The King is likely to have included Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on the guest list for his coronation to avoid further attacks on the institution, royal expert Kinsey Schofield noted. Express.co.uk was able to confirm on Friday that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are invited to the ceremony but will be micro-managed to avoid any stunts. Schofield suggested having the couple attend the coronation is part of a strategic move to avoid further PR headaches for Charles III.
The To Di For host said: “Public relations wise, this is a requirement. If Charles does not invite Harry and Meghan, the pair will weaponize the slight.”
A Whitehall insider told this outlet Meghan Markle will indeed receive an invitation to the ceremony in the coming weeks after months of speculation about their attendance.
But the source insisted plans are underway to keep the couple from potentially stealing all the attention from the King and Queen Consort on the day.
They said: “They’re on the list and planning is well underway to make sure the proceedings run as smoothly as possible – without any drama.”
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Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams insisted that regardless of planning, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are unlikely to overshadow the main protagonists of the ceremony.
He cited the couple’s appearance at the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations and later at her funeral as key examples of where the Royal Family remained in control of the situation.
Fitzwilliams told Fox News: “There is no doubt that senior royals were irritated by Harry and Meghan’s docuseries for Netflix and appalled by the contents of Spare, which contained deplorable attacks on the other members of his family.
“The Palace has maintained a dignified silence… There is no chance, in my view, that the Sussexes could overshadow the coronation, as we saw in the Platinum Jubilee celebrations and at the queen’s funeral. Everything was strictly choreographed.”
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“The Palace has not made any official response. That is their response. The King does not need to say anything – he’s the king.
“His silence is a statement in itself. Harry and Meghan have carried out a massive assault on the Royal Family, but the Crown has overcome far worse over the centuries.
“The King has no doubt learned well from history how and when to comment and share his thoughts with others, and importantly when not to.”
King Charles III’s coronation is scheduled to take place on May 6, 2023 at Westminster Abbey.
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