The official coronation for King Charles is set for May of this year, but a lot has happened since the death of Queen Elizabeth last September that leaves the guest list in question. Specifically, the release of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, as well as the Duke of Sussex’ memoir, Spare.
Both pieces of media have revealed a great deal about the alleged inner workings of the royal family, and have perhaps created more conflict. A new report from The Mirror suggests that whether or not Meghan and Harry will be at the coronation is a bit up in the air. Charles may want to them to attend, but he might be too busy to actually hang out with them one-on-one.
“Charles adores Harry and wants him to be there. But he has a coronation to organize,” a source told The Daily Beast. “He simply won’t have the time to organize a special meeting with Harry.”
But the Sussexes don’t want to go if they’ll be entering a “toxic” situation and have been asking for a “summit” with their family ahead of the big day. It was suggested that they are expecting some sort of apology from the family; however, the source stated that “there is considered to be zero probability among William and Kate’s friends that William would ‘apologize’ to Harry.”
“No. What should he apologize for?” they added.
Meghan and Harry’s hesitation to attend reflects their experience when they came to the U.K. for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and met a frosty reception. They supposedly don’t want a repeat.
“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,” another source told the Mirror. “He’s said he wants to reconcile with his family and it’s their call, but so far nothing has changed.”
Aimée Lutkin is the weekend editor at ELLE.com. Her writing has appeared in Jezebel, Glamour, Marie Claire and more. Her first book, The Lonely Hunter, will be released by Dial Press in February 2022.
