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UPDATE: Polish president, first lady to attend King Charles' coronation in London

05.05.2023 11:30
The Polish presidential couple will attend the coronation of Britain's King Charles III in London on Saturday, an aide has confirmed.
Audio
King Charles will be crowned at Westminster Abbey in London on Saturday in a religious ceremony conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
King Charles will be crowned at Westminster Abbey in London on Saturday in a religious ceremony conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury.Photo: EPA/CATHAL MCNAUGHTON

Poland's President Andrzej Duda and First Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda are expected to take part in the high-profile event alongside dignitaries from around the world, according to Marcin Przydacz, a top foreign policy aide to the Polish head of state.

While in London for the coronation, the Polish president will meet with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for talks on political and economic issues as well as international security, Przydacz said on Thursday.

He added that there were also plans for Duda to hold talks with other international officials.

The Polish presidential couple will begin their visit to London with a reception hosted by King Charles at Buckingham Palace on Friday for heads of state and official overseas guests, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

King Charles will be crowned at Westminster Abbey in the British capital on Saturday in a religious ceremony conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, news outlets have reported.

The coronation of the 74-year-old monarch comes after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and will mark Charles' official ascension to the throne.

Buckingham Palace has said that the ceremony “will reflect the monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry,” US broadcaster CNN has reported.

The Polish president in mid-February met with King Charles at Buckingham Palace in London to discuss humanitarian assistance to war-torn Ukraine, according to reports at the time.

Poland's President Andrzej Duda (right) and Britain's King Charles III (left) shake hands as they meet at Buckingham Palace in London on Friday. Poland's President Andrzej Duda (right) and Britain's King Charles III (left) shake hands as they meet at Buckingham Palace in London on February 17, 2023. Photo: Yui Mok/PAP/PA Wire

In March, Duda met with Britain's Prince William at the presidential palace in Warsaw to discuss more help for Ukraine.

Polish President Andrzej Duda (right) and Britain's Prince William (left) meet in Warsaw on Thursday, March 23, 2023. Polish President Andrzej Duda (right) and Britain's Prince William (left) meet in Warsaw on March 23, 2023. Photo: Polish President's Office/KPRP

Friday is day 436 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

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Source: IAR, polskieradio24.plPAPCNN

Click on the audio player above to listen to a report by Radio Poland's Ada Janiszewska.