Prince Harry will attend King Charles III's coronation but no Meghan

Harry's attendance is seen as particularly sensitive since the publication of his blockbuster memoir Spare in January. In the explosive autobiography, the 38-year-old prince claimed his elder brother Prince William attacked him during an argument about Meghan, an American former television actress. It followed a string of high-profile interviews and a six-hour Netflix docu-series in which the couple repeatedly criticised the royals.

In comments that were widely seen as damaging to the monarchy, Meghan, who is mixed race, also told US chat show queen Oprah Winfrey in 2021 there had been comments made before Archie's birth about the colour of his skin. The claim prompted William to furiously respond that the royals were "very much not a racist family". Despite the tensions, Charles had reportedly been keen for his younger son to be at the coronation.

The couple have made infrequent visits to the UK since relocating to the United States, including for the funeral of Harry's grandmother Queen Elizabeth II in September. But tensions were visible when Harry and Meghan joined William and his wife Kate on a joint walkabout at Windsor Castle to review floral tributes for the late monarch. Charles, who ascended to the throne upon his mother's death, will be formally crowned king in a pomp-filled ceremony attended by 2,000 people and watched by a worldwide television audience.

The celebrations for the first coronation since 1953 will feature a star-studded concert with Kylie Minogue and Lionel Richie reportedly set to perform.

A nationwide "Big Lunch" and volunteering initiative, as well as the traditional ceremony and royal processions, are also planned.