09 April 2023 , 03:02
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King Charles has been hailed for the way he has conducted himself during his 'stand-off' with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex amid their doubted attendance of his and the Queen Consort's Coronation.
There is less than a month to go before the historic event at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, May 6 and it is still not clear whether the Sussexes will be attending or not.
Charles made it clear that he wanted his youngest son and his wife to be part of proceedings, but their silence has exacerbated doubts on whether they will travel across the Atlantic at all.
The monarch has been praised for "playing a blinder" for putting the ball in the Sussexes court, which could backfire if they do come attend the service.
It is still not clear whether the Sussexes will attend the Coronation (Getty Images)It is believed they have still not told Buckingham Palace what their plans are despite the deadlines for RSVPs being last Monday, according to reports.
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It is said to have been causing Coronation organisers a headache when it comes to the likes of seating plans within the Abbey as well as transport and security.
However, a royal source told the Sunday Express that despite the uncertainty of the Sussexes attendance, Charles is "not going to grovel and go down on bended knee" to convince them to come.
This was backed up by former BBC royal correspondent Michael Cole, who pointed to reasons why Harry would not attend such an historic event.
Charles is 'not going to grovel' to Harry, according to royal sources (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)He told the Sunday Express : "Could it be embarrassment, realising his denunciations of the Royal Family were, at the very least, intemperate and essentially unfair?
"Or shame that he would have to face people he has cruelly maligned, including his stepmother Camilla, who will be crowned alongside his father who has been badly hurt by those criticisms of his wife."
Mr Cole added: "The King has played a blinder with the vexatious Duke and Duchess of Sussex. From the outset, he let it be known that Harry and Meghan were welcome at his Coronation.
"That put the ball in their court. If they refused, they would look petty and mean-spirited. If they accepted, it would open them to the charge of hypocrisy, with people entitled to ask, ‘Well, what was that all about, knocking seven bells out of your family but then turning up for the party?’"
Tensions have grown between Harry and his brother and father (Getty Images)Harry and Meghan stepped down as working royals in January 2020 and have relocated in Montecito, California with their two children Prince Archie, three, and Princess Lilibet, one - Charles' youngest two grandchildren have not been invited to the Coronation.
There has been much debate about their appearance at the King and Queen's Coronation next month following the Sussexes' controversial Netflix documentary and Harry's autobiography Spare.
The documentary and book both gave insights into how Meghan was treated within 'The Firm' while Harry spoke about the breakdown of his relationships with his father and brother, Prince William.
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This stance has seen growing concerns whether the pair will attend the ceremony, which also falls on the fourth birthday of Archie, especially after it was revealed the King and Queen will celebrate their coronation by appearing on the Buckingham Palace balcony with just the working royals.
The Mirror revealed earlier this week that the King and Queen will celebrate their historic day by appearing on the Buckingham Palace balcony with working royals only.
His Majesty's decision to appear in the historic moment with just his closest and most loyal family members will show his vision of a slimmed-down monarchy, royal sources said.