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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Kyle O'Sullivan

10 worrying clues Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may snub Charles' Coronation invite

The question on everyone's lips is whether Prince Harry and/or Meghan Markle will attend the Coronation of King Charles.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been invited as part of the 2,000-strong congregation at Westminster Abbey - and there will also be a star-studded concert at Windsor Castle as pat of a bumper bank holiday weekend.

But we still don't know whether Harry and Meghan, who were recently told they must leave Frogmore Cottage shortly after the big day, will be part of the celebrations.

There are a number of key issues, with relations between Harry and his family at an all time low, and the historic event awkwardly takes place on Archie's birthday.

Whether they will attend the coronation also reportedly rest on one simple demand, but there are worrying signs that the Sussexes won't be going.

Archie's birthday

Harry and Meghan with their son Archie as a baby (PA)

The biggest issue for the Sussexes is the date of the Coronation - May 6.

It falls on Archie's fourth birthday, so Harry and Meghan would obviously have concerns about being away from their son.

Charles' accession to the throne means Archie, who lives in California with Harry and Meghan and his one-year-old sister Lilibet, is technically now a prince.

But it has not been confirmed by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex or Buckingham Palace whether he will use the title of prince or whether Lili will use that of princess.

One scenario is that Harry may come to the event on his own, with Meghan staying at home in California to be with their son.

But it does provide them with a massive headache.

Who invite was actually from

Harry's relationship with his father is strained (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

It may seem like a frivolous point, but the wording of Harry's statement is important.

A Sussex spokesperson told The Times royal editor Roya Nikkhah: "I can confirm The Duke has recently received email correspondence from His Majesty's office regarding the coronation.

"An immediate decision on whether The Duke and Duchess will attend will not be disclosed by us at this time."

It seems the Palace went through the formal channels, rather than a direct invitation from Charles himself.

The Royal Family are understood to be "fully expecting" Harry and Meghan, but neither the King nor Prince William have spoken directly to them about their attendance at the event.

Despite being the King's son and remaining fifth in line to the throne, Harry will play no special role if he does show up and won't be allowed to appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

The lack of importance surrounding the invitation may stop Harry and Meghan going.

Harry's demand

Harry reportedly wants a summit with Charles and William (Getty Images)

According to sources, Harry wants a summit with King Charles and Prince William to discuss their issues.

A source told The Mirror: "Harry has been very clear and his position hasn't wavered – he isn't going to come if he feels the atmosphere will be as toxic as it was during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and funeral.

"He's said he wants to reconcile with his family and it’s their call, but so far nothing has changed."

If it does go ahead, everyone will hope it goes better than the infamous Sandringham summit in January 2020, where the terms of Harry's departure from royal duties were laid out.

During an interview with Tom Bradby on ITV earlier this month, Harry was asked if he will come to the coronation if he is invited, and he said: "There's a lot that can happen between now and then.

"But, you know, the door is always open. The ball is in their court.

"There's a lot to be discussed and I really hope that they can - that they are willing to sit down and talk about it, because there's a lot that's happened in six years. And prior to that as well."

Unless Harry's demand is met, it seems unlikely he will attend the Coronation.

Frogmore eviction

Harry and Meghan are having too leave Frogmore Cottage (Getty Images)

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have confirmed they have been "requested to vacate" Frogmore Cottage, in a move that has reportedly left them "stunned" and two other royals "appalled".

According to Omid Scobie, one of the authors behind the biography of Harry and Meghan, Finding Freedom, the King's decision came after Harry released his controversial memoir Spare in January.

He claimed that the couple was told the property was needed for "someone else" and that relations between the Sussexes and the rest of the Firm was at "an all-time low".

Scobie also said that Harry and Meghan were left "stunned" by the movie, while two other royals have also been left "appalled".

Writing for Yahoo, he explained: "It's news, sources tell me, that has left Harry and Meghan stunned, and at least two members of the Royal Family 'appalled'."

And he quoted a friend of the couple as saying: "It all feels very final and like a cruel punishment. It’s like [the family] want to cut them out of the picture for good."

Harry and Meghan may not wish to celebrate his father after being kicked out of their UK home.

Spare and Netflix allegations

Spare has caused a lot of controversy (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Harry aired his family's dirty laundry in his autobiographical memoir Spare and in his Netflix docu-series with Meghan.

He alleged Charles and William were conspiring against him, revealed private conversations and even hit out at the late Queen.

Royal sources have claimed Charles took decisive action immediately after being passed a dossier of findings by aides revealing details from the explosive book.

An insider said: "It was the last straw. Harry was well aware how Camilla would be a red line for his father and he crossed with flagrant disregard anyway.

"The King felt without a doubt it crossed a line – it was the ultimate act of disrespect."

Would Harry really want to come face-to-face with those he blasted?

Harry's beef with Camilla

Prince Harry has called out Camilla in his memoir Spare (UK Press via Getty Images)

Harry has blasted a lot of the royals - but some of his strongest criticism came against Queen Consort Camilla.

Sources said the King was outraged by a string of Harry's accusations in his controversial memoir, in particular his attacks on his wife.

There were more than 60 mentions of Camilla in Spare - and the Duke of Sussex does not hold back his dislike for 'the Other Woman'.

Harry once pondered if she would become his "wicked stepmother" and says she would throw people under the bus to sit on the throne - and even turned his bedroom into her dressing room.

