Meghan didn't want to take the spotlight from Charles and sought to “protect her peace.” Omid Scobie, the royal reporter who co-authored the Meghan Markle and Prince Harry biography Finding Freedom, told ITV's “This Morning” Wednesday that Meghan was purposely trying not to take attention from Charles.
Meanwhile, The Telegraph understands that the main reason behind the Duchess of Sussex's decision to remain in the US was the desire to celebrate Prince Archie's fourth birthday, which fell on the same day as the Coronation.
On Saturday, the palace confirmed that he would have "no formal role" at the King's coronation. The prince's representatives are understood to be at pains today to spell out exactly what that means - he was not invited to be on the balcony with working members of the Royal Family.
Charles' younger son Prince Harry will also attend the coronation, but three members of the royal family will be notably absent. Harry's wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and their two children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet will not attend. The trio plan to stay behind in California, where they live.
Previously, the vast majority of the couple's expenses—which Forbes estimated to be about $800,000 annually—were paid for by Harry's father, now King Charles III, through the Duchy of Cornwall, which last year netted Charles some $27 million.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will not be stripped of royal titles due to 'Queen's gift'
The King's former sister-in-law Sarah Ferguson was not invited to the coronation. She's the ex-wife of Prince Andrew, who was invited and is expected to attend but not participate in the ceremony. (Prince Andrew was stripped of his royal patronages and military titles in 2022 after accusations of sexual assault.)
Prince Harry admitted there are still a handful of things that he misses about being royal and his time growing up in the UK, but he still wouldn't change anything about his life today.
When his father King Charles is crowned at Westminster Abbey, Prince Harry will be one of the 2,000 or so people in the congregation. Unlike his brother Prince William, though, Harry will not have a specific role to play in the service.
In the opinion of some palace insiders, the public perceives Prince Charles as too old to be king. Whether that is true or fair to say, the bottom line is that had the queen stepped down in favor of her eldest son, it would have had the effect of merely replacing one elderly monarch with another.
Meghan Markle's relationship with father-in-law King Charles III has shifted over the years. Charles called Harry's engagement "marvelous" and walked Meghan down the aisle at her wedding. Meghan has since spoken out about her experience in royal life and is skipping Charles' coronation.
However, it is not actually necessary for the monarch to be crowned to become King. Edward VIII reigned without a coronation - and Charles automatically became King the moment Queen Elizabeth II died.
William, who attended the coronation with his wife and children, and Harry, who attended the coronation alone, did not appear to interact at all during the service at Westminster Abbey.
At present, Harry is fifth in line to the throne and this is a birthright "privilege" that cannot be revoked without an Act of Parliament being in place.
Buckingham Palace confirmed Prince Harry's attendance in April, but noted that he and Prince Andrew would have no formal roles in the coronation because they're no longer working royals, according to the BBC.
Duke of Sussex Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan Markle are “very much in love" and “happy together", said Karl Larsen, photographer and friend to Meghan's father Thomas Markle. Karl Larsen's remarks came amid false reports that the couple is heading for a divorce.
Prince Harry and Meghan no longer receive money from the Royal Family and have a series of commercial arrangements with a number of companies.
Meghan and Harry's financial autonomy
That means that when they made the decision to step back from their roles as senior working royals, Harry and Meghan were left with a meager sum of $13 million (estimated by Forbes), largely made up of the inheritance from Harry's late mother's estate.
Prince Andrew is the most unpopular, with just 7% of Britons holding a positive opinion and 86% a negative one – though with a net score of -79 his is the only rating that has stayed steady among the public.
They explained that this coronation was to be very different to the Queen's. 8,000 guests would be whittled down to 1,000 alleviating the burden on the state,' India Hicks wrote in an Instagram post. 'The King was sending his great love and apologies, he was offending many family and friends with the reduced list.
Sir Elton John
He is also friendly with King Charles and Queen Camilla, and had the royals as guests at his wedding to David Furnish in 2005. Still, he had to say no to singing at the coronation due to scheduling conflicts, his team confirmed to Rolling Stone.
"King Charles will not strip royal titles away from Prince Harry as it would go against the gifts and wishes of the late Queen Elizabeth II," he notes. Since the title was a gift from Harry's grandmother, Charles wouldn't take it from him.
Current regulation on the removal of peerages requires Parliament to pass new legislation before a member of the aristocracy is stripped of their position.
This means that yes, Harry no longer wishes to be referred to as 'Prince'. Interestingly, however, the Duke of Sussex is still fifth in line for the throne. So, there you have it. Ultimately, the Duke of Sussex is still technically considered to be a prince, even though he wishes otherwise.
So help me God." He then touched his father's crown and kissed his cheek, prompting King Charles to say what appeared to be, "Thank you, William."