Meghan Markle skipping King's Coronation is 'brilliant strategy', expert says

15 April 2023 , 08:35

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Meghan Markle skipping King's Coronation is 'brilliant strategy', expert says

Meghan Markle's decision to skip the King's Coronation in May is a "brilliant" way for the Sussexes to divide familial and royal responsibilities, a commentator has said.

This week, it was confirmed that Prince Harry will attend his father's Coronation, while Meghan will remain in California with her two children to celebrate Archie's fourth birthday which also falls on May 6.

An insider told The Mirror the King is "delighted" at Harry's choice to travel to the UK for the occasion, adding that the Duke of Sussex "would have deeply regretted" not attending it.

Meghan's decision to remain home is said to have been influenced by Archie's birthday, with the Sussexes' biographer Omid Scobie saying it "played a factor".

Meghan Markle will not attend the King's Coronation on May 6 (Getty Images)

Royal watcher Kristen Meinzer told Insider it makes sense for one parent to celebrate Archie's birthday while the other fulfills his royal obligation.

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She said: "I think the decision for Harry to go, and for Meghan to stay home with the children on Archie's birthday is a brilliant way to split the difference.

"As I've said in the past, the primary benefit of attending is the optics; of looking as though they're continuing to do their best on their end — even if the royal family isn't always doing their best on their end.

"But I've always maintained that the Sussexes must also do what's best for their own little family and their own mental health. It sounds like that's what they'll be doing."

Prince Harry will travel to the UK for the Coronation (Getty Images)

Royal historian Eric Schiffer added that Meghan has to "follow her truth" and, if necessary, "set boundaries".

The Coronation will be Harry's first appearance in a public setting with Charles, Camilla, William and Kate since he criticised them in his memoir, Spare, which was published in January.

King Charles III is said to be 'delighted' that his son Harry will be at the Coronation (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

A royal source said it was "fully expected" that Harry would stay at Frogmore Cottage, which he and Meghan were ordered to vacate earlier this year, while he is here as the King had granted him a reprieve until after the Coronation.

And despite Harry's legal action against the Home Office over the decision to strip him of taxpayer-funded protection when he is in the UK, the source said royal protection officers would be responsible for his safety as he was attending a State occasion with the Royal Family.

Chiara Fiorillo