Prince Harry would have 'regretted it' had he not attended King …
Following confirmation Prince Harry will attend King Charles III's coronation on May 6 solo, speculation continues as to why the Duchess of Sussex has chosen not to attend. 9Honey's royal correspondent Victoria Arbiter says it's "hugely disappointing" that Meghan Markle "feels she's unable to attend" but Harry attending alone is a reasonable compromise. "At the end of the day, the coronation is going to be the most important day of the King's life, and I think with the benefit of hindsight Harry would have looked back and regretted it had he not been there," Arbiter explained to David Campbell and Sylvia Jeffreys on Today Extra.
Watch the video above. READ MORE: Friend reveals why Meghan said no to coronation
Prince Harry has confirmed his attendance at his father's coronation on May 6. (Samir Hussein/WireImage)
"So, it's the right decision," she added. When asked for possible reasons why Meghan has decided not to attend, Arbiter said it is "quite extraordinary" a "royal duchess" has turned down an invitation from the King, who also happens to be her father-in-law.
"It happens to be Archie's fourth birthday, her little boy's birthday, on May 6 and so it's been suggested that that is one of the key reasons she's opted to stay in California," Arbiter continued. READ MORE: Tiny size, unbelievable price, the speaker everyone's buying now
Victoria Arbiter said it is 'quite extraordinary' a 'royal duchess' has turned down an invitation from the king. (Getty)
"But I think this is a very convenient excuse and one that they're going to milk all the way up until the coronation." The couple's daughter Lilibet's first birthday fell during Queen's Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee celebrations on June 4, 2022.
Harry and Meghan chose to host a birthday celebration for their daughter at Frogmore Cottage where they were staying. READ MORE: 'Meghan's coronation boycott has signalled the end of her royal life'
The official invitation to the coronation of King Charles coronation at Westminster Abbey. (Buckingham Palace)
King Charles' coronation will take place on May 6. (Getty)
"I think, ultimately, this is after all those allegations levelled against the royal family, between Spare and the Netflix series, it's simply too uncomfortable to be in England," Arbiter speculated of Meghan's decision to miss the event. When it comes to how Harry will be received, Arbiter said she expects his presence to be "uncomfortable" as well.
"Ultimately I think his father, the King, is going to be absolutely delighted that he's there," she added. READ MORE: Mum's £3 Kmart hack 'transforms' old soft toys
Meghan has chosen to remain at the couple's California home with their children Archie and Lilibet. (Getty)
"There's not going to be a lot of time for social interaction but I think the King will be very happy to have his son in attendance." In terms of the rest of the royal family, Arbiter expects them to be "quite frosty" towards Harry.
"Talking about events, it's going to be so busy. I think Harry's literally going to go to the ceremony and probably get out of there very quickly with that in mind," she continued, adding there isn't going to be much room for "chit chat."
Arbiter expects the royal family to be 'quite frosty' towards Harry. (Getty)
Contrary to reports the delay in the couple's decision as to whether or not they would attend caused chaos, Arbiter doesn't think this is the case, and feels Harry and Meghan are simply "easy to blame." "Because Harry is not a working member of the royal family, he was never going to be involved in an official capacity," she added.
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