A kiss that seals succession for Charles and Wills

WHEN Prince William leaned forward to kiss the cheek of his newly crowned father, the moment transformed the Coronation.

-  Michael Cole

The King had looked uneasy at times, even tetchy as bishops circled his throne and he was invested with the symbols of earthly power.

But then he settled back in the Coronation chair, smiling but with tears in his eyes, the moment meaning as much to him personally as it did to the continued success of the Monarchy.

The path to that sacred moment was not without its bumps.

After the terrible death of their mother in 1997, both Prince William and Prince Harry seriously questioned the royal roles they had been ordained for at birth.

I wrote at the time that there was nothing in Britain's unwritten Constitution that required the heir to assume the throne. It was a convention, no more.

In a rare move, Buckingham Palace issued a statement confirming Prince William was committed to his royal destiny and would take up his duties when required.

It was proof that there had been doubts, the question had been asked and the 15-year-old William was prepared to shoulder the burden of monarchy that would become his in due course, if his father died before he did.