Surprising response to Meghan Markle’s big King Charles snub

Meghan Markle may have turned down an invitation to the biggest day in King Charles’ life, but the snub has stoked feelings of sadness where it matters most.

When Meghan Markle wed Prince Harry in 2018, her father Thomas Markle was supposed to walk her down the aisle at Windsor Castle.

But with just days until the wedding, and a nightmare paparazzi scandal involving her dad, her imminent father-in-law, then Prince Charles, stepped in to hold her hand for the history-making moment.

So, when Meghan declined the invitation to the King’s coronation at Westminster Abbey this Saturday, with Prince Harry instead attending solo, many royal commentators were swift to air their outrage.

Charles walked Meghan Markle down the aisle at her 2018 wedding to Harry. Picture: BBC

The excuse given by British author and well-known Sussex supporter Omid Scobie was that Meghan chose to stay in California because May 6 – coronation day – is her son Archie’s fourth birthday.

However, pundits were quick to point out that Meghan and Harry were in London for their daughter Lilibet’s first birthday in 2022 during the queen’s platinum jubilee, which was the first and only time their second child had met her family from Britain.

This sparked further backlash from royal watchers, who pointed out that the Sussexes could have, realistically, brought their children along for the celebration.

But among those on the ground in London, the sentiment is less fiery.

Many people who spoke to news.com.au expressed sadness that things had become so bad between the Sussexes and the British royal family, that Meghan chose not to be there on the biggest day of Charles’ life.

“It’s bit sad that his entire family is not here,” London professor Chris Imafidan told news.com.au. “We are all human. It’s reflected the fact that even if you are the most powerful person on planet, you still have flesh, you still have water. And I hope that there’s healing sooner [rather] than later.

“I really feel everybody should be here. It’s once in lifetime, so I hope they don’t live to regret it.”

Newly married Melbourne couple Keely, 32, and Cassie, 30, are in London on their honeymoon, and agree they would have “loved” to see Meghan attend, though conceded how difficult it must have been for Harry to make the trip given the dramas that have engulfed the family.

“It’s a hard position for Harry – it’s his dad. If you take all the titles away, it’s still his dad taking on a new role,” Keely said. “So, I do think it’s good that he’ll be here; I’m glad he is.”

Cassie added, “[But] I would love to see [Meghan] here. I’d love it.”

Teresa, 70, from London, admitted her feelings towards Harry and Meghan have changed since their relationship first became public, but felt disappointed by the events of the last few years impacting such a big moment.

“I used to like Harry, and when he married Meghan I thought, ‘Oh, this is great, you know?’” she said.

“And it’s turned out really, very badly for everyone. I don’t think it’s shown anybody in a good light.”

Royal fans in London say they would have ‘loved’ to see Meghan Markle at the coronation alongside Prince Harry. Picture: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Associate editor at Royal Central Lydia Starbuck said family was extremely important to Charles, and pointed out how within 24 hours of his reign after the Queen’s death in September, he spoke publicly of his love for Harry and Meghan in his televised address.

With the release of the Sussexes’ bombshell Netflix series and Harry’s explosive Spare memoir, Starbuck still thinks Charles would want his family to be close again, despite the bad blood.

“The Netflix series and the publication of Spare have brought their own pressures but Charles has clearly always doted on his children and grandchildren,” she said.

However, coronation week will prove a trying period for Charles to have a lengthy, much-needed chat with his youngest son.

“There will be a chance to chat, of course, they are family and the King loves both his sons very much. How in-depth the chats go is another matter. A lot depends on how much time Harry is in the UK because this is a very, very busy time,” she said.

King Charles’ coronation takes place on May 6. Picture: Carl de Souza/AFP

“We’ve heard reports that Harry is heading home almost straight after the coronation. Although the royal family will disappear from public view on the afternoon of coronation day, there will be a lot going on behind palace doors. We know there is a special lunch planned and that’s before the huge amount of official photos that will be taken. Time for long talks isn’t readily available if this is just a fleeting visit.

“There will be some who say the King should drop everything and talk to his son for as long as needed. But this is a state ceremony and there are around 100 heads of state in attendance. It’s a big moment for the country as well as the King.”

Starbuck said a chance for reconciliation between Harry, Meghan and Charles would more likely come later in the year.

“Timings are hard to call on any possible meet ups,” she said. “It’s going to be a busy summer for the royal family.

“June is always non-stop and that is the same this year. The Order of the Garter, Royal Ascot, Trooping the Colour, all that still has to happen on top of the Buckingham Palace garden parties and traditional events like Holyrood week where the Monarch spends a long time in Scotland. But summer offers chances to talk and to look to the future.

“King Charles is very like his mother and grandmother in some ways and both were great advocates of time healing many things. I think the run-up to the first anniversary of his accession, in September this year, could be a very interesting and important time.”