As the Coronation countdown enters its final hours, many are wondering what the atmosphere will be lke as Prince Harry returns from California without Meghan Markle for the event.
Speculation has been heightened after the Duke of Sussex's cousins Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice were spotted meeting with one of his biggest and most outspoken critics last week.
But a royal expert has predicted that Prince Harry "won't burn the final bridge", despite his relationship with the princesses being on the rocks after they were spotted meeting with Piers Morgan - who lost his job at ITV after refusing to apologise for comments made about the Duchess of Sussex.
Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice met up with Piers and other friends, including singer-songwriter James Blunt, at The Princess Royal pub in London's Notting Hill neighbourhood. They were spotted laughing and joking with the controversial presenter as they left the venue.
Prince Harry was apparently less than impressed by the development. "After everything Piers has said about them as a couple - especially Meghan, who he's called so many names - Harry and Meghan are astonished that they've gone behind their backs," a royal expert told OK!.
But in their eyes, neither Princess Eugenie or Beatrice believe they have done anything wrong. They were simply keen to get to know the presenter, as they would like to be grilled about their lives as he has done with other high-profile names.
In fact, the sisters were apparently so eager to work with the host that they reached out to the King to ask for his blessing before agreeing to anything.
Given Piers' previous comments about the couple, and Meghan especially, many royal fans were curious as to how Harry would interact with his cousins at the Coronation on Saturday, May 6. But royal expert Tessa Dunlop has predicted Harry "will smile" and look beyond it.
She also gave her insight from the side of Eugenie and Beatrice, explaining to OK! that keeping a global star like Piers Morgan on side is important, especially given the saga their father, Prince Andrew, found himself involved in which may have overshadowed the princesses.
"Knowing Piers, he's a massive royalist," Tessa explained. "Love him or loathe him, he's one of the very few presenters with global reach, so people overseas know who Piers Morgan is.
"I think Eugenie and Beatrice, who have been somewhat overshadowed by the saga that accompanied their father, probably recognise that they can't afford to alienate people like Piers Morgan.
"So I don't blame them, if they're in chats or at least being polite or if they were seen hanging out alongside Piers Morgan, I don't believe they can't be friends with Harry."
Tessa also explained how the pair may have been hoping to use the press to their advantage and control a narrative. "They're realists," she said.
"They also use the press, they also understand about platforms, they're not born yesterday, it's not like Eugenie and Beatrice were slagging Harry off to Piers.
"I understand why the girls are doing it because I think they're in a difficult position and actually they behave in a very discreet impressive fashion given all the nonsense that they've had to put up with for both their father and their mother and in the way in which it has been cast into part of the royal family narrative in the press, they’ve just kept their heads down.”
Turning her attention to Harry and the upcoming Coronation, she said: "Harry is probably a bit disappointed but I’m sure he’s not that thin-skinned, you can't control your cousins or friends' contact list."
The Duke has shared a close bond with cousin Eugnie and her husband Jack, and according to Tessa, Eugenie is the person who has had "the most contact with Harry", so she doubts he'll end their friendship over something so trivial.
“I don’t think he’ll burn that final bridge with Eugenie and Beatrice”, she said.
When it comes to the Coronation itself, it will be one of the few times Prince Harry has spent time with his family since The Queen's death, and Tessa explained that their etiquette training will prevent any public disagreements.
“The royal family are really good, trained from birth for keeping up appearances,” she began. “I think if they’re in the same pew at the Coronation you won’t know it’s not ok, there will be pleasantries, head nods, small smiles, discreet handshakes, what they've been trained to do from birth.
“I don’t think it will be cold in anyway, you can’t underestimate the impact of being in front of the cameras from birth, which is effectively what they've had to tolerate, had to put up with, they know what these gigs involve.”
There's also the simple fact that they're family who have been apart, with Tessa explaining spending time together could harken back to a simpler and more nostalgic time.
She said: “Normally when you see your cousin, even if they're a bit annoying, or they've let you down you feel a warmth, they take you back to your childhood. I think Harry will smile”
