Prince Harry will skip the star-studded ceremony for King Charles’ coronation by rushing to California to be with Meghan, Archie and Lilibet just hours after attending the king’s historic ceremony.
Royal sources said today, Prince Harry will return to California to be with Meghan and his two young children just hours after his father, King Charles, is crowned in London.
The Duke of Sussex has confirmed that he will be at Westminster Abbey on May 6 without his wife and their children Archie and Lilibet.
It is now believed that Harry told the monarch he would not be staying in Britain for the star-studded concert at Windsor Castle the following day – and would instead fly back to the US after the ceremony so he could stay with his family and be late. Celebrate Archie’s fourth birthday, which also falls on May 6.
A source told MirrorHarry said he would return for the coronation of the king, but it would be a fleeting visit. Organizers have been told Harry will not be attending the concert with the rest of the royal family, which is a huge shame because it will be a great event.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle exit St Paul’s Cathedral in London on June 3, 2022
Harry, Meghan, Charles and Camilla watch the Queen’s coffin in London last September
It comes after the Sussex’s friends said Harry’s visit to Britain would be a “fairly quick trip” and that he would only be at the coronation ceremony.
Earlier this month, Buckingham Palace and a spokesperson for the Sussex family confirmed that Harry would attend the coronation ceremony. However, Meghan will remain at home in the US with their children Archie and Lilibet after “extensive discussions” between London and California.
It is understood that the King and Prince William have not had any meaningful dialogue with Harry since the Queen’s funeral last September.
Harry will play no part in the official procession next month, entering and exiting as a guest. Front row seats will be reserved for working members of the royal family. The sources also indicated that the duke was late in responding to the coronation invitation because he was “preoccupied” with where he would be seated during the ceremony.
Yesterday, the Mounted Regiment of the Cavalry began training for the coronation
The BBC announced last week that the May 7 coronation ceremony will feature music stars including Take That, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. The group will also feature Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli, Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Tervel, singer Freya Ridings and classical soul composer Alexis French.
The event will take place on the grounds of Windsor Castle in front of a crowd of 20,000 members of the public and invited guests and will be broadcast by BBC television and radio stations.
More works will be announced in the coming days.
The show will also include a performance from the Coronation Choir, which will be set up with community choirs and amateur singers from across the UK. They will appear alongside the Virtual Choir which will consist of singers from across the Commonwealth to give a special performance on the night.
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Charles at Westminster Abbey in London in March 2019
The late Queen Elizabeth II, Charles, Camilla, William, Kate, Harry and Meghan attend the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on March 9, 2020
The focus of the party will be Lighting Up The Nation, lighting up locations across the UK using projections, lasers, drone screens and lighting.
The concert, produced by BBC Studios Productions, will be broadcast live from the grounds of Windsor Castle on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.
MailOnline has approached the Sussex for comment.
