Meghan Markle was "never likely" to attend King Charles' Coronation next month after being put in an "impossible position". It was announced earlier this week that after weeks of speculation, Prince Harry would attend the historic event while Meghan stayed in America with their two children - Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Palace insiders told The Mirror that Harry spent weeks chatting to aides after signalling his intention to travel to the UK. Royal sources added to the publication that the signs were there for Meghan to skip the Coronation as she was seemingly upset about their children's exclusion from the ceremony.
The couple's biographer, Omid Scobie, confirmed Archie's birthday “played a factor in the decision” and he expected it would be a “fairly quick trip to the UK” for Harry.
A royal source added to The Mirror: “The truth of the matter is the Duchess was never likely to attend the coronation. The mood from California was that she felt increasingly put in an impossible position and there’s a fair sense of relief that the situation is resolved after so much speculation and uncertainty.
“It is one thing to attend the late Queen’s funeral out of respect for Her Majesty but another thing entirely to attend the start of a new reign.”
Another source said palace staffers were “cheered that the circus wasn’t coming to town”, while someone else expressed sympathy for Meghan saying: “She is very much damned is she does and damned if she doesn’t. As a mother she’s probably doing the right thing by her young children which should be applauded.”
Harry's stay in the UK will be brief before returning to the US to enjoy his sons fourth birthday celebrations. The Duke will only be attending the ceremony, and will not be taking part in any other role at the Coronation during the three-day bank holiday weekend.
This is thought to be the first time that Harry will be with his family since the Queen's funeral last year, as well as the first time seeing Charles and Prince William since publishing his memoir Spare.
The Coronation is just three weeks away, and has reportedly descended into chaos behind the scenes as sources said the rehearsal overran “significantly”.
Seating plans have still not been decided and builders have been drafted in to build a ramp over fears the King could stumble in his heavy ceremonial robes while walking up to his throne chair after being crowned. Buckingham Palace denied the claims, with aides insisting everything was running smoothly.
Meanwhile, Security measures for the King's coronation will be assessed on a "case-by-case basis" amid a "huge policing operation" - with Harry returning to the UK for the historic occasion. One of the main worries for Harry, 38, is the ongoing issue of his personal security when travelling to the UK.
Policing minister Chris Philp said yesterday (THURS) he hopes the high profile crowning of Charles and the Queen Consort will be similar in success to the "fantastic" handling of the late Queen's funeral.
Mr Philp said police did a "fantastic job" at the late Queen's funeral, adding: "We're going to work to make sure we have a similar successful operation."
More than 2,000 guests will gather at the Abbey on May 6 to witness the nation's first coronation for 70 years, with foreign dignitaries set to include First Lady Jill Biden.
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