Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.Photo: Karwai Tang/WireImage
Meghan MarkleandPrince Harryhave shared their plans forKing Charles' May 6coronation.
WhilePrince Harry will travel to the U.K.for his father’s crowning ceremony,Meghan will stay in Californiawith their two children. May 6 is alsoPrince Archie’sfourth birthday, and she will spend the weekend celebrating with him and his sister, 22-month-oldPrincess Lilibet, PEOPLE understands.
Prince Harrywanted to be at the service to support his father at this important moment in his life, a friend tells PEOPLE.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who have resided in Meghan’s home state of California since 2020 after stepping back as senior members of the royal family,were both invitedto the event at Westminster Abbey, where King Charles and Queen Camilla will be officially crowned in a historic ceremony. A spokesperson for the couple toldThe Sunday Timesin a statement in March, “I can confirm The Duke has recently received email correspondence from His Majesty’s office regarding the coronation.”
King Charles; Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.Chris Jackson/Getty; Taylor Hill/WireImage
A source close toPrince Harry, 38, and Meghan, 41, told PEOPLE in February that aninvitation to the historic event had yet to be extended. However, a palace insider said at the time that the couple would be invited to his father’s coronation.
King Charles, 74, was said to be eager for the situation “calm down” in time for his coronation.
A source close to the royal household told PEOPLE: “It is such a momentous occasion for Charles, and he would want his son to be at the coronation to witness it. He would like to have Harry back in the family. If they don’t sort it out, it will always be part of the King’s reign and how he has left his family disjointed. He has had a reputation as a distant parent, and it would be awful for him for that to continue.”
Meghan Markle, King Charles and Prince Harry.Samir Hussein/WireImage
Last year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent Lilibet’s first birthday in the U.K. as they were in the country forQueen Elizabeth’sPlatinum Jubileeweekend in June. They had people over for a “casual, intimate backyard picnic” at their Frogmore Cottage home and shared anew photo of their daughter(showing off her red hair!) to celebrate the occasion.
The trip to the U.K. last summer marked the first time Lili, who was born in California in 2021, visited her father’s home country andmet many of her relatives, including great-grandmotherQueen Elizabethand grandfather Charles.
However, the news of Meghan and Harry receiving an invitation to the coronation came just days after a spokesperson for the couple’s Archewell Foundationconfirmedto PEOPLE that they have beenasked to leave their U.K. home.
“We can confirm The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been requested to vacate their residence atFrogmore Cottage,” the spokesperson said.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.Michael M. Santiago/Getty
Prince Harrymay have another reason to be in the U.K. this May: the Duke of Sussex is one of several high-profile figures bringing damages claims against Mirror Group Newspapers over alleged unlawful information gathering, and the trial is set to begin on May 9 — just three days after the coronation.
Can’t get enough ofPEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.Chris Jackson/Getty
With just weeks to go until the coronation, evenOprah Winfreyshared her advicefor Meghan and Harry regarding the event.
The talk show legend recently appeared onCBS Morningswith longtime friend Gayle King, who asked, “It’s been reported that Harry and Meghan havereceived an invitation to the coronation. Do you think they should go? Do you think they should not go? Is it something you’d like to comment on?”
Oprah said, “I think they should do what they feel is best for them and for their family. That’s what I think. That’s what the bottom line — it comes down to: What do you feel like is the best thing for you?”
“They haven’t asked me my opinion,” Oprah, who was aguest at the couple’s May 2018 wedding, added with a smile.
source: people.com
