The Duke of Norfolk - who will mastermind King Charles’s coronation ceremony - was quietly issued 'quick' a knighthood just hours before the Queen's funeral.
King Charles III issued his first Knighthood a mere 10 days after inheriting the throne from his mother.
The 18th Duke of Norfolk, the most senior peer in Britain, was given the accolade by the new monarch despite the Knighthood being decided by Queen Elizabeth II while she was still alive.
While the announcement was made in her Birthday honours list in June, no ceremony has yet taken place. This meant that that the Duke was not entitled to wear his Royal Victorian Order, GCVO, medal at her funeral on September 19.
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Getty Images)However, a day before the state funeral itself, the new King found a small glimpse of time to issue the insignia and carry out the accolade, known as ‘dubbing’. The historical rite of passage involved Charles placing a sword on each of the shoulders of Duke, in recognition and praise for his work as Earl Marshal of the Royal Household.
Speaking about why it was done, a source told the Daily Mail : "The dubbing is what actually makes you a knight.
"The King had to have given it to him along with a sash for him to be dressed properly at the funeral the following day."
The knighthood ceremony itself was described by a source as a 'quickie', for reportedly being taken place in a back room of Buckingham Palace, in London.
While the symbolism of the insignia was issued, the ceremony is yet to take place in the court circular.
The Queen was said to be personally fond of The Duke of Norfolk and passed away before she had the chance to complete the process of knighting her friend, who is known simply as Eddie to companions.
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PA)Although, during the ten day mourning period leading up to the Queen's funeral, eagle-eyed fans spotted that the Duke was not wearing his GCVO cross at any of the events - but he did however wear it at the funeral itself, alongside other medals.
It comes after the Duke of Norfolk has been slapped with a driving ban after he confessed to running a red light and failed to appeal it in a secret court hearing by claiming he needed to drive because he had King Charles' coronation to organise.
The 65-year-old Duke, who planned the Queen's funeral, was hauled to court over an offence which took place in Wandsworth, London on April 7.
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PA)The peer was caught running a red light whilst on his mobile phone when he cut across police and has now been banned from getting behind the wheel for six months.
The highest-ranking duke in England initially denied the offences - but at court admitted to not paying attention to the road and instead using his phone to contact his wife.
Edward Fitzalan-Howard, the 18th Duke of Norfolk, then threw everything he could at an appeal claiming he needed his car to help the upcoming king's coronation run smoothly.
An official date for the coronation is yet to be announced but it believed to be planned for spring or summer 2023. Then, The King will be crowned alongside his Queen Consort, Camilla.
It is expected that the coronation of King Charles III will be designed in line with his vision for a smaller, more modern monarchy. Reportedly, the ceremony will be shorter, smaller and less expensive than that of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Mirror has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment.
