Prince Harry to attend King Charles III’s coronation without wife Meghan
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Buckingham Palace announced on Wednesday that Prince Harry will attend his father King Charles III’s coronation in London without his wife Meghan.
The announcement comes after weeks of speculation about Harry and Meghan’s presence, who have launched a barrage of criticism at the British royal family since announcing their retirement from royal duties in early 2020.
“Buckingham Palace is pleased to confirm that the Duke of Sussex will attend the coronation service at Westminster Abbey on the 6th of May,” the palace said in a statement, using Harry’s official title.
“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.”
Archie’s fourth birthday coincides with the coronation, which formally crowns Charles as King.
According to the domestic PA news agency, Harry’s trip to the UK will be brief, and he will not attend any other coronation-related events.
Tell-all autobiography
The delay in responding to the invitation by Harry and Meghan has reportedly caused difficulties for organizers, given the security concerns for an event expected to be attended by numerous foreign dignitaries and heads of state.
Since the release of his blockbuster memoir “Spare” in January, Harry’s attendance has been viewed as particularly sensitive.
The 38-year-old prince claimed in his explosive autobiography that his elder brother, Prince William, assaulted him during an argument about Meghan, an American former television actress.
It came after a slew of high-profile interviews and a six-hour Netflix docuseries in which the couple repeatedly slammed the royals.
Meghan, who is mixed race, also told US chat show queen Oprah Winfrey in 2021 that there had been comments made about the colour of Archie’s skin before his birth, which was widely viewed as damaging to the monarchy.
The claim prompted William to lash out, claiming that the royals were “far from a racist family.”
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Despite the tensions, Charles reportedly wanted his younger son to attend the coronation.
Since relocating to the United States, the couple has made only a few trips to the United Kingdom, including in September for the funeral of Harry’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
However, tensions were visible when Harry and Meghan joined William and Kate on a joint walkabout at Windsor Castle to review floral tributes to the late monarch.
Charles, who ascended to the throne following his mother’s death, will be formally crowned king in a pomp-filled ceremony attended by 2,000 people and broadcast live around the world.
The first coronation since 1953 will be marked by a star-studded concert, with Kylie Minogue and Lionel Richie reportedly set to perform.
There will also be a nationwide “Big Lunch” and volunteer initiative, as well as the traditional ceremony and royal processions.
