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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Jennifer Newton

Why Harry and Meghan were snubbed from balcony - but little-known royal got invite

The Coronation of King Charles will not only see him and Queen Camilla crowned in a historic ceremony at Westminster Abbey.

The day, on May 6, will also see a stunning procession after the ceremony to take the royals back to Buckingham Palace before they appear on its balcony.

It is likely to echo scenes from just last year when the Firm greeted crowds from the balcony after Trooping the Colour during the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle travelled to the UK for the bumper bank holiday weekend but did not make an appearance on the balcony with the likes of the late Queen or the now Prince and Princess of Wales.

Prince Harry and Meghan with the Prince and Princess of Wales on the Buckingham Palace balcony in 2018 (Getty Images)

This was because "after consideration" the Queen decide to limit those on the balcony to working royals only.

And because Harry and Meghan quit royal duties in early 2020, they were not among those in the group.

Buckingham Palace said at the time: "After careful consideration, the Queen has decided this year’s traditional Trooping the Colour balcony appearance on Thursday 2nd June will be limited to Her Majesty and those members of the royal family who are currently undertaking official public duties on behalf of the Queen."

The balcony during Trooping the Colour last year (Getty Images)

However, the Queen made an exception for one little-known, non-working royal - her son-in-law, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.

Sir Tim is the husband of Princess Anne and is often at her side during her countless royal engagements.

And the palace said at the time that the Queen was happy for him to be on the balcony as he is a "frequent attendee and support for the Princess Royal on official engagements".

It is not yet known exactly who will appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony after the Coronation - or even if Harry and Meghan will attend.

The balcony was mainly limited to working royals only (Getty Images)

They've yet to confirm if they will travel to the UK from their home in California for the event in just six weeks' time.

However, a spokesman said they had been invited to the Coronation but no immediate decision on whether to attend had been taken.

It has also been reported that organisers had been planning for the Sussexes' attendance with one source telling the Daily Mail: "Harry and Meghan are being factored into all of the planning … the cars, the seating plans, dining arrangements, everything."

Back in January while promoting his controversial memoir Spare, Harry was asked about his potential attendance at the Coronation.

He sat down for a TV interview with ITV News presenter Tom Bradby, who asked if he would attend the historic occasion if he were to be invited.

He cryptically said at the time: "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."

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