Prince Harry + Duchess Meghan
Balcony seat and party for Archie! Then they (perhaps) come to the crowning glory
Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan
© Patrick van Katwijk / Getty Images
King Charles will be crowned in Westminster Abbey in London in a few weeks. His dearest wish, it seems: Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan should be by his side at this historic moment. But a commitment from the Sussexes has not yet been officially confirmed. There could be some demands behind this that are likely to cause the event to skid.
King Charles, 74, would like to restore peace with Prince Harry, 38, and Duchess Meghan, 41, obviously with publicity. Despite the couple’s scathing attacks in their Netflix documentary and the explosive revelations in his youngest son’s memoir, the monarch is seeking peace. The Sussexes received an invitation to their big day at their Californian home a few weeks ago. The two exile royals have not yet confirmed participation. That could be due to some wishes they allegedly made on the occasion.
Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan are said to have two conditions
Harry and Meghan are haggling over their roles at the coronation, according to a source. The insider claims to OK magazine that the two have made two main demands: they reportedly want a seat next to the crowned head on the balcony of Buckingham Palace – and a party for their firstborn Prince Archie, 3.
Meanwhile, a Palace source told the Daily Mirror that the Sussexes’ current refusal to accept the invitation could cause a great deal of turmoil in the organisation. “The palace is trying to finish the negotiations as soon as possible because they cannot go until very close. That could lead to chaos.” The situation is said to be tense at the moment. “It could very well end in a stalemate and they won’t take part. But the Palace is doing everything in its power to prevent that.”
Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet have no place in Westminster Abbey
However, it has already been clarified that Archie and his sister Princess Lilibet Diana, 1, will not be present at the coronation ceremony because they are simply too young for such a state-supporting event. That was “never a point of contention”, as the insider claims. “However, what the Sussexes want is that later in the day they are invited to the palace with the rest of the family.” An understandable wish, which also has another background. “Prince Archie’s birthday is also on the Coronation Day, so at a luncheon or reception they want some sort of nod to that. Even if it’s just a birthday greeting.”
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A modest request that seems quite achievable. But the second alleged claim by the Sussexes is likely to give the coronation organizers a headache. Harry and Meghan together with Charles, Queen Camilla, 75, the Prince, 40, and the Princess of Wales, 41, and probably their children waving on the palace balcony? Inconceivably.
Appearing on the balcony would be a breach of the rules
After the King’s coronation, there will be a festive procession from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace. “Once the procession reaches the palace, the king will step onto the balcony and wave to the crowd with the rest of the royal family and their children,” the source said. “This is where Harry and Meghan asked to be recorded.” It would be a presumptuous wish, since the current regulation only allows such an appearance for the working royals.
But should the Sussexes actually insist on such a demand, they should have bad cards. King Charles might give them the olive branch, but he will certainly use all the power he has to prevent himself from being made a laughingstock of the British on his own territory.
Sources used: ok.co.uk, mirror.co.uk