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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Kyle O'Sullivan

One demand Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have for attending King Charles' Coronation

One of the biggest controversies surrounding the Coronation of King Charles is whether his son and daughter-in-law will attend.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have still not decided whether they are flying to the UK for the momentous occasion, which will take place on May 6 this year.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be invited as part of the 2,000-strong congregation at Westminster Abbey - and there will also be a star-studded concert at Windsor Castle as pat of a bumper bank holiday weekend.

However, with less than three months to go, sources close to the Sussexes have told The Mirror that they still don't know whether they will be there in person.

There are a number of issues, with relations between Harry and his family at an all time low, and the historic event awkwardly takes place on Archie's birthday.

According to sources, whether Harry and Meghan attend rests on one simple demand.

Harry and Meghan have not decided whether they will attend Charles' Coronation (Getty Images)

It is understood Harry wants a summit with King Charles and Prince William to discuss their issues.

A source said: "Harry has been very clear and his position hasn't wavered – he isn’t going to come if he feels the atmosphere will be as toxic as it was during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and funeral.

"He's said he wants to reconcile with his family and it’s their call, but so far nothing has changed."

If it does go ahead, everyone will hope it goes better than the infamous Sandringham summit in January 2020, where the terms of Harry's departure from royal duties were laid out.

The emergency meeting ended with the Queen reluctantly granting her grandson and his wife permission to step down as senior royals after discussing titles, finances and security.

In his Netflix series, Harry claimed he was "terrified" when his brother Prince William "screamed and shouted" at him during the meeting.

The Duke of Sussex also accused his father, King Charles, of saying things that "simply weren't true" while the late Queen "sat there and took it all in".

There is a rift in the Royal Family (Getty Images)

Invitations for the coronation have not yet been sent out, although Palace sources suggested guests would start receiving them within days.

The Royal Family are understood to be "fully expecting" Harry and Meghan despite reported anger at allegations in his memoir Spare.

But neither the King nor Prince William have spoken directly to Harry and Meghan about their attendance at the event.

Despite being the King's son and remaining fifth in line to the throne, Harry will play no special role if he does show up and won't be allowed to appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

One scenario is that Harry may come to the event on his own, with Meghan staying at home in California, particularly as it's Archie's 4th birthday.

The office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex did not respond to our requests for comment.

However, the royal source said: "Whatever they do it will most likely be as a family."

Harry and Meghan may choose to stay in California (Netflix)

During an interview with Tom Bradby on ITV earlier this month, Harry was asked if he will come to the coronation if he is invited, and he said: "There's a lot that can happen between now and then.

"But, you know, the door is always open. The ball is in their court.

"There's a lot to be discussed and I really hope that they can - that they are willing to sit down and talk about it, because there's a lot that's happened in six years. And prior to that as well."

Government advisers are also putting plans in place in case Harry decides to attend the coronation in a 48-hour whirlwind trip.

According to reports, the plan is being put together so that if the Sussexes do decide to attend they will not "overshadow" the event.

It's also hoped there will be no awkward public encounters between Harry and Meghan and the Prince and Princess of Wales.

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