Royal sources have said that King Charles is extremely disappointed that he won’t see the Duchess of Sussex or his grandchildren at his coronation next month, but is delighted that Prince Harry has chosen to attend.
Buckingham Palace reported the dramatic news in a statement, saying it was happy to confirm the Duke of Sussex will be at Westminster Abbey on May 6, but the Duchess will stay home at the couple’s home in Montecito with one-year-old Lilibet and Archie, whose fourth birthday is on the same day as the ceremony, which will take place in just over three weeks time.
Royal experts said the decision was an ideal compromise which would leave the rest of the family relieved, but some have described the decision as a snub after the King accompanied Meghan down the aisle when she married his younger son.
The news follows the ongoing row between the Sussexes and the rest of the royals, which has become more heated in current months following the release of Prince Harry’s memoir Spare.
A royal source told a newspaper outlet that the King was happy that Harry, his son, who he called his ‘darling boy’ will be at the Abbey.
They said that he wanted him there and that he was very disappointed that he won’t see Meghan or his grandchildren but understands the situation.
Harry’s decision to attend the Westminster Abbey Coronation service is viewed as a possible olive branch by royal insiders, following an earlier demand that his family should apologise to him and Meghan if they were to consider coming.
But plans seen by a newspaper outlet apparently show no intention of giving Harry a role in the ceremony or procession from the Abbey to Buckingham Palace afterwards.
The couple had delayed answering their invitation for weeks, causing problems for organisers tasked with complicated seating plans, transport and security for senior members of the Royal Family, world leaders and other dignitaries.
Sources described the negotiations as a game of transatlantic ping pong, and Harry was said to have wanted numerous assurances about arrangements, but one source said it seemed genuine of Harry to want to attend the coronation.
They said it’s important for Harry as the King’s son to show up for his father, and that seems quite genuine.
Another added that it was about showing up, showing support and being there for his father.
I think some people, forget that behind all this hoopla, they’re still a family, and most families wouldn’t be so quick to give up on theirs even when they’re put through the wringer, and this family isn’t any different.
And as for Meghan if she went to the coronation people would say that was wrong, and if she doesn’t that would also be wrong, she can’t win either way.
I can fully understand why King Charles would be disappointed, and I don’t see any reason why Meghan shouldn’t attend, after all, she is Harry’s wife, but now she’s being treated like the spare. It would have given the King the chance to spend a bit of time with his grandchildren, and why shouldn’t he be allowed to spend time with them, he’s no different than any other family, he’s a grandfather.
Some people might say that King Charles needs to grow a backbone and disown Harry. There’s no way that the King will do that, Harry is his son as much as William is, and blood is thicker than water, and it’s clear that Charles doesn’t want to disown his son and just because people want him to doesn’t mean that he should!
THE MONTHLY MOSQUITO 