Coronation lessons to be taught in schools as UK looks to ensure young people 'understand the facts'

Just 32 per cent of 18-24 year olds support the continuation of the monarchy, according to the latest YouGov poll, and the Government is keen to engage the next generation to understand its importance in the British constitution.

Nick Gibb MP, Minister of State for Schools, told GB News: “[Young people] need to understand really how important [the monarchy] is in terms of the way our country is governed.

"That the monarchy does play an important part in our constitution - all be it as a constitutional monarchy rather than a monarchy with real power. But it’s important that they do understand that and all the symbolism that comes with the Coronation.”

It is understood lesson plans were sent to The Royal Household for their approval, ahead of material being released to schools.

Lesson plans have been developed by a mix of serving history teachers and education consultants.

GB News was given exclusive access to a preliminary lesson taught by history teacher and education consultant, Steve Mastin.

Year 4 pupils at St Mary’s Church of England Primary School in Brent learnt about famous objects they will see during the Coronation on May 6, including St Edward’s Crown, The Sovereigns Orb and The Sovereigns Sceptre with Cross.

Lessons are not compulsory, but are being made available to all schools in England from this week.

Mastin told GB News: “I don’t think you have to be a pro-monarchy teacher to teach a lesson about the Coronation, because I think the Department for Education was thinking children should know what’s going to happen on May 6, otherwise it’s just a TV programme where a crown gets put on King Charles’ head but, of course, it’s much more than that it’s part of our history that goes back a thousand years.”

Polls suggest support and interest in the monarchy is lower among young people, and there is growing concern that their opinions might not change in the future.

A series of scandals have rocked the monarchy in recent years, including several potentially damaging accusations from The Duke of Sussex in his bombshell memoir ‘Spare’.

His wife, The Duchess of Sussex, famously accused an unnamed member of the royal family of being ‘concerned’ about what colour her son’s skin might be when he was born, during a 2021 interview with American TV host Oprah Winfrey.

At the time, a Buckingham Palace statement read: “recollections may vary”.

The Duke of York was also forced to step back as a working royal, partly due to his association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Prince Andrew has always denied the allegations made against him.

The Government insists the new coronation lessons are not an attempt to force pro-monarchy opinions of England’s school children.

Nick Gibb MP said: “I think it’s important young people just understand the facts and then they can form their own opinions about the monarchy.”

Two future Kings, Prince William and Prince George, will be present at King Charles’ coronation on Saturday 6th May.
Nine-year-old Prince George has been given an important job to support his grandfather as one of his pages.

Saturday is thought to be the first time Prince George will physically see St Edward’s Crown – an object he is expected to wear himself one day.