Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Coronation plans were an "open secret" among their friends in California for months, a royal expert has claimed.
After weeks of speculation, yesterday Buckingham Palace said it was pleased to announce that Harry will be there on May 6 for the historic event, but Meghan will stay in California with their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The RSVP save the date for the spectacle passed nine days ago, but there had been no public confirmation of Harry and Meghan's decision, leaving planners unable to finalise the arrangements.
It is said that Archie's fourth birthday - which falls on the same day - has been a factor in Meghan's decision to remain at home with her children - and it is expected Harry will make a whistle stop trip to the UK.
But according to royal expert Camilla Tominey, despite waiting so long for the announcement, it was well-known among the Sussexes' Montecito set what they planned to do - and they may have come to this plan before the release of Harry's controversial memoir, Spare.
Writing in The Telegraph, she claimed: "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have known for months that this was the way they were going to broach the May 6 ceremony.
"Among their Montecito set, it has been an open secret that Harry was planning to attend without Meghan since Spare hit the bookshelves in January - possibly even earlier.
"The signs were all there, from the Duchess being almost entirely absent from her husband's book tour to rumours of disgruntlement at Archie and Lilibet's apparent exclusion from the Coronation procession."
The Coronation will be Harry's first appearance in a public setting with King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Kate since he lambasted them in Spare, which was published in January.
One royal source with knowledge of the Coronation plans said King Charles was "likely to be delighted " that his younger son Harry would attend.
The insider said: "The King has previously spoken of loving both his sons and that remains the case.
"Harry would have deeply regretted not attending the ceremony.
"Archie's birthday has provided the perfect excuse for Meghan to stay behind and, with all things considered, it’s probably the right thing to do."
Meanwhile, a source told The Sun : "It is sad, he [the King] is very disappointed that he won’t see Meghan or his grandchildren but understands the situation."
As previously revealed by the Mirror, Harry will not appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony alongside the King and other "working royals" after the ceremony.
Royal sources last night said they doubted Meghan would return to Britain in the immediate future.
One Palace insider said: "The King has previously extended an invitation to Harry and Meghan to stay with him at Highgrove or at Balmoral, but all instances have been refused."
