Harry, Meghan’s demand is ‘chaos’ at King Charles’ coronation

News

By Nika Shakhnazarova

March 18, 2023 | 13:23

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly demanding a seat on the Buckingham Palace balcony during King Charles’ coronation – and recognition during the celebrations for their two young children, according to a report.

The requests and the couple’s apparent absence until their wishes are granted could throw the historic event into “chaos”, royal insiders fear.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex – who recently received their invitations to the May 6 ceremony – are still considering whether to make the 5,459-kilometre trip.

If they leave, the exiled royals will be met with a “cold shoulder” from senior members of the royal family, according to a report.

Harry and Meghan are mainly worried about the role of their children – Prince Archie, who turns 4 on the day his grandfather is crowned king, and Princess Lilibet, 1, a source close to the palace told OK! Magazine.

It is believed that Archie and Lilibet have not been invited to attend the coronation, which reportedly did not go down well with the exiled royals.

“The palace is trying to end the negotiations as quickly as possible because they cannot get down to the wire. This could lead to chaos,” an insider told the newspaper.

“But what the Sussexes are pushing for is for them to be included with the rest of the family at the palace later that day,” the insider added.

“It’s also Prince Archie’s birthday on Coronation Day, so they’ll want some sort of nod to that at a lunch or drinks reception. Even if it’s just a happy birthday.

The absence of the two youngsters from the event had “never been a point of contention”, according to the source, due to the “restlessness and tantrums” typical of young children.

Harry and Meghan are also reportedly pushing to be included on the Buckingham Palace balcony on the big day – a royal protocol reserved exclusively for working members of the royal family.

“It may well be that it ends in a stalemate and that they do not participate. But the palace is doing everything in its power not to let that happen.”

Charles is due to be formally crowned on May 6, a date fans believe was chosen specifically to cause a conflict for the Sussexes’ and Archie’s birthdays.

Meanwhile, leaked plans revealed that Prince William’s children are expected to attend the coronation, The Times reports.

George, 9, Charlotte, 7, and Louis, 5, are set to join their parents, Prince William and Kate Middleton, in a carriage behind a Gold State Coach carrying the King and Queen, plans seen by the outlet show .

The coronation drama is the latest sign of discord among the royals since the Sussexes stepped down as senior members of the royal family in 2020.

The move resulted in conflict and bad blood and was what ultimately led to their absence from the palace balcony at the late Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations last summer.

The Mail has reached out to representatives for the Sussexes, while Kensington Palace declined to comment.