Meghan Markle not going to King Charles’ coronation and what it means for her and Prince Harry
Meghan Markle’s call to stay in the US and not be by Prince Harry’s side at King Charles’ coronation is a sign of just how bad the fallout is with the royal family.
Royals
Don't miss out on the headlines from Royals. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The bold call for Meghan Markle to stay in the US and not attend King Charles’ coronation by Prince Harry’s side has sparked a mixed reaction from royal watchers.
While some believe it is better for her to avoid any awkward attention, others see it as a final message to the royal family that she has no interest in building a relationship with them.
See what it now means for Prince Harry who will be going alone.
Why have the Sussexes not RSVPed until now?
The RSVP save the date passed nine days ago, but there was no public confirmation of their decision, leaving planners unable to finalise the arrangements for Operation Golden Orb, until Wednesday.
Prince Harry has a notoriously fraught relationship with the King and the Prince of Wales after repeatedly criticising the pair, most notably in his controversial memoir Spare at the start of the year.
Ms Markle too criticised the monarchy in the couple’s Netflix documentary and accused an unnamed senior royal of racism in her Oprah interview and the institution of failing to help her when she was suicidal.
The matter was also complicated by the coronation being held on Prince Archie’s fourth birthday.
Why won’t Meghan be there and is her absence a snub?
With May 6 being Archie’s birthday, Ms Markle is staying in California with her son and Princess Lilibet.
By missing the ceremony, she also avoids a huge media circus and a potentially uncomfortable appearance alongside the royal family.
According to The Sun, a source said: “It’s sad but the King understands the situation.”
“He wanted him there. It is sad, he is very disappointed that he won’t see Ms Markle or his grandchildren but understands the situation.”
Political activist Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu called it “empowering” for Meghan to say no to Britain’s “most powerful family”, adding: “I’m here for Ms Markle not giving a damn what anyone thinks.”
What do royal experts think?
According to The Sun, Rob Jobson, author of the new book Our King: The Man and the Monarch Revealed, said it was now unlikely Ms Markle will attend another official Palace event.
He said: “It is good news that Harry has accepted the invite and will be there to support his father.
“It is the most pragmatic move in a difficult situation and Harry has got it right. He would deeply regret it if he didn’t attend the biggest day of his father’s life.
“But the fact his wife is not attending means it is now highly unlikely we will ever see her attend an official or Palace event again — apart from maybe the King’s funeral.”
Ingrid Seward, editor of Majesty Magazine, added: “It is a double insult to her father-in-law because he walked her down the aisle in her hour of need and to not attend his coronation would be considered as rude.
“I don’t think Meghan wanted to risk being sat in the hinterland at the Abbey. Turning the invite down is rude and unnecessary. If she had any courage she would have attended with head held high.”
A source told the Mirror: “Harry would have deeply regretted not attending the ceremony.“Archie’s birthday has provided the perfect excuse for Meghan to stay behind and, with all things considered, it’s probably the right thing to do.”
Is Prince Harry’s appearance at the coronation going to be tricky?
The royal family is well versed at putting on a united front in public. But it will be the first time the King, the Queen Consort, William and the Princess of Wales have been pictured with Prince Harry since he criticised them in his tell-all memoir.
What role will Prince Harry perform on the day?
It is likely he will just be a guest, but Buckingham Palace has yet to confirm.
Blood princes traditionally pay homage to the monarch and the ritual involves placing their hands between the King’s and swearing allegiance, touching the crown and kissing the King’s left cheek.
But it has been suggested William will be the only blood prince to do so this time, removing the dilemma of whether to involve the disgraced Duke of York or former working royal Prince Harry in the proceedings.
Where will the duke sit in Westminster Abbey?
Prince Harry is expected to be sat alongside other members of the royal family, but it is not yet known whether the King’s second son will have a front row seat.
For the late Queen’s state funeral in the Abbey, the duke was in the second row with Ms Markle, directly behind Charles and Camilla.
Seating arrangements usually have a different format at coronations to weddings and funerals.
Will Prince Harry join the grand royal procession back to the Palace?
It has not yet been confirmed. Charles and Camilla are travelling back from the Abbey in the opulent horse-drawn Gold State Coach, taking a slow 1.3 mile route to the Palace as part of a huge military parade.
And will Prince Harry appear on the Palace balcony to wave at the crowds?
Who knows? For the Platinum Jubilee, the late Queen dictated that only working members of the royal family would appear on the famous balcony, ruling out Prince Harry and Ms Markle. It will be down to the King to decide.
What will Prince Harry wear to the coronation?
The Gentlemen’s dress code is morning dress, lounge suit or uniform. Prince Harry served in the Armed Forces for more than a decade, but at most official events following the death of the late Queen, he was in civilian dress including at her state funeral because he is not a working royal. It is not known if he will be allowed to a military uniform to the coronation, and the King, head of the Armed Forces, will have the last say.
Prince Harry is permitted to wear his decorations, which would include his Afghanistan war medals and his Jubilee medals. May 6 is also a Collar Day on which insignia of certain members of British orders of knighthood may be worn. Prince Harry is a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.
Will Prince Harry attend any other coronation festivities?
No. Prince Harry will make a quick exit. He is expected to fly back to the US to be with Ms Markle and the children – in particular Archie for his birthday weekend.
The duke will miss the concert at Windsor Castle and Big Lunch celebrations on the Sunday, and not be part of Monday’s Big Help Out volunteering drive, but Prince Harry is not a working member of the royal family.
Will Meghan watch the coronation on television?
She may be busy with Archie’s birthday celebrations. But if she does, she will emulate the Duchess of Windsor – the last American divorcee to marry a senior royal and become involved in a royal crisis. In 1953, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor watched their niece Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation on television, from hundreds of miles away in Paris.
Edward VIII plunged the monarchy into despair in 1936 when he abdicated over his love for the former Wallis Simpson.
What about Prince Harry’s security?
It is unclear what the arrangements will be for Prince Harry’s protection while he is in London. He is still taking legal action against the Home Office over his security arrangements in the UK. But a source told The Mirror source said royal protection officers would be responsible for his safety as he was attending a State occasion.
More Coverage
Originally published as Meghan Markle not going to King Charles’ coronation and what it means for her and Prince Harry
Join the conversation
Kate misses massive Charles moment
Buckingham Palace has rolled out the red carpet for a major reception - but the Princess of Wales was a no-show.
Read more
Royal arrested on suspicion of rape
The son of Norway’s Crown Princess has been detained for the third time in just a few months in the latest scandal to rock the palace.
Read more