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Prince Harry, Meghan Markle ‘warned to stay away’ from King Charles’ coronation

British politicians have weighed in on the new Harry and Meghan docuseries, as Catherine wows in new behind-the-scenes photos.

Biggest bombshells in Harry and Meghan’s Netflix documentary

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been warned not to attend King Charles’ coronation next May amid fears they won’t receive a warm welcome from the British public.

Top British politicians have said the Sussexes should stay in California when King Charles is crowned at Westminster Abbey on May 6.

It comes after the couple released the first three episodes of their Netflix docuseries, which has drawn criticism after Markle appeared to mock curtsying the Queen while Prince Harry appeared deeply uncomfortable.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s docuseries has caused consternation in Britain. Picture Netflix
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s docuseries has caused consternation in Britain. Picture Netflix

The Duke of Sussex also seemed to take yet another dig at his father when he claimed he was “literally brought up by a group of friends in Africa”.

Now, according to The Sun, former British Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith has slammed the pair – and believes they don’t deserve an invite to King Charles’ coronation.

“If they dislike the royal family so much why would they attend the Coronation?” he said to The Mail on Sunday.

British politicians have suggested Prince Harry and Meghan Markle should not attend King Charles’ coronation next May. Picture: Getty Images
British politicians have suggested Prince Harry and Meghan Markle should not attend King Charles’ coronation next May. Picture: Getty Images

Meanwhile fellow Conservative politician David Mellor added: “They shouldn’t come to the coronation. They categorically shouldn’t come.

“They make money out of selling their family down the river. I think it should be made clear that the British people do not want them there.”

He also suggested that people “would be perfectly entitled to boo if the couple did turn up.”

SHOW GOES ON FOR CATHERINE

The Princess of Wales has shared behind-the-scenes photos of herself filming for her royal Christmas carol concert.

Catherine, 40, wears a red sequin-embroidered gown by British brand Needle & Thread and her hair down in loose waves.

The photos are captioned with #TogetherAtChristmas, Christmas Eve with ITV’s handle and some festive emojis.

The royal will host the service at Westminster Abbey on Thursday – the same day volume 2 of Harry and Meghan will drop on Netflix.

The service, Royal Carols: Together at Christmas, will then be shown on ITV on Christmas Eve.

Catherine dazzles in a red sequin gown. Picture: Twitter
Catherine dazzles in a red sequin gown. Picture: Twitter
It will be Catherine’s first Christmas carols service since taking the title of Princess of Wales. Picture: Twitter
It will be Catherine’s first Christmas carols service since taking the title of Princess of Wales. Picture: Twitter

SUSSEXES ACCUSED OF MORE LIES

Royal aides have rejected Markle’s claims in the Netflix docuseries that she was not prepared for royal life as a “total lie”.

The Duchess of Sussex said she was given no advice or instructions on how to transition into royal life including how to dress or curtsy.

But palace insiders claim Markle was given a 30-point dossier by Prince Harry’s then private secretary Ed Lane Fox six months before the pair married that contained the information she needed to adapt to royal life.

The insiders also denied Markle’s claim that Kensington Palace aides advised her not to invite her niece to her wedding as a “complete and utter lie”.

Markle’s father Thomas has also denied Markle’s claim that texts he sent to her were actually sent from someone else.

Mr Markle, 78, says he write “every word” as he recovered from two heart attacks in hospital.

PRINCE HARRY HAS ‘NO REGRETS’

Prince Harry has “absolutely no regrets” over the series.

A source close to the prince said he wants Prince William and King Charles to understand what he and Markle went through.

“Harry is delighted with the narrative of the documentary and how he and Meghan came across,” the source told the Mirror.

Royal sources say that the controversial docuseries has widened the rift between Prince Harry and Prince William. Picture: Getty Images
Royal sources say that the controversial docuseries has widened the rift between Prince Harry and Prince William. Picture: Getty Images

“The reason for doing this was to share their truth on their lives.

“He feels it told the story he wanted the world to hear and has absolutely no regrets.”

Senior sources say there is no way back for the couple, who have an $160 million deal with Netflix.

Prince William is understood to feel “betrayed” after his brother allowed deeply personal attacks on both him and Catherine, Princess of Wales to be aired.

The couple dance at their 2018 wedding. Picture: Netflix
The couple dance at their 2018 wedding. Picture: Netflix

Netflix has now dropped a new trailer for the second batch of episodes which will be released on December 15.

The footage shows the couple reminiscing about their star-studded wedding reception – and their first dance.

Photos show Prince Harry spinning his wife around as celebs like Elton John watch on.

HARRY AND MEGHAN ‘FLOPS’ IN THE US

Meghan and Harry may have been a ratings hit in Britain but it has been a monumental flop in the US with both audiences and critics.

The first episode of the six-parter was watched by 2.4 million people on TV sets in the UK, according to Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board (BARB) figures.

The second instalment had 1.5 million viewers while the third was seen by 800,000.

Harry and Meghan has not been a hit in the US. Picture: Netflix
Harry and Meghan has not been a hit in the US. Picture: Netflix

The figures were more than double those drawn by the first episode controversial royal drama The Crown, watched by 1.1 million on its first day.

But in the US – which has a population of 332 million compared to the UK’s 67 million – less than a million households tuned in on the first day.

And royal commentators and TV critics rounded on the “disappointing” show.

There were suggestions the couple had told the best bits to Oprah Winfrey in a March 2021 chat – and that the Prince had saved revelations for his forthcoming book.

The Times critic Carol Midgley wrote: “If I were Netflix, I’d want my money back.

“Because there was nothing ‘bombshell’ or even very new here.”

Royal sources claim Prince Harry has burned all his bridges with the royal family. Picture: Getty Images
Royal sources claim Prince Harry has burned all his bridges with the royal family. Picture: Getty Images

On the hit daytime talk show, The View, host Joy Behar called the show “boring” and said she turned it off.

Variety said the couple seemed “as if they’re honour-bound to keep reciting their personal story until we eventually lose interest”.

Meanwhile, reports are circulating that Netflix have no plans to extend their agreement with the couple for future TV projects.

The couple allowed Netflix to use personal photos in the docuseries. Picture: Netflix
The couple allowed Netflix to use personal photos in the docuseries. Picture: Netflix

A source claims beyond the current docuseries and the already-filmed program on Prince Harry’s Invictus Games, there won’t be any more productions.

An earlier planned one for a children’s show devised by Markle was dropped earlier this year.

A Netflix spokesman said: “We value our partnership with Archewell Productions and are excited to share Harry & Meghan the series with the world. We continue to work together on a number of projects, including the upcoming documentary series Heart of Invictus.”

It comes as viewers noticed Ms Markle’s ex-husband Trevor Engelson was not mentioned at all in the first three episodes of the Netflix series.

She was married to the 43-year-old film producer between 2011 and 2014 after they began dating in 2004.

New York-born Engelson has never spoken about their relationship and marriage which ended in divorce citing irreconcilable differences.

But royal biographer Andrew Morton wrote in his book Meghan: A Hollywood Princess, that she sent her diamond engagement and wedding ring back to her estranged husband in the mail as her acting career took off.

– with The Sun

Read related topics:Meghan MarklePrince Harry

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/prince-harry-meghan-markle-warned-to-stay-away-from-king-charles-coronation/news-story/de9dc391cf5b2313705d45b6ac1f05b2