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The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, will attend his father King Charles III’s coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023, without Meghan Markle. Buckingham Palace confirmed the news on Wednesday, revealing that the Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Prince Harry’s Reason for Attending
Prince Harry’s attendance at the ceremony is expected to be brief, as he will not attend any other events surrounding the coronation.
The prince’s decision to attend the coronation ceremony is said to be motivated by his desire to support his father during a significant moment in his life.
King Charles, 74, will be crowned alongside his wife, Queen Camilla. While the couple will be present at the ceremony, sources claim that they are unlikely to attend any other events surrounding the coronation.
According to sources, the Duchess of Sussex will remain in California because their son Archie’s fourth birthday falls on the same day as the coronation ceremony. The couple was last seen in the UK during the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.
Rift within the House of Windsor
Prince Harry’s decision to attend the coronation ceremony comes despite the reported rift within the royal family, prompted by his revelations about his family in his bestselling book, Spare.
The book, which detailed private conversations with King Charles and Prince William, revealed tensions between Prince Harry and his family that became public when he and Meghan moved to North America in 2020.
The book also contained allegations that members of the royal family regularly fed the press unflattering information about other members of the House of Windsor in exchange for positive coverage of themselves.
The revelations reportedly further strained the relationship between Prince Harry and his family.
In March 2023, the Sussexes acknowledged that they were asked to vacate their home in Britain.
Frogmore Cottage, located on the grounds of Windsor Castle, was the couple’s main residence before they gave up their royal duties and moved to Montecito, a wealthy enclave in Southern California.
King Charles reportedly asked them to relinquish the dwelling on Jan. 11, 2023, the day after Prince Harry’s memoir was published.
Harry’s Attendance at Coronation Sparks Hope for Family Reconciliation
The acrimony between Prince Harry and his family once again spilled into public view after Prince Harry received an email correspondence from the king’s office regarding the coronation.
A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex confirmed the receipt of the email, but the decision on whether the couple would attend was not disclosed at the time.
A source close to the royal household told People that King Charles was eager to have his son present for the event. “It is such a momentous occasion for King Charles, and he would want his son to be at the coronation to witness it,” said the palace insider.
“He would like to have Harry back in the family. If they don’t sort it out, it will always be part of the king’s reign and how he has left his family disjointed.”
The coronation ceremony will be held at London’s Westminster Abbey, with the royal family in attendance.
Prince Harry’s attendance at the ceremony will be a significant moment for the House of Windsor, given the reported tensions between him and his family.
However, it is unclear whether his attendance will help repair his relationship with his family.
