“And it’s very difficult because a lot of people have told me they were unhappy about it.” 

During the Coronation, Princess Anne will feature in the procession as the prestigious “Gold-Stick-in-Waiting”, a position historically handed to a person entrusted with the personal safety of the sovereign.

As a “personal aide-de-camp” to His Majesty, Anne will travel on horseback behind the new King and Queen after they are crowned at Westminster Abbey on May 6.

As Charles and Camilla ride in the Gold State Coach back to Buckingham Palace, Anne will lead the larger procession featuring 6,000 armed services personnel.

The privilege dates back to the 15th century in Tudor times, when two officers – a Gold Stick and a Silver Stick, were placed close to the sovereign to protect him or her from danger.

One of the guests at the Coronation is Camilla’s former husband Andrew Parker Bowles, who was married to her for 22 years from 1973 to 1995.

Friends of the 83-year-old said he is “a bit of a rogue” and “very naughty with women”, according to a source who spoke to The Times.