Meghan Markle did not attend King Charles' Coronation because she "didn’t feel comfortable or welcome enough," according to a friend.
Meghan was the only close member of the monarch's family absent from the traditional ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Saturday.
Speaking earlier this month, Meghan's friend Omid Scobie claimed the royal family were "relieved" she had opted not to join Harry at the service.
Now, Omid has argued the 41-year-old Duchess of Sussex chose against attending the celebration because she did not feel "comfortable or welcome enough" to do so.
Writing for Bazaar, he said: "While Charles clearly has an interest in enhancing diversity, it was impossible to ignore the fact that the royal family’s only family member of colour (and mother of the House of Windsor’s only mixed-race children), Duchess Meghan, didn’t feel comfortable or welcome enough to attend."
In the article, Omid, the publication's Royal Editor at Large, noted Charles, 74, has been praised for "embracing diversity" but he alluded to polls which he claimed show "fast-growing apathy toward the royal family".
"Much emphasis was put on the diversity and inclusivity that would be on display during this "modern" coronation. With guests from all backgrounds, representatives of all faiths, and even a gospel choir during the ceremony (though curiously not actually performing gospel music), many trumpeted this coronation as proof that the king embraces diversity," Omid added.
"The road ahead for the British monarchy may be rocky (countless polls continue to reveal a fast growing apathy toward the royal family in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth), but as King Charles and Queen Camilla waved from the Buckingham Palace balcony to the public, the thunderous roar of the Royal Air Forces’ Red Arrows aerobatic team racing overhead and the cheers from The Mall were enough to temporarily drown out any concerns about the future. Beyond that, it remains to be seen."
The Duchess of Sussex remained at her home in California this weekend, and was able to celebrate her son's fourth birthday. Meanwhile Harry, Duke of Sussex, flew back to the US swiftly after the ceremony so he too could be with his son.
He didn't attend a family lunch at Buckingham Palace, despite allegedly being invited.
But a source close to the family said Meghan's mother Doria Ragland was expected to be at little Archie's bash, along with the youngster's pre-school friends and some celebrity pals of the couple.
