Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle were formally invited to King Charles and Queen Camilla’s coronation. Indeed, the invitations, which sparked controversy, were sent out last week.
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Since King Charles ascended the throne in September 2022, after his mother passed, there has been a lot of speculation about whether or not the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will attend the historic event.
Less than a month away from King Charles’ coronation, it is still unclear whether or not his son and daughter-in-law will attend his big day. Naturally, royal experts and commentators have weighed in and given their opinions on the matter.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have missed the RSVP deadline
King Charles’ coronation falls on the same day as Prince Harry and Meghan’s son Archie’s birthday. On May 6, the young Sussex will turn 4 years old. Some believe the couple won’t attend as it falls on their child’s birthday.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle struggle with their finances because they are 'huge spenders', according to royal biographer Angela Levin.
— TalkTV (@TalkTV) April 11, 2023
Others think the couple will attend but want their children to have a small part. According to Daily Mail, royal commentator Ephraim Hardcastle, Prince Harry and Meghan want to imitate Charles and Anne during Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953, as reported by Express:
Demanding that Archie be let in for part of the service (so Prince George doesn’t steal all the limelight) and Lilibet be held up at the Palace window to see the Coronation procession depart would imitate the roles played by Charles and Anne back in 1953.
If the couple does attend, it will be the first time they come face to face with the Royal Family since the release of their Netflix documentary, which wasn't filmed at the couple's Montecito home, and Prince Harry’s memoir Spare.
According to Marie Claire, the final day to RSVP to King Charles' coronation was on Monday, April 3, which means Prince Harry and Meghan may have missed the deadline unless the couple decided to answer in private and haven't announced it publically yet.
Prince Harry and Meghan will be the centre of attention
Talk TV host Kevin O’Sullivan discussed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s attendance at King Charles’ coronation ceremony with former royal editor of The Sun, Charlie Rae.
According to Charlie Rae, Prince Harry has polo matches a few days before and after his father’s coronation, but that most likely won’t stop him from attending.
Rae also believes that whether or not the Sussexes will attend, they will be the centre of attention.
Whether they stay away or whether they come, they are going to be a central part of what should be a joyous occasion.
Prince Harry and Meghan can bring their children to the UK
Another point that Charlie Rae brings up, concerns Harry and Meghan’s children, Archie and Lilibet.
He points out that even if they don’t want their children to attend the coronation, Prince Harry and Meghan can still bring them over to the UK and hire a nanny to look after them during the ceremony.
They could take Archie and Lilbet with them and get a nanny to look after the kids to go to the coronation.
Finally, Rae adds that is it ‘disgraceful’ that Prince Harry hasn’t announced his plans and say to his father, King Charles, ‘I’ll be there to support you.’
Sources used:
Express: ‘Royal Family LIVE: Sussexes 'still dithering' over bringing children to King's Coronation’
Talk TV: ‘We’re Still Waiting On The Montecito Muppets' - Will Harry and Meghan Attend The Coronation?’
Marie Claire: 'Coronation RSVP Deadline Passes, and Reportedly Still No Word from the Sussexes'
