Explained Meghan Markle’s refusal to attend the coronation of Charles III

Less than a month remains before the coronation of the British monarch Charles III, but now there is some kind of clarity in the question that worried the royal experts: will the rebellious Duke and Duchess of Sussex come to the celebrations from America. Yes and no: Prince Harry is expected, and Meghan Markle will stay with the children in California. The situation, to be sure, bordering on a scandal.

Prince Harry is set to attend the coronation of his father King Charles III at Westminster Abbey on May 6, but his wife Meghan will remain in the United States with their children, Prince Archie and one-year-old Princess Lilibet. This was announced by Buckingham Palace after several months of uncertainty.

On the day of the coronation, the little prince Archie turns four years old. So his mother’s participation in the celebrations on the occasion of the laying of the crown on the head of her father-in-law would not give Meghan a proper celebration of the birthday of her first child. On the other hand, Archie’s fourth birthday will have to be celebrated in the absence of his father.

Back in March, a spokesman for the Duke of Sussex told the press that the couple, who had moved from London to California, had been invited to the coronation but had not yet confirmed their presence. At the level of rumors, information appeared in the media that Harry and Meghan would prefer to skimp on the invitation. The intrigue was added by the fact that very little time had passed since the scandalous memoirs of the youngest son of the British king “Spare” appeared on the shelves in January, on the pages of which Harry made a series of accusations against members of his family, revealed a number of personal clashes between him and other high-ranking representatives of the monarchy and spoke in detail about his break with his family. Needless to say, the appearance of the book did nothing to restore harmony between the Sussexes and the royal family. Moreover, Harry made it clear that he was ready to go to the coronation if the royal family apologized for the wrongs caused to him and Meghan.

And now there’s some clarity, but there’s some questioning about Harry’s potential role at the coronation, given that he’s no longer a current member of the royal family following his decision to step down from royal duties three years ago.

Harry is not expected to take part in the procession after the service at Westminster Abbey and will not join other members of the royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace or at other celebrations.

What’s more, another interesting detail has come to light: According to leaked media reports, Harry and Meghan were delayed in responding to their coronation invitation because they were arguing over seating arrangements. Sources say the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were allegedly concerned about who would be seated in front of and behind them at Westminster Abbey on May 6.

Weeks of delicate negotiations took place over this issue, described by insiders as a game of “transatlantic ping-pong.” And that created a challenge for coronation planners, who were tasked with developing elaborate seating, transportation, and security plans for high-ranking royals, world leaders, and other VIPs.

King Charles is reportedly “disappointed” that his sister-in-law and grandchildren will miss his coronation. Although it is difficult to say how sincere this disappointment is. If Harry, native blood, is a rather dubious guest for the royal family, then what can we say about Meghan Markle.

So the explanation for the absence of the Duchess of Sussex at the coronation by the fact that May 6th is the birthday of little Archie is difficult to perceive otherwise than as a diplomatic “excuse”. People in the know say Meghan Markle’s attendance at the celebrations is unrealistic after the royal family put her in an “impossible situation”. “It is one thing to be present at the funeral of the late Queen out of respect for Her Majesty, but it is quite another to be present at the beginning of a new reign,” the sources say.

And the Daily Mail tabloid predicts that Prince Harry will receive a cold reception from most of his family at the coronation, and Prince William has no plans to talk to his little brother after his attacks in The Spare and the Netflix documentary.

For Harry himself, with all the complexity of relations with relatives, it is important to be present at the coronation of his father. But knowledgeable sources suggest that few family members (with the possible exception of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie) will be eager to talk to Harry, getting off with the most elementary greetings. Although miracles happen – and who knows, suddenly Prince William, in order to please his father, will try to extend an olive branch to the prodigal brother. But even those who once hoped that the brothers would be able to reconcile, believe that this is now unlikely. So, William did not communicate with Harry when he came with Meghan and the children to London last year to celebrate the platinum anniversary of Queen Elizabeth.

By the way, at the “platinum” celebrations at the service in St. Paul’s Cathedral, Harry and Megan were seated away from the main places – on the other side of the nave from the Crown Prince Charles, Camilla, William and Kate at that time. And at farewell to Elizabeth II in September last year, Harry and Meghan were squeezed into a corner at the end of the second row – while the Duchess was obscured by candles. Such gestures, notes the Daily Mail, were tantamount – at least for Harry – “social Siberia”.

And at the funeral of the royal grandmother, the brothers also hardly spoke, although William invited Harry and Meghan to join him and Kate to meet the public and admire the flowers at Windsor Castle.

As the Daily Express writes, citing insiders at the palace, the royal family is “focused on planning for a historic event and at this stage they have neither the appetite nor the time to think about reconciliation” with Harry.

So sources close to the Sussexes have said that Harry has no intention of staying long in London, and will not even return to Buckingham Palace to reunite with the rest of the family or attend any further coronation events. “It will be a pretty quick trip for Prince Harry to the UK,” royal experts predict.