Lthe long-awaited confirmation came in the afternoon from court officials who, after the delays caused by Harry and Meghan, can now finalize the preparations for the ceremony: «Buckingham Palace is pleased to confirm that the Duke of Sussex will be present at the Coronation ceremony to be held on May 6 at Westminster Abbey. The Duchess of Sussex will stay in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet».
Prince Harry with his father Charles before Megxit, April 2019 (Getty Images)
Prince Harry alone at the Coronation of King Charles
The release comes after months of uncertainty. King Charles himself had insisted on inviting them, to try in some way to improve relations with his son and daughter-in-law. But it took the Sussexes quite some time to decide, aware that they are not particularly welcome at court after the allegations and revelations contained in the autobiography Shoot, in the documentary Harry & Meghan, produced by Netflixand in various interviews granted by the prince.
Harry’s hit and run
On Saturday 6 May, Harry will cover the ceremony in Westminster, seated in the audience and without a formal role, as he is no longer working Royal. And as soon as the historical rite is over, he will return to the airport to board a flight to California.
The other Windsors will instead participate in a procession to Buckingham Palace to continue the celebrations which will culminate with the exit on the balcony of King Charles with Camilla and the few Royals admitted, including William, Kate and their three children.
At the Coronation Harry will have no contact with King Charles
During Harry’s fleeting visit there will therefore be no time for pleasantries. The prince will be kept away from his relatives, even by his father Carlo and stepmother Camilla, as well as by his brother William. Also because all the senior Royals have long confirmed that they do not want to find themselves chatting about this and that with Harry, for fear of then reading the contents of their private conversations in the next book signed by one of the Sussexes.
The excuse for Harry’s hasty departure? Prince Archie’s birthday
Just after the official statement from Buckingham Palace, Omid Scobie, a journalist friend of the Sussexes, revealed with a post on Twitter one of the main reasons behind Harry’s decision: in fact, the birthday of the little prince is celebrated on the same day as the Coronation in Montecito Archie, who turns 4.
But the entire Sussex family is known to have wished they were in Westminster. Indeed, Harry and Meghan had hoped for a formal role for their new prince son at the ceremony. A request ignored – without hesitation – by Buckingham Palace.
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