The seating plan for a big family event always presents challenges to the organisers. There is always an issue over hierarchy – and you want to avoid seating warring family factions next to one other.
But those kind of dilemmas are going to be taken to a whole new level of awkwardness for King Charles III' coronation, reports the Mirror. And the problem centres around Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who are still yet to publicly confirm whether they will be part of the congregation at Westminster Abbey on May 6.
Their attendance seemingly rests on a number of factors, including the reported desire for a 'showdown' chat with Charles and Prince William and acknowledgement of Prince Archie's fourth birthday. Relations between the pair and the Royal Family are at an all-time low, which makes it even harder to sort out a number of key issues, including where people will sit.
Read more: Prince Harry's six 'demands' for coronation – including balcony position and security
At the late Queen's funeral, Harry and Meghan sat directly behind Charles and Camilla, in the second row next to Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. Meanwhile, Prince Andrew got a front row seat along with his siblings – and there is an understanding that Charles will follow 'protocol' again.
Even though Harry, Meghan and Andrew are no longer working royals, past precedent is expected to be followed. If the Duke and Duchess of Sussex do attend, the 'hierarchy' will be followed and Harry should get a more central seat because he is the King's son.
While they might be seated together, it's been reported that many members of the Firm are privately telling friends they will give the Harry and Meghan the "cold shoulder". And some are hoping they will have to sit far away from the rest of the Royal Family so they don't have to socialise.
A source, described as friend of the family by the Mail, told the paper: "They will be given the cold shoulder by very many relatives. One said to me, 'I hope they'll be seated in Iceland.'
"Many of the family just want nothing more to do with them. If they have to see them at the Coronation then so be it, but they do not want to socialise with them."
Organisers will be keen to keep the focus on the King and Queen Consort – and they might not be on the cameras very often. A seemingly innocent candle caused an uproar at the late Queen's funeral, as some people were convinced it was used to block Meghan.
During the procession at Westminster Abbey, several people took to Twitter to question whether Meghan had been positioned behind a candle on purpose. Meghan was sat next to her husband and Princess Beatrice in the second row, behind Queen Consort Camilla, but her face was blocked by a large yellow candle.
There is also the issue of who will get to stand on the famous Buckingham Palace balcony – and it seems Harry and Meghan won't be there. The Sussexes and their children were not present on the balcony for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations last summer, but the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children were.
A source claims the Sussexes are asking Palace aides to include them on the balcony with the rest of the Royal Family once the King has been crowned to wave to the crowds. The insider said: "Once the King has been crowned, there will be a Coronation procession that will start at Westminster Abbey and end at Buckingham Palace.
"Once the procession reaches the Palace, the King will take to the balcony and wave at the crowds with the rest of the royal family members and their children. This is where Harry and Meghan have requested inclusion."
However, it seems like they may be banned from the balcony along with other non-working royals.
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