Coronation organisers say they are in the dark over Duke's plans

'It's easier to talk to Sinn Fein than Prince Harry': With just days to go, Coronation organisers say they are in the dark over the Duke's plans

Insiders say they are still unaware of Prince Harry's plans for the Coronation
One source said it had been 'easier to deal with Sinn Fein' than with the Duke
Row erupted this week after Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill accepted an invitation

By Glen Owen, Political Editor For The Mail On Sunday

Published: 22:22, 29 April 2023 | Updated: 22:24, 29 April 2023

Coronation organisers are 'stressed' about Prince Harry's plans for Saturday, complaining that establishing them is 'like trying to communicate with Mars'.

Insiders told The Mail on Sunday that they were still seeking confirmation of 'when he is coming, where he is staying, when he is going back and whether he is happy with his seating position in the Abbey'.

Some are even suspicious that he might still pull out at the last minute.

This newspaper revealed in February that the organisers were operating on the basis of a 'Harry in a hurry' appearance by the Prince - that he would pay a lightning visit without his wife Meghan - which was confirmed to be the case earlier this month.

The Duchess of Sussex will remain in America on Coronation day, where she will celebrate the fourth birthday of their son Archie.

But sources say they have been told so little about Harry's plans that 'anything could happen', ranging from a token appearance to a last-minute no-show.

Coronation organisers are 'stressed' about Prince Harry's plans for Saturday, complaining that establishing them is 'like trying to communicate with Mars'

A row erupted last week after Michelle O'Neill, Sinn Fein's vice president and leader in Northern Ireland, accepted an invitation to the Coronation

One source said: 'He has not been responding other than in a "We acknow-ledge your email'' holding manner.

It's like trying to communicate with Mars - it was easier to deal with Sinn Fein.'

A row erupted last week after Michelle O'Neill, Sinn Fein's vice president and leader in Northern Ireland, accepted an invitation to the Coronation.

Meanwhile, Lady Pamela Hicks, a bridesmaid to the late Queen, and whose father Lord Mountbatten was murdered by the IRA - of which Ms O'Neill's party was the political wing throughout the Troubles - was left off the list.

Ms O'Neill, who attended the Queen's funeral in September, said she had accepted the invitation on behalf of the people in Northern Ireland 'for whom the Coronation is a hugely important occasion'.

But it sparked a backlash among Unionists, who said that they were being prevented from celebrating by Nationalist-controlled councils in Ulster.

Last week, Harry continued his battle with the British press when he claimed that the late Queen and King Charles had been complicit in a cover-up of phone hacking by making an agreement with the publisher of the Sun and the News of the World.

But the High Court judge hearing the case, Mr Justice Fancourt, said there appeared to be 'factual inconsistencies' in Harry's legal claim about allegedly being a victim of hacking.

The Coronation source added: 'Harry seems to be adopting a High Noon approach, making everyone sweat about his movements.

'While the Royals are confident that he will show up, others involved are not quite so convinced.

'The working assumption now is that, assuming he does come, it could mean arriving as late as very early Saturday by private jet and leaving by late afternoon the same day.'

The Duke of Sussex's representatives did not respond to a request for comment.