Birmingham Palace has announced that Prince Harry will come to the King’s coronation, but Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, will not be attending.
Speculations have trailed issues as to whether the couple would travel to the coronation – but it is now clear that Prince Harry will attend alone.
The coronation will be attended by more than 2,000 guests at Westminster Abbey on May 6 and ill also be the first time Harry will have been seen with the rest of Royal Family members since the release of his best-selling memoir.
Prince Harry had sparked off controversy in his memoir, Spare, which revealed extensive family tensions where he also spoke of feeling “different” from the rest of his family – and it had been unclear whether he would attend his father’s coronation at some point.
Earlier it was not clear whether Harry will attend the ceremony but confirmation came later that the Prince will be at the Abbey, on a day which is also the fourth birthday of their son, Archie.
Palace sources said Prince Harry and Meghan, who live in California in the United States, had been contacted by email more than a month ago about attending the coronation that will be gaced by royal Family, public figures, world leaders and 450 representatives of charities and community groups.
The decision for Meghan not to attend could be considered as part of lingering, unresolved tensions between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Royal Family.
Prince Harry’s book and an earlier Netflix series had highlighted worries about negative media coverage, particularly towards Meghan – and he had warned of a lack of support from his family.
As he is no longer a “working royal”, it remains to be seen what part Prince Harry will play in the coronation ceremony. For the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Prince Harry and Meghan did not take part in the traditional appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
It’s expected that Prince William, as Prince of Wales, will have a prominent role in the coronation – and after Prince Harry’s dramatic account of their falling out there will be attention on the two brothers coming together again.
