All eyes will be on the British royal family today at King Charles’s Coronation in a magnificent ceremony. While 100 heads of state and worldwide leaders will attend the ceremony, one of the talking points will be the absence of Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex.
While Meghan’s husband and Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, will attend King Charles’s coronation ceremony today, the Duchess and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet will remain in California, according to Buckingham Palace.
“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,” the palace said in a statement.
Their eldest son Prince Archie, the sixth-in-line to the throne, turns four on the day of the coronation. One of her friends told People magazine that though Meghan Markle wants to support King Charles, she feels that the scrutiny outweighs the support.
Meghan’s absence comes amid ongoing tensions between Harry and his father and brother, Prince William.
In September of last year, Harry was publicly seen with Charles and William during the death of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
Since leaving royal duties in 2020, Harry and Meghan have launched a series of scathing attacks on the monarchy.
Harry will not take part in the procession and will not have an official role in the ceremony. It is unclear whether he will join the family on the balcony to greet the throng later on Saturday.
Charles succeeded his mother, Queen Elizabeth, who died in September at the age of 74. As he sits on a 14th-century throne today at Westminster Abbey, he will become the oldest British king to wear the 360-year-old St Edward’s Crown.
During the two-hour ceremony, his second wife Camilla, 75, will also be proclaimed queen, attempting to present a forward-thinking monarchy and nation steeped in history.
Also read: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s marriage “Toxic”, claims her half-sister
