The Duke of Sussex is set to journey to London for the May 6 event, despite the persisting public discord among royal family members.
Buckingham Palace confirmed on Wednesday that Prince Harry would be present at his father’s coronation next month, concluding conjecture about whether the Duke of Sussex’s strained relationship with the royal family would impact his attendance at this significant occasion. The palace stated that Meghan, Harry’s wife, and their two children would not join him at the event. King Charles III’s coronation will occur at Westminster Abbey in London on May 6.
After retiring from royal duties in 2020 and relocating to the United States, Prince Harry participated in a few royal events, such as Queen Elizabeth II’s September and Prince Philip’s funeral in 2021. However, the attendance of Harry, Meghan, and their children at the coronation has been a subject of ongoing speculation following interviews, documentaries, and Harry’s memoir, “Spare,” which revealed a widening rift within the royal family.
Harry’s temporary return to the royal circle comes a month after he and Meghan were requested to vacate Frogmore Cottage, their five-bedroom residence on the grounds of Windsor Castle. The house was offered to the couple by Queen Elizabeth during their 2018 wedding and served as their UK base after moving to Montecito, California.
Since leaving Britain, the couple negotiated their royal duties withdrawal in 2020 and has been at the center of multiple media frenzies. Harry’s memoir came after several high-profile interviews and a Netflix series in which he and Meghan recounted ongoing harassment by the British press. However, a remarkable 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, during which Meghan disclosed concerns the royal family raised about their then-unborn child’s skin colour, signalled a new level of animosity for the typically reserved royal family.
In his memoir, Harry expressed his desire for him and Meghan to maintain some of their royal duties and the security accompanying their titles. However, following a meeting dubbed “the Sandringham Summit” by the British media, Harry wrote that they were informed they would no longer represent the queen and would lose their security.
In his memoir, Harry states, “I love my Mother Country, and I love my family, and I always will. I just wish they’d both been there for me at the second-darkest moment of my life.”
Despite everything, Harry reportedly remained close to the queen until her passing. The couple named their daughter Lilibet after the queen’s childhood nickname and paid her a surprise visit in April of the previous year.
As the coronation of King Charles III approaches, the royal family continues to make headlines. With Prince Harry’s attendance confirmed, all eyes will be on him during the ceremony. Many are wondering how interactions between Harry and the other members of the royal family will unfold, given the publicized rift.
In the meantime, Meghan and their children will remain in the United States. The couple has been increasingly involved in various philanthropic endeavours and has continued working on their production projects since returning from their royal duties. Their decision not to attend the coronation will likely draw further speculation and media attention.
With the absence of Meghan and their children at the coronation, some questions have arisen about the future relationship between the couple and the royal family. However, it is essential to remember that Harry’s presence at the event signifies a willingness to maintain connections with his family, despite the recent difficulties.
The upcoming coronation is an opportunity for the royal family to come together and celebrate a new era under the reign of King Charles III. While the recent controversies have undoubtedly cast a shadow over the event, the focus should remain on the historical significance of the ceremony and the beginning of a new chapter for the British monarchy.
As the royal family navigates this transitional period, they hope to find a way to heal and work towards a more united future. While the challenges and disagreements may not be quickly resolved, the coronation provides a chance for reflection and a renewed commitment to the values that have defined the monarchy for centuries.
