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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Fionnula Hainey

Prince Harry WILL attend King's Coronation - but Meghan will stay behind

Prince Harry will attend the King's Coronation next month but Meghan will stay in the USA, Buckingham Palace has announced.

In a statement released this afternoon, the Palace said: “Buckingham Palace is pleased to confirm that the Duke of Sussex will attend the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey on 6th May. The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.”

Until now, the Palace had remained tight-lipped on the couple's plans for the Coronation, which will take place on May 6 - also the date of Prince Archie's fourth birthday. Around 2,000 guests have been invited to the coronation service of King Charles and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey.

READ MORE: King's Coronation details revealed - including start time, procession route and more

It has not been confirmed whether or not Harry will play any particular role in the coronation ceremony, whether he will join the carriage procession or appear on the Palace balcony with the royal family in the celebrations afterwards.

Harry's nephew and future king Prince George will have a special role during the coronation, as he has been named a Page of Honour for his grandfather. Along with seven other schoolboys, including three of Camilla's grandkids, he will play a part in carrying the robes of prominent figures during the day.

In March, Prince Harry made a surprise visit to the UK to attend a court hearing as part of his claim against Daily Mail publisher Associated Newspapers over allegations of unlawful information-gathering. It is understood he was unable to meet with the King or the Prince of Wales during the brief trip.

It was his first visit to the UK since the Queen's funeral and came just weeks after the publication of his memoir Spare, which went into detail about his troubled relationship with his father and brother. The book, published in January, criticised Charles’ parenting, said the King was jealous of Meghan and Kate, and accused William of physically attacking him.

Harry's attendance at the Coronation will see him appear in a public setting with Charles, Camilla, his brother William and sister-in-law Kate for the first time since the book's release.

In the three years since the Sussexes stepped down as senior working royals, the couple has been critical of the monarchy, telling their story in their Netflix documentary and in a televised interview with Oprah Winfrey. Harry and Meghan were also asked earlier this year to vacate their UK home Frogmore Cottage, in a move sanctioned by the King.

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