ROYAL FAMILY
Harry and Meghan to make coronation plan following Joe Biden’s decline
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have long delayed their decision on whether they will attend King Charles III’s coronation.
Now that US president Joe Biden has declined the king’s May 6 coronation invitation and decided to send his wife, Jill Biden, in his place, there is widespread speculation that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will make their final decision.
The palace had asked for an RSVP by April 3, and the couple still reportedly have not confirmed their attendance – though they were invited.
Prince Harry has been estranged from the royal family since he and his wife, Meghan Markle, renounced their royal roles as senior members in January 2020. He has not seen his family since September 2022, at Queen Elizabeth’s funeral.
The Sussexes now live in California.
It depends on the guest list?
Source told the Times that Prince Harry and Markle are “on the brink of confirming” their attendance at the coronation — but first, Prince Harry apparently has some questions.
“I hear they are going to confirm their plans soon, particularly now that Biden has,” one source said.
“There have been lengthy discussions between the Sussexes and the palace,” the source continued. “There is a time crunch on this, of course. It is such a historical event and it’s hoped that Harry and Meghan will be there.”
American president Joe Biden told King Charles over the phone that he will not be attending the coronation held at the historic Westminster Abbey this spring. Instead, the first lady, Jill Biden, will go to the UK for the ceremony.
Some royal watchers are raising eyebrows at the president’s decision.
Prince Harry has some questions first
Another source reminded the Times that the royals are not just like everybody else, and Prince Harry will need his questions adressed before committing.
“All families are difficult, but this is no normal family, of course,” they said. “Harry has a lot of questions about how the event will work.”
Should the king’s son and his wife choose to attend, the couple will not be welcome in the coronation procession from the Abbey to Buckingham Palace, nor will they be invited to wave from the iconic balcony of Buckingham Palace with the other senior members of the royal family.
Elder brother and first-in-line to the throne, Prince William, will be the sole royal liege at the coronation ceremony. He will kneel to “pay homage” before the king, touch the crown, and kiss his father on the cheek.
Traditionally, this role has been performed by all royal dukes, but King Charles cut that out of the royal rule book, releasing Prince Harry from the duty.