Abbey urged to find room for broad church but MPs set to lose out

BUCKINGHAM Palace is pleading with Westminster Abbey to secure places for more people at the Coronation, The Sunday Telegraph has learnt.

A source suggested the King was keen to have as many attendees as possible and ways to maximise capacity are being investigated.

The King is understood to want a diverse congregation to witness the historic event and will invite representatives from his many charity affiliations and a large cross-section from the voluntary sector.

Only a small minority of politicians and peers are expected to be invited and far fewer aristocrats than the vast numbers that attended Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953.

By contrast, the King is said to be determined to reflect modern, multicultural society and ensure his ceremony is inclusive.

Alongside the many members of the public will be faith leaders, the King’s godchildren and both current and former prime ministers. Foreign royals and world leaders will also join the extended Royal family for the occasion.

While the source acknowledged they would come nowhere close to the 8,000-plus capacity of the late Queen’s coronation, they said they were “hoping to get a few more in”,

The source added: “There are ongoing conversations and we are working out how best to accommodate as many as possible.”

Just 20 MPs and 20 peers are expected to be invited and this has led to dismay among politicians. It is still under discussion whether the 20 places allocated for MPs will have to accommodate Cabinet ministers.

The figure does not include former prime ministers who are believed to have been allocated separate spaces, although it is not known if they will be allowed to bring spouses.

“Of course there will be some senior MPs who do not get spaces,” a source familiar with the plans said.

“There will be some real anger about who will be dumped out the door.

“I’m not aiming at Liz [Truss], but when you’ve only done a few weeks as prime minister…it will be a nightmare.

“For the last coronation they built inside of Westminster Abbey to take 8,000 people – but now it can only take about 2,000. The palace has asked them to look at the numbers again and see if they can squeeze anyone else in.”

They added that if any extra places are found, it is expected that the Palace will want to allocate them to either foreign dignitaries or charity leaders, rather than more politicians.

Government sources have already admitted they are expecting dissent in the ranks.

Buckingham Palace yesterday declined to comment.