Prince Harry and Meghan have still not decided whether to attend the King’s coronation, sources close to the couple revealed.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be invited as part of the 2,000-strong congregation at Westminster Abbey on May 6. 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.
The Mirror can reveal that neither the King nor Prince William have spoken directly to Harry and Meghan about their attendance at the event.
Harry, 38, is understood to want a summit with his father and brother ahead of flying to the UK from his family home in California.
A source said: “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.”
The Royal Family are understood to be “fully expecting” Harry and Meghan despite reported anger at allegations in his memoir Spare.
But the Sussexes would not be invited to appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
Government advisers are also putting plans in place in case Harry decides to attend the coronation in a 48-hour whirlwind trip.
One scenario is that Harry may come to the event on his own, with Meghan staying at home in California. Their son Archie’s fourth birthday is also on May 6.
However, the royal source said: “Whatever they do it will most likely be as a family.”
Interviewed by ITV news anchor Tom Bradby last month, Harry said of the coronation: “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 is a lot to be discussed and I really hope they are willing to sit down and talk about it.”
Invitations for the coronation have not yet been sent out although Palace sources suggested guests would start receiving them within days.
With only 2,000 seats available, compared to 8,000 for the Queen’s coronation in 1953, MPs and peers will enter a ballot to attend.
The office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex did not respond to our requests for comment.