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Daily Record
Daily Record
Entertainment
Benjamin Lynch & Tasha Hall

King Charles 'makes Coronation lunch speech change after Harry plans swift exit'

King Charles's upcoming Coronation next month has been thrown into yet more chaos, as Prince Harry's decision to attend the historical ceremony has been said to potentially push back Charles' birthday toast for his grandson.

It comes following months of speculation if the Duke of Sussex would attend the event which will see Charles officially crowned as monarch.

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle's son Archie shares his fourth birthday with the date of the historic Coronation, on May 6 meaning Harry could miss the post-Coronation lunch to return to his California home after the event.

According to reports in the Mirror, Harry was said to have delayed confirming his attendance because he wanted some recognition by the Royal Family of both his children Archie and Lilibet.

Meanwhile, other commentators have said the ex-working royal wanted to be back home to celebrate his son's birthday with him.

Meghan Markle will be staying at their US home for the historical event with their son Archie and daughter Lilibet. (PA)

A source told the Mail on Sunday : "The King considered a toast to Archie. But with no member of the Sussex family now due at the lunch, it is highly unlikely he would do in their absence."

Royal commentator Kristen Meinzer told Insider that Meghan Markle's decision not to attend the coronation is a "brilliant" way of dividing responsibilities.

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."

We reported previously that Prince Harry is set to play a minimal role at the historical crowning of King Charles at Westminster Abbey next month where he will be sitting with other non-working members of the royals, such as Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie and their husbands.

The Duke of Sussex is not expected to take part in either the King’s Procession or the Coronation Procession to and from Buckingham Palace, nor will he be on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

Royal biographer Omid Scobie said the clash of dates played a major role in the couple's decision, and that Harry's trip back to the UK would be a "brief" one.

The confirmation finally ended months of rumours over whether both - or either - would attend the celebrations following growing rifts between Harry and his family.

Sources said the King would be "delighted" over the news his son would be there, despite the recent controversy over Harry and Meghan's tell-all Netflix docuseries and his memoir, 'Spare', which made several bombshells about disharmony in the family.

A royal source meanwhile 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.

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