Sarah Ferguson ‘not invited’ to King Charles’ coronation

Amid confirmation Meghan Markle won’t be attending the historic event, it’s been revealed another controversial royal has been booted from festivities.

King Charles’ mission to slim down the monarchy has extended to the guest list of his coronation.

The 74-year-old monarch, who will be officially crowned at Westminster Abbey in London on May 6, has not invited Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, the ex-wife of Prince Andrew, according to The Sun.

The decision to snub her when the event will have some 2000 attendees has raised eyebrows, with Ferguson, 63, having attended the Queen’s funeral in September. More recently, she spent Christmas with the royal family at Sandringham for the first time in 30 years.

King Charles III has invited 2000 people to the coronation. Picture: Yui Mok – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Sarah Ferguson has been snubbed from the coronation guest list. Picture: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

British journalist Phil Dampier said Ferguson would be “disappointed” by the call.

“I’m sure Fergie will be disappointed, but she has had many years of ups and downs in her relationship with the royal family, and I’m sure she will accept it,” Mr Dampier said.

“The Queen had a soft spot for Fergie, and Charles was generous in inviting her to Christmas. But on a formal occasion he probably feels a line has to be drawn.

“Space is limited and some hard decisions have had to be made.

“The fact is Fergie and Prince Andrew split up more than 30 years ago so she cannot expect to be at the top of the royal pecking order.”

Andrew, 63, will be attending in a private capacity as the king’s brother, but will have no official role in the ceremony.

His daughters, Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, whom he shares with Ferguson, will also be in attendance.

Sarah Ferguson won’t be attending the coronation with her daughters, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice. Picture: Instagram

It comes after Buckingham Palace confirmed on Thursday that Meghan Markle would not be accepting her RSVP, and instead will stay in California with her two children, Prince Archie, 3, and Princess Lilibet, 1. The day of the coronation is Archie’s fourth birthday.

However, in news that is said to have “delighted” Charles, Prince Harry will fly to London for the occasion, despite frosty relations with his family.

Much like Andrew, given the Duke of Sussex is no longer a working royal, he will only attend to observe formalities, with Prince William and his son, nine-year-old Prince George, set to be the only royals to play an official part.

Harry will also be absent from the Buckingham Palace balcony, where King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Kate and their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will cap off formalities by waving to the public.

The coronation will mark Harry’s first time being seen publicly in the presence of his family since he released his explosive tell all memoir, Spare, in January.

Originally published as Sarah Ferguson ‘not invited’ to King Charles’ coronation