Despite the Londoners’ distrust of anyone north of the Trent, they tolerated the army’s presence in Moorfields that ensured a trouble-free coronation. Who knew if the Woodvilles might attempt to disrupt the ceremony or even take the opportunity to steal into the Tower and abscond with the two boys? For this reason, Richard ordered his nephews be moved from the king’s apartments into the queen’s rooms in the well-guarded Lanthorne Tower and forbade their servants from allowing them to sport in public on the Tower Green. “At least until after London has emptied again,” Richard commanded, “’Tis too risky. Out of sight, out of mind, I can but hope.”

He and Anne went again to see the boys before the coronation, and this time both youths were ill at ease. Their guardian told Richard that the lads had received a few visitors, “including the Lady Stanley, my lord. Lord Edward said she came bearing loving messages from their mother, the queen, but I noticed a change in the lad’s demeanor following her visit. He became angry with one of the gentlemen of the chamber and demanded to be taken back to his former lodgings.”

Richard soon discovered why Edward had reacted so to Margaret Beaufort’s visit. The boy confronted Richard, boldly. “Lady Stanley and my lady mother have heard you plan to send us away. She also warned us you may want to do us harm. Would you do us harm, uncle?”

Richard was appalled. “Do you harm? Why would I want to do that, pray?” Richard asked, gently holding him by the shoulders. “Fate has taken an unfortunate turn for you and Richard, but as soon as your mother leaves sanctuary with your sisters, I will return you to her side. This I promise.”

On the day prior to the crowning, as had every king since the Conqueror before him, Richard journeyed with his court from the Tower to Westminster in a spectacular procession. Somewhere along the road through the city, he was suddenly reminded of the boyish fantasy he had had all those years ago as he rode to Edward’s coronation. No longer a fantasy, it was indeed he who was riding to the great abbey to be crowned, and he reverently crossed himself.

Anne was seated in a litter carried front and back by two beautiful white palfreys, and all of her and Richard’s henchmen wore scarlet satin with white cloth-of-gold mantles as they rode beside the royal couple. Behind them the cavalcade stretched for half a mile, buoyed by trumpets, shawms, sackbuts and tabors as the crowds thronging the route showered flowers and cheers upon the glittering column of riders.