Prince Harry to attend King Charles' coronation alone as Meghan Markle declines invitation
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Prince Harry will attend the coronation service of his father King Charles III alone in London with his wife Meghan Markle remaining in California with their two children. The much-anticipated news was announced by Buckingham Palace on Wednesday, April 12. The statement confirmed that the Duke of Sussex will be at Westminster Abbey on May 6, while Markle will stay back at their home in Montecito.
The 'Suits' actress will be accompanied by the couple's two children Prince Archie, one, and Princess Lilibet, who will be turning four on the same day as the ceremony. "Buckingham Palace is pleased to confirm that The Duke of Sussex will attend the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey on 6th May. The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet," the palace announced in a statement issued at 3 pm. Prince Harry will be seen with Charles, Camilla, his brother the Prince of Wales, his sister in law the Princess of Wales, and the rest of his family in a public setting for the first time since the funeral of his grandmother the late Queen Elizabeth.
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BREAKING: "Buckingham Palace is pleased to confirm that The Duke of Sussex will attend the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey on May 6th. The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet."
— Omid Scobie (@scobie) April 12, 2023
'Harry coming alone does mean less pressure'
The Sussexes' trusted contact Omid Scobie wrote about Harry's forthcoming attendance in a tweet, adding, "I understand that Archie's fourth birthday (also on May 6) played a factor in the couple's decision. Expect it to be a fairly quick trip to the UK for Prince Harry, who will only be attending the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey." ITV News royal editor Chris Ship also remarked on Harry attending the ceremony solo. "Given everything that has been said/alleged - in six Netflix episodes and one book - this is a big development. But Harry coming alone does mean less pressure on the Royal Family - and fewer of those awkward photographs together," he said.
I understand that Archie's fourth birthday (also on May 6) played a factor in the couple's decision. Expect it to be a fairly quick trip to the UK for Prince Harry, who will only be attending the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
— Omid Scobie (@scobie) April 12, 2023
'Sussexes' rift with the royal family is very serious'
The news comes after Harry's decision to reveal his family's secrets in his bestselling book 'Spare' as well as in the Netflix docu-series 'Harry & Meghan.' Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams spoke about the announcement to the Daily Mail. "For months I hoped for reconciliation but after Spare, the interviews promoting it and the Netflix docuseries it is obvious that this is highly unlikely to happen and that the Sussexes' rift with the royal family is very serious," he said. Talking about the prince's role in the ceremony, Fitzwilliams said: "Harry is unlikely to have a role in the ceremony or appear on the balcony. He may well appear in the procession after the ceremony. However, it would have been impossible for the Sussexes to not be represented at this unique event and expect to be taken seriously as members of the Royal Family in the future."
Royal family 'pleased' with Meghan not attending the ceremony
Three weeks before the announcement, a royal observer reportedly told Mail Online that King Charles and the rest of the royal family will be "pleased" with Markle not attending the event. They added that Markle's presence "would have been particularly uncomfortable for Kate." The Sussexes, on the other hand, reportedly delayed confirming whether they would be attending the royal ceremony. The RSVP date was originally set to April 3. Thus, the uncertainty over their decision led to royal officials being unable to sign off arrangements for seating plans, transport, and security.