Disney’s Big Ties to the King’s Coronation

“It’s coronation day!”

And no, we don’t mean for Elsa. Today, May 6, marks the coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey, a huge day for the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.

Guests included the British royal family, foreign dignitaries, world powers, and Disney stars Dame Emma Thompson, Dame Joanna Lumley, and Dame Judi Dench, but those aren’t the only Disney ties to the King’s coronation. Let’s dive into this real-life Disney fairytale day!

He “Just Can’t Wait To Be King”

Music is a very important part of The Walt Disney Company, from its animated movies, Broadway musicals, and theme park soundtracks.

And a coronation is no different. The King’s coronation featured a celebration of British old and new, including anthems by Handel, Parry, and Byrd and several other works personally commissioned by King Charles, with solo performances from Sir Bryn Terfel, Pretty Yende, and Roderick Williams. The Coronation Orchestra was made up of the Philharmonia, Royal Philharmonic, Royal Opera House Orchestras, and more.

Just like a Disney movie, in a historic first, the complete coronation will be recorded and released as an album on the day of the ceremony.

West End legend Andrew Lloyd Webber has also composed a new Coronation Anthem, ‘Make a Joyful Noise.’ Though Lloyd Webber has not composed a Disney movie soundtrack, he has collaborated with Tim Rice on Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Evita.

Tim Rice won Oscars for his work with Elton John in The Lion King (1994) and Alan Menken in Aladdin (1992 ) – and it would have seemed fitting for a children’s choir to belt out the Disney classic ‘I Just Can’t Wait To Be King’ at Westminster Abbey for King Charles III!

Prince Harry’s Disney World Connection

Walt Disney World will also have a direct connection with the royal family. It was back in 1993 when Prince Harry visited the theme parks with his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, and brother, Prince William, now Prince of Wales.

Princess Diana took her sons to Walt Disney World for three days on a Disney vacation that Prince Harry told Good Morning America holds “very, very happy memories” for him.

After the controversy of his recent Netflix series Harry & Meghan and autobiography Spare, both of which have resulted in debated opinions on Meghan, the British Royals, and the new King Charles, the Duke of Sussex has revealed many personal stories relating to his life as a “spare” heir of the British throne. It appears one of his “happy memories” lies in Walt Disney World, particularly, on the recently closed Disney attraction Splash Mountain.

Back in May 2016, Prince Harry returned to Magic Kingdom after attending the U.S. vs. U.K. sitting volleyball match at the Invictus Games, held at the nearby ESPN World Wide of Sports Complex.

Maybe one day we’ll see Harry and William reconcile and visit Walt Disney World together on a trip to remember their 1993 trip with Diana, alongside Princess Catherine, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and cheeky Prince Louis.

What’s clear, though, is that Splash Mountain has a special place in Prince Harry and Prince William’s hearts. Prince Harry went home to Los Angeles after the coronation to be home for Archie’s birthday – perhaps they ended up in the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim?

Cinderella’s Carriage

Notice anything familiar in the royal procession down the Mall in London?

Like a real-life fairytale, King Charles III and Queen Camilla were taken from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace a horse-drawn carriage, a masterpiece of 18th-century extravagance. Doesn’t it look like Cinderella’s wedding coach from the animated movie Cinderella (1950)? A carriage fit for a Disney King and Queen indeed!

The new King actually had two coaches for his coronation day: the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, and the Gold State Coach. Britain’s Gold State Coach was commissioned by King George III (think Hamilton) in 1760 and has been used at every coronation since William IV’s in 1831. It is constructed of giltwood and decorated with gold carvings, and Rocco paintings. The inside is lined with satin and velvet.

Despite its magical Disney-like appearance, the coach is apparently not very comfortable. Queen Elizabeth II said, “It’s not meant for traveling in at all.” She described the ride in the coach on her coronation day in 1953 as “horrible.”

The Diamond Jubilee State Coach, however, has modern amenities including air conditioning, heating, power windows, and suspension. It was presented to Queen Elizabeth II in 2012 to celebrate her then 60-year reign.

The DeSantis Clause

Things have escalated recently in the feud between Disney and Ron DeSantis, with Disney last week filing to sue the Florida Governor.

The Florida Republican signed a bill last year to dissolve the Lake Buena Vista Resort’s special treatment in the state after Disney opposed the state’s “Parental Rights in Education Bill.”

The conflict between Disney and DeSantis rapidly evolved in the aftermath of a Central Florida governing board ensuring Disney would keep a large degree of its power. In a quiet move, the former Reedy Creek Development board signed its power back to Disney before leaving office, a binding declaration that doesn’t expire until England’s monarchy dies out.

The term of the agreement used the “Rule Against Perpetuities” — which states that the policy will continue “until twenty-one (21) years after the death of the last survivor of the descendants of King Charles III.” The agreement severely handicaps the Ron DeSantis-appointed board of the new Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board.

With most of King Charles’ direct descendants in attendance, including the yawning Prince Louis, the longevity of the British royal family was really on show to DeSantis.

Disney may not have orchestrated the coronation or written the joyous music, but there were so many Disney touches and magical moments that we couldn’t help but think we were watching a Disney movie!