Prince Harry Confirmed To Attend King Charles' Coronation But Not Meghan Markle
By Fiyin Olowokandi on April 16, 2023 at 11:30 PM EDT
After weeks of drama, Prince Harry has stepped forward to fix his relationship with the royal family with a huge gesture.
The Duke of Sussex and his wife, Meghan Markle, have been involved in controversial disputes with the British monarchy following their relocation to the US. However, the situation between the parties seems better than before.
The second son of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, has confirmed his attendance at his father's upcoming coronation. However, the ginger-haired Prince will participate in the royal event without his beloved wife.
The Duchess Of Sussex Will Stay At Home With The Children While Prince Harry Celebrates His Father's Ascension
As shared by PEOPLE, the Duke of Sussex will attend King Charles III's coronation on May 6 while the Duchess remains at home with the couple's two children. Buckingham Palace confirmed Prince Harry's participation in the crowning ceremony on Wednesday, April 12.
"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," they announced in a statement.
A friend of the "Spare" author shared similar sentiments to the news outlet. The insider claimed the 38-year-old wished to "support his father at this important moment in his life." However, the father of two will not be participating in all the coronation events.
The highly-anticipated ceremony shall feature three activities days, including the crowning event, a concert at Windsor Castle, and a volunteer day. "The Me You Can't See" producer is expected only to attend the coronation and no other event.
Although his attendance has been confirmed, it remains to be seen if the Duke of Sussex will participate in the tradition of joining King Charles, Queen Camilla, and other royal family members on the Buckingham Palace balcony after the crowning ceremony.
As for the Duchess's absence from the coronation, it was revealed that the former Hollywood sensation would stay back at the couple's California residence. As May 6 marks Prince Archie's fourth birthday, Meghan will spend the weekend celebrating her son's big day with her daughter Princess Lilibet.
Last month, the couple's participation in the crowning ceremony was uncertain following the confirmation of their invite. Per The Blast, the dynamic pair officially received an invitation to the coronation via email from the King's office.
Surprisingly, the Sussexes' invitation to the event came at the heels of their eviction notice from Frogmore Cottage. The duo was asked to leave their UK home by King Charles III, a decision speculated to have been caused by the release of Harry's memoir, "Spare."
In the book, the Duke revealed shocking details about his relationship with his father and brother, Prince William. Additionally, he made several comments about his stepmother, Queen Camilla. These statements allegedly forced the King to seek retribution by taking Frogmore Cottage.
The Duke & Duchess Of Sussex's Children Were Not Given Roles In Their Grandfather's Coronation
Before confirming Prince Harry's presence at the coronation, reports surfaced that he and Meghan's children were not invited to their grandfather's coronation ceremony. Unlike their cousins, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet did not have allocated spots in the royal procession.
The three children of Prince William and Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, were scheduled to play essential roles in the upcoming event. The trio would reportedly star in the King's Coronation procession at Westminster Abbey on May 6.
Excluding the family's youngest, Louis, the older siblings previously accompanied their parents during Queen Elizabeth's funeral procession in 2022. Like this event, the children shall join Prince William and Kate for the parade out of the Abbey.
According to leaked rehearsal plans, the Wales group's carriage would be behind King Charles and Queen Camilla's Gold State Coach. Behind them shall come the carriages of other royals, including Princess Royal and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, and Princess Alexandra are also expected to be part of the procession event.
At the time of this announcement, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had not confirmed their attendance. However, a source claimed that the royal staff prepared to receive the couple and their two children should they choose to attend the coronation.
