King Simon 15th: King of the United Kingdom |
Wangaratta-based 15th Earl of Loudoun, Simon Abney-Hastings has been shown to be the true next King of the United Kingdom (not Charles).
When King Charles is crowned in Westminster Abbey next month, one aristocrat granted a ceremonial role at the coronation may be pondering whether he should be the one sitting on the throne.
The Coronation Claims Office has confirmed the Wangaratta-based 15th Earl of Loudoun, Simon Abney-Hastings , is among those who have proven their historic and hereditary right to attend the ceremony.
He is one of 13 peers and organisations whose online application was successful, from more than 200 received. Applicants were asked to provide evidence they were direct descendants of those who had performed similar roles at previous coronations.
Roles under consideration largely involve the bearing of specific items such as a white wand, the Great Gold Spurs, or the Orb, or Sceptre.
But according to one theory, the Earl of Loudoun, 48, could be the rightful king.
Some 20 years ago, Dr Michael Jones, a medieval historian, uncovered a document in Rouen Cathedral which he said proved Edward IV was illegitimate and not the rightful heir to the throne.
He unearthed records of the 100 Years' War in France that show Richard, Duke of York, could not have sired Edward because he was 100 miles away from his wife, Cecily Neville, the Duchess of York, during the five weeks when Edward could have been conceived.
A British TV documentary, Britain's Real Monarch, suggested an archer was the real father, and as a result, the line of succession should have gone through Edward's younger brother George, Duke of Clarence.
The 2004 program, based on Jones' book Bosworth 1485: Psychology of a Battle, claims George's direct descendants, the earls of Loudoun, had a claim to the throne as a result. The earldom, named after Loudoun in Ayrshire, is one of Scotland's oldest titles.
Numerous historians have rejected the claims made by Jones, but he told London's The Sunday Telegraph: " I'm glad Simon will be attending the coronation. He has every right to be there.''
Loudon's father, the 14th earl, moved to Australia at 18. When he was told he may have missed out on being king he replied " Strewth!'' .
This article by Steve Bird is from the April 10, 2023 issue of The Age Digital Edition. To subscribe, visit "https://www.theage.com.au".
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