According to a friend of Meghan Markle, the Duchess did not attend King Charles' Coronation because she "didn't feel comfortable or welcome enough".
Meghan was the only close member of the monarch's family that was not present at the historical ceremony on Saturday at Westminster Abbey.
Speaking of her decision to not attend earlier this month, Meghan's pal Omid Scobie claimed the royal family were "relieved" she had chosen not to join Harry at the service, the Mirror reports.
Meghan stayed at home instead to celebrate Prince Archie's fourth birthday, which fell on the same day as the Coronation, but Omid has argued that the main reason the 41-year-old Duchess chose to not attend the event was because she didn't feel like her presence was wanted.
Writing for Bazaar, he said: "While Charles clearly has an interest in enhancing diversity, it was impossible to ignore the fact that the royal family’s only family member of colour (and mother of the House of Windsor’s only mixed-race children), Duchess Meghan, didn’t feel comfortable or welcome enough to attend."
In the article, Omid, the publication's Royal Editor at Large, noted how King Charles, 74, has been applauded for "embracing diversity" but he alluded to polls which he claimed show "fast-growing apathy toward the royal family".
He continued: "Much emphasis was put on the diversity and inclusivity that would be on display during this "modern" coronation.
"With guests from all backgrounds, representatives of all faiths, and even a gospel choir during the ceremony (though curiously not actually performing gospel music), many trumpeted this coronation as proof that the king embraces diversity.
"The road ahead for the British monarchy may be rocky (countless polls continue to reveal a fast growing apathy toward the royal family in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth), but as King Charles and Queen Camilla waved from the Buckingham Palace balcony to the public, the thunderous roar of the Royal Air Forces’ Red Arrows aerobatic team racing overhead and the cheers from The Mall were enough to temporarily drown out any concerns about the future. Beyond that, it remains to be seen."
Prince Harry paid a fleeting visit to the UK to watch his father be crowned on Saturday while Meghan stayed at their home in California and celebrated her son's fourth birthday.
The Duke promptly left London after the ceremony so he too could be with Prince Archie on his special day. Harry also didn't attend a family lunch at Buckingham Palace despite apparently being invited.
A source close to the family said Meghan's mother Doria Ragland was expected to be at Archie's intimate birthday bash along with the youngster's pre-school friends and some celebrity pals of the couple.
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