The internet is abuzz with memes after weather forecasts predicted rain in London on the day of King Charles III’s coronation. The event, scheduled for Saturday, May 6th, will see Charles crowned alongside his wife, Queen Camilla, at Westminster Abbey, followed by a grand procession through the city, culminating in a Buckingham Palace balcony appearance and an Royal Air Force flypast.
However, the predicted rain showers have sparked a wave of online humor, with many users referencing Princess Diana, Charles’ first wife, and the turbulent end of their marriage.
A Rain of Memes
The news of the potential downpour has led to a flood of memes featuring Princess Diana, with many users pointing out that, had the couple not divorced and Diana not tragically died in a 1997 car accident, May 6 could have been the day of her own coronation.
One particularly popular meme features a cut-out image of Diana superimposed over a still from the popular fantasy series “Game of Thrones”. In the scene, the character of Olenna Tyrell orders the murder of Cersei Lannister’s child, uttering the famous line, “Tell Cersei. I want her to know it was me.”
The meme replaces Cersei’s name with “Charles,” giving the impression that Diana is responsible for the rain on his coronation day.
This “Diana’s revenge” theme has been echoed throughout social media, with users sharing edited photos and memes of the princess, suggesting that the weather is a form of karma for her tumultuous relationship with Charles.
A Look Back: The Tumultuous Relationship of Charles and Diana
The relationship between Charles and Diana was fraught with difficulties, culminating in a public separation in 1992 and a divorce in 1996.
Following their separation, Diana’s potential to be crowned queen was a subject of discussion, with then Prime Minister John Major stating that there was “no reason why the Princess of Wales should not be crowned queen in due course.” This, however, changed with their divorce.
The couple’s divorce was a highly publicized and controversial event, especially after Diana’s bombshell 1995 interview with the BBC’s Panorama program. In the interview, Diana spoke openly about her husband’s infidelity and the difficulties she faced within the royal family.
Diana’s candid comments and accusations of “deceitful behavior” by the royal family in securing her participation in the interview ultimately contributed to the breakdown of her marriage to Charles.
Rain or Shine: The Show Must Go On
Despite the rain forecast, Charles’ coronation is expected to proceed as planned.
While the Royal Air Force flypast may be affected by heavy rain or wind, the organizers have likely made contingency plans for bad weather, given the significant preparations that have been undertaken by the armed forces and members of the royal family.
However, the rain on Charles’ coronation day is not unprecedented. In 1953, it rained on the day of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II’s, coronation, and also on the day of his grandfather, King George VI, in 1937.
While some see the rain as an ironic twist of fate, the coronation will go ahead as planned, marking a historic moment for the British monarchy.
