When the Queen’s coronation took place in 1953 seating areas in Westminster Abbey were extended to make room for more than 8,000 guests.

The coronation of King Charles is a much smaller affair with room for just over 2,200 people and among them will be these people from Kent…

The Archbishop of Canterbury The Most Rev Justin Welby

King Charles will be crowned king in a service at Westminster Abbey officiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.

Mr Welby is expected to be among the first to greet the King when his carriage pulls up at the Abbey, he will start the service and will also hold the extremely important role of anointing both monarchs ahead of saying final prayers.

In a new addition to the service the Archbishop will also be involved in inviting the public to pledge their allegiance to the new king.

The Bishop of Dover Rt Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin

Three of the UK’s highest ranking female clerics will play important roles in Saturday’s ceremony.

In 1953, at the time of the previous coronation, women could not be ordained into the Church of England, making their involvement in King Charles’s coronation particularly significant.

The Bishop of Dover will be among those presenting regalia to Camilla, Queen Consort with the Rt Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin responsible for the Queen Consort’s Rod.

Bishop Hudson-Wilkin said: “I am surprised, excited and honoured to have been asked to play a part in this historic once in a lifetime occasion. As I make my presentation, both their Majesties will remain in my prayers as they seek to serve the nation and the Commonwealth.”

HM Lord Lieutenant of Kent The Lady Colgrain

The King's personal representative in Kent is Lady Annabel Colgrain. She was appointed to her role in April 2020 by his mother the Queen on the advice of the then prime minister.

Lady Colgrain, who lives near Sevenoaks, had previously served as a Deputy Lieutenant in the county since 2012.

Kelly Tolhurst MP

Kelly Tolhurst, Member of Parliament for Rochester and Strood, confirmed on Facebook and Twitter that she had been lucky enough to get an invite to one of the biggest ever state occasions.

She wrote: “It is a real privilege to be one of the few Members of Parliament and Privy Counsellors who were drawn in the ballot to attend the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

“It really is an incredible honour to have received an invitation to the coronation being held in Westminster Abbey and to be able to attend representing our constituency of Rochester & Strood.”

Tom Tugendhat MP

Tom Tugendhat has been heavily involved in coronation preparations in his role as security minister.

The MP for Tonbridge and Malling says the police and security services have been preparing for months for one of the most important and complex security operations in UK history.

In an interview with Sky News this week the MP appeared to confirm that alongside his role behind the scenes, he too would be attending Saturday’s service at 11am.

Dame Kelly Holmes

Olympic medallist Dame Kelly Holmes has said she has been given an invitation to the King’s coronation.

Dame Kelly, who lives in Hildenborough near Tonbridge, is honorary colonel of the Royal Armoured Corps Training Regiment.

The former athlete revealed in April - while attending a red carpet event - that she expected to be involved in proceedings in London but wasn’t yet clear on her exact role.

Kent’s Barons of the Cinque Ports

Coronation invitations have been extended to Kent’s coastal towns which make up some of the 14 members of the Confederation of Cinque Ports.

This historic group of towns in south-east England, including 11 in Kent, was originally formed for military and trade purposes but now performs a ceremonial role.

Current spearker, Jim Martin, Mayor of Hythe said: “In the past the Barons of the Cinque Ports had the right to hold a canopy above a new monarch at their coronation, although this has not been done since the coronation of King George IV. The title of Baron is solely honorary in nature.

“I am absolutely delighted that the tradition of Cinque Ports Barons attending a coronation will continue, and that 14 ‘Barons’ – actually representatives of the 14 members of the Confederation of Cinque Ports, in most cases the mayors – are being invited to the coronation of His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen Consort at Westminster abbey on Saturday.

“I am very proud to be representing the Cinque Ports, with the 13 other Barons, and am thrilled that we can continue to carry on this ancient tradition.”

Kent’s representatives are:

*Councillor Jim Martin representing Hythe

*Councillor Nicola Keen representing Folkestone

*Councillor Martin Sweeney representing Lydd

*Councillor Paul Thomas representing New Romney

*Councillor Heather Keen representing Margate

*Councillor Steve Albon representing Ramsgate

*Councillor Gordon Cowan representing Dover

*Councillor Trevor Martin representing Faversham

*Councillor John Crawford representing Tenterden

*Councillor Jeff Franklin representing Sandwich

*Councillor Christopher Turner representing Deal

Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry

While much of Saturday’s guest list has been kept under wraps there are some suggestions popstar Katy Perry and her Canterbury-born boyfriend Orlando Bloom could be among the congregation.

In 2020 Katy Perry was appointed by the then Prince of Wales, to be an ambassador for the British Asian Trust working specifically on issues surrounding child trafficking.

She is also set to perform in Sunday night’s Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle – perhaps making the couple’s attendance in London even more likely?