diamond and sapphire jewellery and silver heels had fashion pundits giving her a standing ovation. The King perfectly complemented his wife in a black and yellow military uniform. The event marked the first time that Thailand’s King and Queen attended a foreign royal coronation, reports Khaosod English. It was also the first official visit to a foreign nation after King Vajiralongkorn’s coronation in 2019.
