Royalty, world leaders, and a number of Indian community workers involved with the monarch's charitable endeavors over the years as Prince of Wales will be among the 2,200 attendees at Westminster Abbey in London on Saturday for King Charles III's Coronation, according to Buckingham Palace.
An architect focusing on sustainability, a self-made consultant, and an aspiring chef are among the Indians who will be sitting in the Abbey with Heads of State and Government, according to a sneak peek of the guest list released on Monday evening.
Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar is anticipated to represent India during the grand event, which will include golden carriages and regalia similar to those seen when Charles' late mother, Elizbeth II, was proclaimed queen in June 1953, which happened 70 years ago.
Members of the royal family will attend, as will delegates from 203 nations, including almost 100 Heads of State, as well as community and charity leaders, according to Buckingham Palace.
Sourabh Phadke, a graduate of the Prince's Foundation's Building Craft Program and the Prince's Foundation School of Traditional Arts, which Charles as the Prince of Wales founded in Dumfries House, Scotland, with a vision to offer comprehensive solutions to challenges facing the world, will be one of them.
Phadke was a member of the group of students that finished the “live build” of the summerhouse in the center of the walled garden at Hillsborough Castle in 2018–19.
In a statement, the palace said that Sourabh, now 37, “led a nomadic existence before coming to study at Dumfries House. He moved from one community to another to lead education in science and social studies and used his architecture degree and skills in earthbuilding to help communities plan and build housing and school facilities.”
Gulfsha, who received the Prince's Trust Global Award in 2022 in recognition of her exceptional determination and achievements demonstrated through her participation in the charity's Get Into program in India, is one of the other young people connected to the former Prince of Wales' charitable initiatives who were invited to his coronation as King.
Gulfsha completed the Get Into program she had heard about in college, which was provided by The Prince's Trust International partner Magic Bus India Foundation. Gulfsha developed a variety of professional skills via online learning, and she was successful in her first job interview. She now provides cost estimates for building projects while working for a consultant, according to the palace.
Jay Patel, who is of Indian descent and is from Canada, is also one of the guests invited to the Abbey on Saturday in recognition of finishing the Prince's Trust Canada's Youth Employment program in May 2022.
“Jay acquired useful skills and was able to find a position as a chef at Toronto's famed CN Tower, one of the city's most recognizable monuments. Jay is enthusiastic about encouraging others to discover the same sort of support system that helped him succeed as he works to become a chef, the palace said.
400 young people from charity organizations chosen by the King and Queen Camilla and the UK government will witness the Coronation Service and Processions from within St. Margaret's Church at Westminster Abbey in addition to the visitors sitting in the Abbey.
Members of Parliament, previous British Prime Ministers, clergymen and other religious leaders, military personnel, Nobel Prize winners, and recipients of the British Empire Medal (BEM) are all expected to attend.
There will also be a number of famous people in attendance, including Kelly Jones, the lead vocalist of the band Stereophonics, and American singer-songwriter Lionel Ritchie, who is an ambassador for the Prince's Trust.
