Prince Harry will travel to the United Kingdom for the coronation of his father, King Charles III, in May, Buckingham Palace officials said, but his wife and children will stay behind.
The announcement comes following months of speculation over whether the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would attend the festivities.
“The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet,” officials said in a statement obtained by Sky News.
BREAKING: Prince Harry will go to the Coronation - but Meghan will stay in California.
— Ben Bloch (@realBenBloch) April 12, 2023
“Buckingham Palace is pleased to confirm that the Duke of Sussex will attend the Coronation Service.
“The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.”
Charles will be crowned at a ceremony May 6 at Westminster Abbey in London. His wife, Queen Consort Camilla, will be by his side, palace officials previously said. More than 2,000 guests are expected to attend the event, BBC News reported. In the two days following the king’s coronation, over 1,000 events will be held across the U.K. to celebrate.
Charles became Britain’s monarch in September after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, died in Balmoral Castle in Scotland. She was 96.
Harry and his wife, the former Meghan Markle, stepped down as working royals in 2020 and moved to North America, eventually settling in California. The move, fueled by the intense media scrutiny the couple weathered in the U.K., caused tension among the royal family. The tensions flared following the release of Harry’s memoir, “Spare,” which was released in January, The Associated Press reported.
Charles’ coronation will mark the first meeting between the king and Harry since the release of “Spare,” according to the AP.
©2023 Cox Media Group
