King Charles' coronation at Westminster Abbey in London on May 6, 2023 will be shorter, smaller, and earlier than his mother's coronation.

Viewers of "The Crown" or students of history will remember that Prince Philip played an integral role in planning his wife Queen Elizabeth's coronation in 1952 and 1953. Seventy years later, Prince William, the eldest son of Prince Charles, is eager to help with similar tasks as the new crown prince, especially to ensure that the ceremony avoids "archaic, feudal, imperial" elements and symbolizes modern Britain, the Mirror reports.

"The planning process means the heir has an active role in the coronation for the first time in three generations," the magazine reported. (The Queen's heir, Prince Charles, attended the coronation but was not involved in its planning. When her father, King George VI, was crowned, Princess Elizabeth was only 11 years old at the time.)

In addition to actively planning her father's ceremony, William is expected to participate in the coronation itself; according to the Telegraph, "While ensuring that the importance of the occasion is captured, he will also be involved in the planning of the coronation ceremony. The Mirror writes that discussions are underway on "how to modernize and shorten the ceremony while ensuring the importance of the occasion is captured.

Buckingham Palace has not yet confirmed the members of the coronation committee, but royal sources have previously said they want Prince Charles' coronation to reflect "the climate of the times in which it takes place." Prince Charles has long been a fan of a streamlined monarchy, and his coronation will likely reflect that. In contrast to his mother's coronation, which was attended by 8,000 people at the Grand Temple, Prince Charles' coronation is expected to draw 2,000. Prince Charles' ceremony is expected to last about an hour, as opposed to three hours, and will take place only eight months after the start of his ascension to the throne.

The dress code will also be more formal, and "nobles may be allowed to wear lounge suits rather than ceremonial robes," the Mirror reported. To save time, old and time-consuming ceremonies, such as the presentation of gold ingots to the monarch, will also be abolished."

The date itself is unique, as it is also the fourth birthday of Prince Charles' grandson, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, and was apparently chosen just before the opening of Parliament. According to royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams, the date itself was chosen in consultation with "the government, the Anglican Church, and the royal family."

"The coronation will be rooted in long-standing tradition and pomp, yet reflect the role of the monarch today and look to the future," Buckingham Palace said in a statement last month.

Queen Camilla, unlike Prince Philip before her, will be crowned alongside her husband. Like the Queen's ceremony, Prince Charles' will be televised; according to the Mirror, "Palace officials have assured us that although the event will be smaller than the Queen's coronation, it will not be without pomp and pageantry."