After various theories, it has been confirmed Prince Harry will be attending his father, King Charles III coronation in May alone while his wife, Meghan Markle stays at home with their two children.
Buckingham Palace confirmed the news of the Duke of Sussexes solo visit to Westminster Abbey at midnight Thursday AEST time.
The funeral of Prince Harry’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, was the last time the couple were spotted amongst the royal family. (Image: Getty)
“Buckingham Palace is pleased to confirm that The Duke of Sussex will attend the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey on May 6th,” the palace wrote in its statement.
“The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.”
The sudden announcement has finally put an end to speculation regarding the Sussexes involvement in the historic coronation ceremony, which is the same day as little Archie’s fourth birthday. Many royal enthusiasts were starting to believe all signs pointed to a royal snub.
Prince Harry’s appearances in London’s High Court amidst his ongoing legal battle with the Daily Mail has been the first time the Prince has been spotted in England since the funeral of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September of last year.
Speculation surrounding the Sussexes attendance at the coronation came after a statement from an official spokesperson for Prince Harry that confirmed he had received an email from his father’s office regarding the coronation, but that they would not disclose whether or not they would be in attendance.
Royal expert Christine Ross previously told Express.co.uk that she ‘suspect[s] the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will attend the coronation, and it will be up to royal planning committees to ensure the focus remains on King Charles III.’
Simpler Times: Prince Harry shares a laugh with his brother, Prince William, and father, King Charles. (Image: Getty)
It was suggested the Sussexes role would be out of the spotlight and less public face-time as a result of the polarising reaction they received during the celebration of the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Although Meghan will not be by Harry’s side, the roles could be similar.
While some pundits believe that the reunion of the Prince and the new King will serve as a great benefit for the coronation, others are not as convinced.
‘What they’re really trying to do is turn the King’s coronation, the most important day in the life of Charles III into a sideshow, into a reality TV circus’, GB News host Dan Wootton told Sky News Australia.
Wootton also went as far as to suggest that the King rescind the invitation, given that the couple ‘have had weeks’ to reply, arguing ‘if King Charles had any common sense he would say enough is enough now.’
The new King wasn’t always as involved in coronation proceedings! 4-year-old Charles alongside Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and Princess Margaret at Queen Elizabeth II’s 1953 coronation. (Image: Getty)
Which came as a response to Prince Harry and Meghan’s alleged list of coronation demands, including the formal acknowledgement of their children, Princess Archie and Princess Lilibet, on their invitation, as well as permission to stand alongside the members of the royal family after the ceremony on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
Although Prince Harry and Meghan’s attitudes towards the coronation are highly speculative at this point, only time will tell if they are welcomed into the proceedings with open arms or if they will be ostracised to the back stalls of Westminster Abbey.
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