London: Prince Harry will attend his father’s coronation next month at Westminister Abbey but will travel to Britain without his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex who will remain in California.
The pair’s attendance had been subject to weeks of speculation following a string of explosive television interviews and the release of Harry’s memoir Spare in early January, which deepened rifts in his family.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex in June 2022. Harry has confirmed he will travel to the UK alone for his father’s coronation.Credit: AP
In a statement, Buckingham Palace on Wednesday (UK time) confirmed the duke would join more than 2000 guests at the service on May 6, including public figures, world leaders and 450 representatives of charities and community groups.
“The duchess of sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet,” the Palace said.
It was revealed earlier this month the pair had received an invitation to attend the traditional crowning ceremony, but all parties had remained silent on whether they would attend.
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The children were not formally invited to the Coronation as Buckingham Palace aides waited to hear if they would make the trip before factoring them into any plans.
Their cousin Prince George, nine, will be one of the King’s pages of honour and it is understood that his siblings, Princess Charlotte, seven, and Prince Louis, who will be five on April 23, will take part in the procession, leaving the abbey at the end of the service.
Harry also attended Prince Philip’s funeral by himself in April 2021, while Meghan was pregnant with the couple’s second child. The King’s coronation is the same day as Archie’s fourth birthday.
