Royal Family 'won't talk' to Harry at Coronation
Prince Harry may have got an invitation to King Charles' Coronation - but it doesn't mean his family will welcome him back with open arms. Buckingham Palace was pleased to announce that Harry will be part of the congregation inside Westminster Abbey for the historic event on May 6. According to insiders, Harry was cutely aware that the historic occasion will be "pretty much the most important day" of the King's life and knew he would regret not attending.
However, he is not expected to take part in either the King's Procession or the Coronation Procession to and from Buckingham Palace, nor will he be on the famous balcony. The Duke of Sussex will also be without wife Meghan Markle, who has decided to remain at home in California with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. These leaves Harry with just two possible allies - with insiders claiming most members of the Royal Family 'have no interest in talking beyond basic greetings'.
Prince Harry won't have many allies at the Coronation (REX/Shutterstock)
Relations between the Sussexes and the rest of the royals are at an all-time low, but Harry must now face the music on May 6.
In Harry's book Spare, he wrote warmly of his relationship with his "Pa" and later told ITV he would "always love" his father. But he made a number of very damaging allegations against The Firm and individual members of his family, including King Charles and Queen Camilla. The royal family has "no interest" in talking to Harry "beyond the most basic of greetings," sources told the Daily Mail.
However, they did add that Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who has stayed close friends with her cousin and visited him in California, may be the only "exceptions". It's claimed Prince William has no desire to speak to his younger brother after feeling hurt by his recent behaviour. The brothers had no contact at the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations last summer and the pair barely spoke at her funeral aside from their famous 'Windsor walk'.
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie might be the only exceptions (UK Press via Getty Images)
Due to the tensions within the Royal Family, Harry's arrival at Westminster Abbey will be meticulously crafted down to the exact minute.
Harry and William will reportedly be separated and sat several rows away from each other, with organisers keen to make sure there aren't any public rows on the big day. The princes will be sat so far apart that cameras will not be able to get a direct shot of the pair together, according to the Daily Express. Any potential smirks, sideways glances or awkward stares will not be broadcast to the entire world.
Harry will bump into a lot of people he and his wife have made allegations against in Spare and their Netflix docu-series. Some of his strongest criticism came against Queen Camilla, who he referred to as 'the Other Woman' in his book, claiming he once pondered if she would become his "wicked stepmother". In a TV interview, Harry added: "She was the villain.
She was the third person in their marriage. She needed to rehabilitate her image."
Harry is close with Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank (Getty Images)
Charles was said to be furious at how his son has spoken about his wife - saying it "crossed the line". Harry has accused his father of being cold, revealing his parenting technique is to 'smother' his kids with 'love and affection', and claimed he "doesn't speak the same language" as the rest of his family.
Their relationship has become strained even further as Charles decided to kick Harry and Meghan out of Frogmore Cottage - the home which was gifted to them by the late Queen Elizabeth II. According to Omid Scobie, one of the authors behind the biography of Harry and Meghan, Finding Freedom, the couple were left "stunned" by the movie, while two other royals have also been left "appalled". Royal sources have claimed Charles took decisive action immediately after being passed a dossier of findings by aides revealing details from Harry's explosive book.
An insider said: "It was the last straw. Harry was well aware how Camilla would be a red line for his father and he crossed with flagrant disregard anyway. The King felt without a doubt it crossed a line - it was the ultimate act of disrespect."
Prince Harry has not been in contact with his father (Getty Images)
Despite the awkward tensions, sources told The Telegraph that Harry knew he would always regret it if he turned down the opportunity to be at the Coronation.
According to sources, Harry wanted a summit with King Charles and Prince William to discuss their issues before the Coronation. A source told The Mirror: "Harry has been very clear and his position hasn't wavered - he isn't going to come if he feels the atmosphere will be as toxic as it was during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee and funeral. "He's said he wants to reconcile with his family and it's their call, but so far nothing has changed."
That meeting has not taken place, so Harry will be reuniting with his father and brother for the first time on the Coronation day itself. During an interview with Tom Bradby on ITV earlier this year, Harry was asked if he will come to the coronation if he is invited, and he said: "There's a lot that can happen between now and then. "But, you know, the door is always open.
The ball is in their court.
"There's a lot to be discussed and I really hope that they can - that they are willing to sit down and talk about it, because there's a lot that's happened in six years.
And prior to that as well."