Queen Camilla’s grandsons Gus and Louis Lopes and Queen Elizabeth II‘s lady-in-waiting Lady Susan Hussey were among VIPs arriving at Buckingham Palace today.
The twin 13-year-old boys are the sons of Laura Lopes, who is the daughter of Camilla and Andrew Parker Bowles, and the stepdaughter of King Charles III.
Also seen walking into the Palace was Lady Susan, who was a member of Elizabeth II’s inner circle for more than 60 years until Her Majesty’s death last September.
They were seen ahead of major road closures in Central London which will begin this afternoon as preparations and rehearsals continue ahead of the Coronation.
Westminster Bridge, the Victoria Embankment into Upper Thames Street and an area around Waterloo station will all be shut from 4pm today until 9am tomorrow.
Lady Susan Hussey, lady-in-waiting for Queen Elizabeth II, arrives at Buckingham Palace today
Gus Lopes and Louis Lopes, grandsons of Queen Camilla, arrive at Buckingham Palace today
Rehearsals for the King’s Coronation take place at RAF Odiham in Hampshire today
HMS Diamond passes the Thames Barrier in London today. The Royal Navy Type 45 air-defence destroyer later arrived in Greenwich and will remain for the duration of the Coronation
Transport for London has placed large crowns on top of some bus stops on Oxford Street
This area will widen to cover roads around St James’s Park, Westminster, Waterloo and Charing Cross Tube stations from 7pm this evening – again until 9am tomorrow.
There will then be a further raft of ‘significant’ closures across a wider area from 7pm this Friday which will run until 9pm on Saturday, the day of the ceremony.
With millions of people set to be in London, Network Rail has warned passengers to ‘allow extra time and check live updates’, while the RAC has urged all drivers to ‘check tyres, oil and coolant levels as matters of priority before they hit the road’.
Elsewhere, rehearsals for the Coronation continued today as photographs showed members of the military practising on the runway at RAF Odiham in Hampshire.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport sent letters on April 21 to all residents and businesses who will be affected by road closures over the coming days.
Localised traffic restrictions in the Westminster area have been in force since April 3
Road closures in the Westminster area will be in place for Coronation preparations between today at 4pm (in blue) and today at 7pm (in red) until tomorrow at 9pm (for both)
Road closures in Central London for this Friday from 7pm until late on Saturday – the day before the Coronation and the day itself – cover a much wider area of the capital across 85 roads
Vehicles including cars, buses, coaches, vans, trucks, motorbike and bicycles will not be allowed into the restricted event areas once closures are in place.
The letter sent by DCMS said the restrictions from today until tomorrow ‘will be implemented to support with essential preparations for the event’.
It added that pedestrian paths will not be affected, but some crossing points may be closed temporarily and cycle paths will be restricted while the closures are in place.
The letter also said that ‘works and activities including the playing of military music may be audible at various times, including overnight’ but added: ‘Every effort will be taken to minimise any disturbance to you.’
The hugely-anticipated ceremony itself is on Saturday, with viewing areas along the procession route opening from 6am before Charles and Camilla set off from Buckingham Palace at 10.20am for the service at Westminster Abbey at 11am.
Localised restrictions have been in force since April 3 but the majority of closures will be from Friday as London tries to cope with the huge influx of visitors.
The event restrictions for the ceremony itself will begin at 7pm this Friday, which DCMS said ‘will be implemented to support with the safe delivery of the event’.
These road closures will be wider than those for today and tomorrow, covering areas around Green Park and Piccadilly Circus stations.
Cycleway 3 will be closed between Wellington Arch and Birdcage Walk, while pedestrian restrictions within the event footprint will come into effect from as early as 5am on Saturday until no later than 5pm that day.
Plans for the event have been organised by Transport for London, whose chairman is Sadiq Khan, along with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport; City of London; Westminster City Council; London Borough of Lambeth; Metropolitan Police; British Transport Police; London Ambulance Service; and London Fire Brigade.
Westminster Abbey shut its doors to visitors following the Anzac Day ceremony attended by Prince William last Tuesday, and is being prepared for the Coronation.
Westminster City Council officials have insisted that access to homes and workplaces will be maintained throughout the road closures.
They said: ‘If challenged, please support the police and stewarding teams on the ground by providing clear information about the property you are trying to access.
‘To assist with this, you and your guests or staff are advised to travel with proof of address, a staff pass or an official invite to your property.’
The council also said: ‘The roads and parks around central London will be affected by significant road closures and parking suspensions on May 5 and 6.’
Preparations for Saturday’s event began in November – with roughly one month of planning going into every hour the military will be on parade.
Westminster Abbey will take centre stage when the King is crowned at midday during the coronation ceremony.
The service will begin at 11am and will continue until 1pm when the newly crowned King and Queen embark on their coronation procession back to Buckingham Palace in the Gold State Coach.
Union flags along The Mall outside Buckingham Palace yesterday ahead of the Coronation
The view from the media platform on the Queen Victoria Memorial in London yesterday
The view of seating from the media platform on the Queen Victoria Memorial yesterday
Royal fans can tune into the entire spectacle, which will be shown live by the BBC.
Viewers can look out for heads of state, overseas government representatives, Government ministers, first ministers, former prime ministers, foreign royals and members of the royal family among the congregation.
After arriving back at the palace, Charles and Camilla will receive a royal salute from the military in the palace gardens.
This will be followed by a balcony moment when Charles and Camilla will be joined by other members of the royal family to watch a flypast.
