Prince Harry to Attend Coronation Solo as Meghan and Kids Stay in California
Prince Harry has confirmed that he will attend the Coronation service at Westminster Abbey on May 6th, while the Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.[0] It was previously speculated whether the couple would attend the event, given the high tensions between Harry and the Royal family following the release of his memoir, Spare. The Coronation will see King Charles III become the 40th reigning monarch to be crowned in a service at Westminster Abbey in London.[1] Meghan Markle’s absence from the event has sparked speculation about tensions between the couple and the Palace. The fact that Harry is attending alone has also raised questions about his relationship with his family. Despite this, he is said to be “happy” at the prospect of attending the historic event.
Sources close to the couple suggest that Archie’s fourth birthday, which falls on the same day as the Coronation, played a factor in the couple’s decision for Meghan and the children to remain in California. It is anticipated that the Duke will arrive by plane to attend the service at Westminster Abbey, but he will not be present for the Coronation Concert or any associated gatherings.[2] As a non-working member of the Royal family, he would not be invited to appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony or have a formal role in the Coronation.[3]
Harry’s trip to the UK will be brief, and he will not attend any other royal events over the weekend.[2] He is expected to make a quick exit, flying back to the US to be with Meghan and the children.[4] He will reportedly stay at Frogmore Cottage during the bank holiday weekend for what may be the final time after being evicted by his father.
Meghan Markle was reportedly “upset” that her children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet were not included in the Coronation.[5] To our knowledge, they were not invited and were not even considered for inclusion in the procession or similar events.[5] Meghan's friends, among them her biographer Omid Scobie, speculated that her choice was primarily influenced by Archie's fourth birthday coinciding with the Coronation on May 6.
Meghan McCain, daughter of US Senator John McCain, criticised Meghan Markle for skipping King Charles’ Coronation, saying her decision will make Americans be more disgusted by her and Prince Harry.[6] The author and media personality believes Markle is “chickening out” of attending father-in-law King Charles’ Coronation.[7]
While the Royal Family confirmed that Harry will attend the Coronation, they have no interest in talking to him beyond basic greetings, following weeks of transatlantic ping pong over the couple’s attendance at the event.[8] It was previously reported that Harry’s RSVP delay was due to him being “preoccupied” about where he'd sit, and that there have been “extensive discussions” between him and the Palace about it.[9] “There's been extensive back and forth about who they [Harry and Meghan] would be sitting behind if they came. And who would be behind them,” a royal insider told the publication.[10]
Despite the ongoing speculation, confirming Meghan’s absence now helps make it old news on Coronation day, and journalists and others will nonetheless scrutinize Harry’s every move in London next month.[11] His presence at Westminster Abbey and likely absence from the Royal family’s appearance on the palace balcony afterward will still generate an outsize share of notice.[11]
0. “Meghan Markle guilt-tripped by The Sun after news that she will not attend King Charles's coronation” LaineyGossip, 12 Apr. 2023, https://www.laineygossip.com/meghan-markle-guilt-tripped-by-the-sun-after-news-she-will-not-attend-king-charles-coronation/73884
1. “King Charles to ‘mend’ family divisions as Prince Andrew brought in ‘from the cold’, report claims” The Independent, 14 Apr. 2023, https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/royal-family/king-charles-prince-andrew-mend-b2319690.html
2. “Prince Harry to attend King Charles's Coronation – without Meghan” The Telegraph, 12 Apr. 2023, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2023/04/12/prince-harry-attend-king-charles-coronation-not-meghan/
3. “The King was there for you Meghan on your big day – so sad you can’t make it for him…” The Sun, 12 Apr. 2023, https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/22022349/meghan-markle-king-charles-coronation-wedding/
4. “Prince Harry and Meghan on ‘life support' after she pulls out of the King's coronation | TalkTV” TalkTV, 14 Apr. 2023, https://talk.tv/news/11224/prince-harry-and-meghan-on-life-support-after-she-pulls-out-of-the-kings-coronation
5. “Meghan Markle Was Reportedly “Upset” That Her Children Were Excluded From Coronation Plans: Insiders” Marie Claire, 14 Apr. 2023, https://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity/meghan-markle-coronation-plans-children/
6. “Meghan McCain rips Meghan Markle for skipping coronation for Archies birthday” Geo News, 14 Apr. 2023, https://www.geo.tv/latest/482144-meghan-mccain-rips-meghan-for-skipping-charles-coronation-for-archies-birthday
7. “Meghan McCain Blasts Meghan Markle For ‘Chickening Out' Of King Charles Coronation” Access Hollywood, 14 Apr. 2023, https://www.accessonline.com/videos/meghan-mccain-blasts-meghan-markle-for-chickening-out-of-king-charles-coronation
8. “Kate Middleton Warned Meghan Markle ‘She’d Have To Sit At The Back’ If She Attended Coronation: Source” ETCanada.com, 14 Apr. 2023, https://etcanada.com/news/984711/kate-middleton-warned-meghan-markle-shed-have-to-sit-at-the-back-if-she-attended-coronation-source
9. “Prince Harry Reportedly Wouldn't RSVP to the Coronation Until He Knew Who He'd Be Sitting Behind” Yahoo Life, 14 Apr. 2023, https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/prince-harry-reportedly-wouldnt-rsvp-133200230.html
10. “Key coronation detail Harry fixated upon” news.com.au, 13 Apr. 2023, https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/royals/royal-familys-brutal-coronation-plan-for-prince-harry-revealed/news-story/3d2d0d5a2227b6d30c7776d9ebcefe10
11. “Opinion | Harry in London, Meghan in California: The ugly coronation compromise” The Washington Post, 14 Apr. 2023, https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/04/14/harry-coronation-meghan-california-royal-compromise
