A WANGARATTA resident will be the only Australian citizen taking an official role in next month's coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

Simon Abney–Hastings, the 15th Earl of Loudon, will continue a long–held family tradition by presenting the Great Golden Spurs to the new monarch at the coronation on Saturday, May 6.

The 48–year–old Earl inherited the title following the 2012 passing of his father Michael – the 14th Earl of Loudon, who came to Australia in the 1960s.

He is descended from George Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Clarence, the brother of King Richard III.

While leading historians have argued that the Duke of Clarence should have been King, being the legitimate first son of Richard Duke of York, and therefore that Simon Abney–Hastings has the right to inherit the throne of England, the Earl does not hold this view, and has been a loyal supporter of Queen Elizabeth II and her heir, King Charles III.

It's through the Grey de Ruthin line (an English baronetcy) and the Marshal family that the Earl has the right to be the Bearer of the Great Golden Spurs.

Earls of Loudon have filled the role at the coronation of the monarchs of England and Great Britain since the coronation of King Richard I in 1189.

The current spurs, which form part of the sacred regalia of the coronation ceremony, were made in 1661 for Charles II, and updated in 1820 for George IV by adding new textiles, buckles and straps.

Made almost entirely of gold and each featuring a diamond–encrusted ruby, the Great Golden Spurs symbolise knighthood, and denote the sovereign's role as head of the armed forces.

In medieval times, the spurs were fastened on the feet of the new monarch at coronation, but at recent coronations they have ceremoniously touched the heels of the monarch, and then been placed on the altar.

The Wangaratta–based Earl said while his title did not greatly impact his everyday life – apart from his own strong awareness of it – he took the role seriously, and enjoyed representing not only his family, but Wangaratta and the North East, particularly on occasions such as the upcoming coronation.

"Every time something happens that is of significance, especially the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and other little bits and pieces related to the monarchy, I anticipate I will be contacted," he said.

"I'm thrilled about that, because it gives me great pride, especially representing Wangaratta and the North East and my family."

The Earl said while he travelled often to Sydney and Melbourne to pursue business interests, he still called Wangaratta home.

"It's the community that really stands out to me, and just the scenery and the atmosphere of the place," he said.

"I have travelled fairly extensively, but Wangaratta and the North East will always be home."

The Earl said involvement in the May 6 coronation would be his biggest role since inheriting the title from his father 11 years ago.

"Think of this as a standard family situation and amplify it by a thousand or so," he said.

"There will be a worldwide audience of up to a billion people focused on watching the coronation.

"My grandmother spoke about the role many years ago, and we did discuss it at some length, so I was certainly aware of the opportunity.

"I haven't been given any instructions as yet, but there will be rehearsals in the week leading up to the coronation, at Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey, so I will learn more then.

"There is a full dress–rehearsal a couple of days prior to the event, so I will be well–versed by then in what is involved.

"There are always nerves when you're involved in something like this – it would be inhuman not to carry some nerves, but I will push past it, as it is an honour to be involved."

Charles Rawdon–Hastings, the 11th Earl of Loudon, was the bearer of the Great Golden Spurs at the 1902 coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, and at the 1911 coronation of King George V and Queen Mary.

However, at the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (Queen Elizabeth II's parents) in 1937, and at Queen Elizabeth II's own coronation in 1953, the 15th Earl's great–grandmother and grandmother were Countesses, and were excluded from the role he will play, as it is a male–orientated position.

While the republic debate swirled again following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the 15th Earl said he found people were generally fascinated by the monarchy, and he regularly received very positive feedback about its role in Australia.

"I think the republic movement does tend to take those opportunities for exposure, but I believe there is a lot more stability in our system of government than in other models," he said.

The Earl also fields a myriad of questions relating to developments within the royal family.

"I think people like to talk about these aspects, and they certainly do volunteer their opinions, which I understand, because they're talking to a person who is connected to the monarchy," he said.

"There are several issues they like to discuss, and I'm happy to lend an ear."

For those keen to watch the coronation, and see the Earl of Loudon's involvement, the ABC has released its official programming schedule.

The live broadcast will run from 5pm to 11pm on May 6, including the service between 8pm and 10pm.

The gold state coach that will transport King Charles and Queen Camilla back to Buckingham Palace during the procession after the coronation, which begins at 10pm Australian time, was commissioned by the 15th Earl's ancestor, Francis Rawdon–Hastings, 1st Marquess of Hastings in 1760.

It was first used by King George III.

The Australian–made Jubilee State Coach will transport King Charles and Queen Camilla to Westminster Abbey for the coronation.