King Charles III coronation ceremony: Princess Anne has one of the ...

Princess Anne is the second child and only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and the only sister of King Charles III. She has one of the most important jobs in the Coronation, known as the “Gold-Stick-In-Waiting”.
Princess Anne, 72, will be responsible for the monarch’s personal safety, notes Express UK. She will lead the grand royal procession from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace on its return journey. Princess Anne will ride on horseback behind King Charles and Queen Camilla, who will ride in the Gold State Carriage.

She will lead 6,000 armed services personnel back to Buckingham Palace.

Speaking about the role in an interview with CBC, Anne said: “I haven’t asked too many questions. I have a role as Colonel of the Blues and Royals in the Household Cavalry regiment as Gold Stick. And Gold Stick was the original close protection officer. So that is a role I was asked if I’d like to do for this coronation, so I said yes. Not least of all, it solves my dress problem.”

The role of Gold-Stick-In-Waiting dates back to the 15th Century, when two rods – one gold and one silver – would be placed on the monarch to protect them from danger. At present, these roles are used only for certain royal events.

May 6 marks the day King Charles III will become Britain’s first king since his grandfather King George VI.