King Charles ‘saddened’ over Meghan Markle’s coronation decision

Meghan Markle’s decision to skip the coronation has reportedly left her father-in-law disappointed – for a heartbreaking reason.

King Charles III is reportedly disappointed that he won’t get the chance to see his grandchildren next month.

King Charles III is “disappointed” he won’t be seeing his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet, following Meghan Markle’s decision to decline her invitation to the coronation.

This week, it was revealed Prince Harry will travel home to London to join his family for the Westminster Abbey ceremony, while Meghan will stay in California with their two children, Prince Archie, 3, and Princess Lilibet, 1.

“Buckingham Palace is pleased to confirm that the Duke of Sussex will attend the coronation service,” a palace spokesman said on Wednesday afternoon, UK time.

“The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.”

According to The Sun, Charles is “sad” that he won’t be able to spend time with his two young grandchildren, who he has barely ever seen.

The source added that despite his disappointment, he “understands the situation” and is “happy” that at least his son will be there.

It’s understood Charles was introduced to one-year-old Lilibet for the first time during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations last year, in a “very emotional” meeting.

Harry and Meghan with Archie and Lilibet. Picture: Alexi Lubomirski/The Times

Harry and Meghan’s decision over the upcoming coronation came amid reports that the Duke of Sussex was “preoccupied” with the Abbey seating arrangements in the lead-up to the announcement.

According to the Daily Mail, his team had been asking “a lot of questions” about where he – and the rest of his family – would be sitting if they attended the historic event.

“Harry’s side was keen to find out, presumably because they wanted to rubberstamp it, what the seating plan at the Abbey is. 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.

Another added: “This is true. There has been a lot of questions on detail for the Abbey.”

Harry and Meghan were reportedly concerned about the seating plan inside the Abbey for the coronation. Picture: Phil Harris/Pool/AFP

When Harry and Megan attended Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee last year in the UK, they were seated far apart from Charles, Camilla, William and Kate.

Meanwhile, members of the royal family have reportedly made their position on Harry clear following news of his RSVP, with sources telling the Daily Mail that Harry will be receiving the cold shoulder from most of them when he turns up at Westminster Abbey.

The publication reports that they’ve indicated “no interest” in talking to him beyond “the most basic of greetings”.

A royal source shared a similar sentiment to the UK’s Daily Express, revealing the family has “no appetite” for peace talks with Harry at this stage.

“The royal family are focused on planning for the historic occasion and have no appetite or time at this stage to think about reconciliation,” the insider said.

Speculation about whether or not Harry and Meghan would attend Charles and Camilla’s coronation had reached fever pitch in recent weeks.

During his publicity blitz for his bombshell memoir, Spare, in January, Harry indicated that he wanted an apology from his family before agreeing to anything.

The “door is always open”, he told British journalist Tom Bradby, adding: “The ball is in their court.”

He added: “There’s a lot that can happen between now and then. There’s a lot to be discussed, and I really hope that they’re willing to sit down and talk about it.”