Royal family's plan of attack for Harry's coronation attendance …
Prince Harry will reportedly be given the "cold shoulder" at King Charles' coronation on May 6. Buckingham Palace finally confirmed the Duke of Sussex will be making the trip for the event at London's Westminster Abbey after he RSVP more than a week past the deadline. Meghan Markle however will remain in California with the couple's two children, Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie - whose fourth birthday is on the same day.
Harry's decision to attend the coronation alone has sparked major controversy given his fractured relationship with the royal family. He's not expected to play any formal role in the service nor stand on the balcony as he prepares for a very "brief and quick" trip to the UK. But the event is looking "awkward" for Harry as royal sources tell the Daily Mail that most of his family have "no interest" in talking to him beyond "the most basic of greetings".
It is reported Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, who have maintained a relationship with Harry amid the fallout, may be the only exception to the cold act.
The publication also revealed that even though Prince William would never stop his brother from attending their father's coronation, he has "no plans" to speak to him. The Daily Express has shared a similar insight, saying senior royals are not focused on "reconciliation" with Harry, and instead are making sure arrangements are in place for the big day. "Senior members of the Firm are focused on planning and rehearsing for the historic occasion and have no appetite or time at this stage for thinking about any attempt at reconciliation," a royal source told the outlet.
According to The Sun, the King is "happy" that Harry is making the effort to attend the coronation but feels "some disappointment" about not seeing Meghan or two of his grandchildren.
It is rumoured the King may put on a front to ensure the day runs smoothly but as for the rest of the clan, it could be awkward. The coronation will be the first time the Duke has been seen with the royal family since the release of his bombshell memoir Spare earlier this year. The book unleashed a series of allegations against the institution, just months after the pair released a Netflix docuseries which also targeted the monarchy.
It will also be the first time Harry and William have been seen together amid the Duke's damning claims of their falling out.
As for Meghan, Daily Mirror Royal Editor Russell said it was a "convenient get out" for her to use Archie's birthday as an excuse to not attend the coronation.
But he said Meghan's decision to avoid the service was not unexpected given the couple's fractured relationship with the royals which was not far from "rock bottom".