He claimed he and William begged Charles not to marry Camilla but they said they would welcome her into the family, and eventually only wanted herto be happy so she could be less "dangerous".

In a TV interview, Harry added: "She was the villain. She was the third person in their marriage. She needed to rehabilitate her image."

A reunion would be incredibly awkward.

Security issues

There will need to be a lot of security (Maureen McLean/REX/Shutterstock)

The Sussexes are rightfully concerned with safety - and he has repeatedly asked for armed police protection whenever he and his family return to Britain.

Harry launched legal action against the Home Office for its refusal to grant this, and in July 2022 the High Court ruled in favour of his bid to bring part of his claim against the Government.

It is believed the case may go before the High Court in early April, but it isn't known whether a ruling could be reached before the Coronation

There have also been increased concerns over safety following Harry's decision to write about the number of Taliban he killed when fighting in Afghanistan.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told the MailOnline: "Harry's concerns over security, which will not be helped by his revelations about the number of Taliban insurgents he personally killed, may also be a factor as he has a case pending against the Home Office on this issue."

The worrying security issues could stop him coming.

Private island plans

Meghan and Harry might be elsewhere (Getty Images)

They no longer have a UK base, but Harry and Meghan might be looking to move to their own private island.

The pair are said to be looking for a home in another country, while keeping their base in LA, with Harry keen on a private island.

A source told Heat: "The situation is rapidly becoming uncomfortable to the point of untenable.

"There are talks of keeping base in LA and heading somewhere new like Canada, South Africa or one of the other countries where they have more popularity and public sympathy.

"There's money to be made abroad and it fits their vision of global success."

"Harry loved the idea of living in a natural and eco-friendly environment- he's pushing hard to go down the private island route."

The source added that the distraction of a possible new property is welcome and the couple is viewing it as a chance to reap the benefits of their success, rather than escaping from their troubles.

South Park

South Park brutally mocked Harry and Meghan (Comedy Central)

Harry and Meghan were brutally taken down on South Park in February - causing them to be ridiculed around the world.

While the Duke and Duchess of Sussex weren't specifically named, it didn't take a genius to work out who the fictional 'Prince and Princess of Canada' were supposed to be on their 'Worldwide Privacy Tour'.

Show creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone are renowned for hilariously mocking a wide range of celebs, but some felt they went 'too far' this time with their merciless lampooning.

From Meghan's magazine covers to Harry's blue todger and even a candle scandal - there were a shedload of digs at the royals in the outrageous episode.

Is it fair that Harry and Meghan have been evicted from Frogmore? Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.

It was reported that the portrayal of the Sussexes in the TV show "upset and overwhelmed" Meghan, according to a The Spectator source.

The insider also added that she "is annoyed by South Park but refuses to watch it all".

Almost a week after the episode first aired, the couple broke their silence by issuing a statement about claims they might sue.

Their spokesperson reportedly said "this is baseless and boring" in a statement given to Newsweek.

With South Park poised ready to cover the Coronation, will the Sussexes risk being targeted again?

Harry's continued criticism

Despite saying he wanted to rebuild bridges, Harry has continued to make digs at his family.

Last weekend, he sat down with Dr Gabor Maté, an expert in trauma and childhood development, to discuss living with loss and the importance of personal healing.

Harry explained he realised he needed to escape the royals after undergoing therapy - and claimed he "doesn't speak the same language" as the rest of his family.

While Harry has accused his father of being cold, he revealed his parenting technique is to 'smother' his kids with 'love and affection'.

Explaining how elements of his childhood were incredibly painful, Harry drew parallels with his mother, the late Princess Diana, saying they both "felt different".

Harry clearly still has issues with his family, so possibly won't want to fly over to see them.

Popularity slump

Harry and Meghan aren't as popular as they once were (HARPO PRODUCTIONS/AFP via Getty)

Once loved by everyone, the Sussexes have slumped in popularity in recent years - and in particular the last few months.

Harry had a net positive rating of 51 percent before Megxit, which then fell to 20 percent immediately after and further still after the Oprah Winfrey interview.

Meghan's popularity has taken a similar hit, going from a net positivity of 20 percent in November 2019 to -11 in January 2020 and now stands at -46.

Most recently, the couple had a serious fall in popularity in the US, taking them lower than disgraced royal Prince Andrew.

According to a poll conducted by Redfield & Wilton for Newsweek on February 19, Harry was disliked by 42% of Americans, compared to 32% who said they liked him — with a 'net approval rating of -10.

The same poll saw Harry at 38 points in a December 5 poll showing a staggering 48 point drop in.

Will they risk wanting to decrease their popularity further? Or could it be the opportunity to get back in the public's good books?

Harry's future

Harry told Stephen Colbert about his thoughts for the future (CBS via Getty Images)

Harry revealed his thoughts about the future during a Q&A with American presenter Stephen Colbert.

A clip of Harry answering 15 light-hearted questions was shown on TV last week but was recorded when he appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert earlier this year.

One of the questions posed to Harry was to "describe the rest of his life in just five words".

After taking a moment to consider the words he would choose, Harry said: "Freedom, happiness, clarity, space, love."

One of the most intriguing words is "space". Could it mean Harry wants space away from the spectacle of the Coronation?

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