‘My heart sank when summoned by King Charles – but then he asked me a surprising question’
Anne Tennant, Baroness Glenconner, a peeress who wrote a piece about King Charles’ Coronation in 2023, thought she was “in trouble” when the message first arrived
Lady Glenconner received a summons from King Charles
(Image: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
A peeress whose heart “sank” when she received a summons from King Charles has revealed how the monarch asked her a surprising four-word question. Anne Tennant, Baroness Glenconner, a 93-year-old peeress and socialite who was selected as one of the maids of honour at the Coronation of the late Queen Elizabeth II, thought she was “in trouble” when the message first arrived.
The moment came after Lady Glenconner wrote about Charles’ Coronation in May 2023, having had the privilege of attending both the current monarch’s ceremony and that of her childhood friend, Elizabeth.
Initially, Anne’s “heart sank” when she heard that Buckingham Palace wanted to speak to her — she feared the worst — but it ultimately resulted in a dinner invitation from the King.
She told The Mail’s Richard Eden: “I got a call from my daughter, Amy. She said, ‘Buckingham Palace wants to get in touch with you’, so my heart sank because I thought I was in trouble.”
Lady Glenconner thought she was “in trouble” when the message first arrived
(Image: Getty Images)
Instead, Lady Glenconner was invited to a “one-on-one dinner”, during which the monarch put a question to her about the royal occasion. She explained: “He looked at me and said, ‘How was it, Anne?’ I said, ‘Magnificent, sir, but different’,” adding that it “had to be”.
Just one day after the Coronation on May 7 that year, the Mail published a first-person account by Lady Glenconner, in which she described the royal proceedings.
In one segment, she wrote: “The historical heart of the service, the anointing of the new monarch with holy oil, was the same solemn ritual it has always been.
“The King was divested of his robes and wore just a simple shift for this private and sacred moment, which took place, away from the public gaze and TV cameras, behind screens.”
Lady Glenconner, who also penned the memoirs Lady in Waiting and Whatever Next?, concluded her piece by detailing how guests “waved like mad” as the new King and Queen made their exit.
Lady Glenconner was invited to a “one-on-one dinner” with Charles
(Image: Getty Images)
She wrote: “We all waved like mad as our dear new King and Queen left in their very uncomfortable gold coach — but I had to wait until I got home to sit down and enjoy a stiff vodka and tonic.”
In other news, King Charles is expected to lead tributes marking what would have been his mother’s 100th birthday on April 21. As part of the commemorations, the King will address the nation and celebrate her life.
Charles and Camilla will also host a reception at the palace for representatives from organisations and charities with links to the late Queen, with insiders claiming that the King’s written tribute will highlight Elizabeth’s achievements.
It is also expected to include a video montage featuring clips from the late Queen’s Auxiliary Territorial Service service during World War II, alongside footage from her tours and engagements.
