Asian royals who dazzled at King Charles’ coronation, from Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and son, to Bhutan’s ‘Dragon King’ and Queen Jetsun Pema, and monarchs from Japan, Malaysia and Thailand
King Charles invited around 2,200 guests to witness his coronation at Westminster Abbey, London, on May 6. The coronation forms part of a religious ceremony that has remained largely unchanged for over 1,000 years.
Read on to discover who attended and truly left an impression.
1. Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema
Town and Country reports that while they never met Queen Elizabeth, they did attend her funeral in September 2022. They also met then-Prince Charles and Camilla in 2011. Most famously, the king and queen welcomed Prince William and Kate Middleton to Bhutan in 2016.
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2. Brunei’s head of state, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Prince Abdul Mateen
The Borneo Bulletin reports that Brunei and the UK have shared a “special” and “long-standing” relationship over the years. The sultan said he hoped Charles and Camilla would further develop strong bonds and bilateral cooperation between the countries.
3. Crown Prince Akishino of Japan and Crown Princess Kiko
Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko made their first official visit to Britain to attend the coronation. It was also their first time attending a foreign royal’s coronation. According to Japan Times, Emperor Naruhito does not attend foreign royal coronations, which is in line with Japanese royal custom.
In 1953, the then-Crown Prince Akihito, now the Emperor Emeritus, attended the coronation of Queen Elizabeth. Emperor Naruhito attend the queen’s funeral last year.
Princess Kiko wore a light beige kimono with a patterned obi. She also had a matching clutch bag and wore traditional geta sandals. The prince opted for a three-piece suit with a white button-up shirt, grey tie and pinstripe trousers.
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4. Yang di Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong, the monarchs of Malaysia
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah attended the coronation ceremony as well. Al-Sultan Abdullah wore the nation’s military ceremonial uniform on the big day. Tunku Azizah wore a yellow modern baju kurung, which she herself designed for her coronation ceremony in 2019. They are the first Malaysian heads of state to attend a UK monarch’s coronation ceremony, reports Malay Mail.
5. Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida
The event marked the first time Thailand’s king and queen attended a foreign royal coronation, reports Khaosod English. It was also the first official visit to a foreign country after King Vajiralongkorn’s coronation in 2019. Harper’s Bazaar named Queen Suthida one of the best foreign-dressed royals at the coronation.
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Her blue outfit with a yellow sash, black box bag, silver heels and diamond-and-sapphire jewellery had fashion pundits giving her a standing ovation. The king wore a black-and-yellow military uniform, perfectly complementing his wife.
- The coronation of King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla saw thousands of guests at Westminster Abbey in London on May 6, including Asian royals who dressed fabulously, from Japan to Malaysia
- Thai Queen Suthida was named one of the best foreign-dressed royals by the media, while Bhutan’s ‘Dragon King’ and Queen Jetsun Pema wore traditional outfits to the monumental event