When Prince Harry was asked if he would be attending King Charles' Coronation during an interview at the start of the year, he said the ball was in the Royal Family's court.
He said conversations needed to take place, and it was later reported that he made a number of demands to his father if the new Monarch wanted him and Meghan Markle to join the congregation at Westminster Abbey on May 6.
Last week Harry and Meghan finally confirmed their decision - with the prince set to return to the UK for a flying visit to join his family for what's likely to be an awkward reunion. But Meghan has declined her invitation, choosing to stay in the US with the couple's children - Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet - who were excluded from Charles' ceremony plans.
While some of the alleged 'demands' are perfectly reasonable and have been agreed by the Palace, Harry didn't get his own way on several of the issues raised.
Talks with Charles - yes
Prince Harry wanted to have a face-to-face meeting with his father and brother before agreeing to attend the Coronation.
According to sources, Harry wanted a summit with King Charles and Prince William to discuss their issues.
An insider told The Mirror: "He's said he wants to reconcile with his family and it’s their call, but so far nothing has changed."
It may have gone as badly as 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."
While it hasn't happened in person, Harry has reportedly had a heart-to-heart talk with Charles and wanted to show "support for his father" by attending the Coronation.
There was a "willingness and wanting to mend on both sides" following the revelations in Harry's autobiography, claimed a Sun source.
Showdown with William - no
Harry also wanted to speak to his brother before the Coronation, but they have not spoken since the Queen's funeral.
While Harry's attendance will be cheered by many, it has thrown up the awkward issue of the Duke of Sussex confronting his older brother.
The brothers' relationship is at an all-time low, and organisers are reportedly keen to make sure there aren't any public rows on the big day.
So much so that the princes will be sat so far apart that cameras will not be able to get a direct shot of the pair together, according to the Daily Express.
Any potential smirks, sideways glances or awkward stares won't be broadcast to the entire world.
Due to the tensions within the Royal Family, Harry's arrival at Westminster Abbey will be meticulously crafted down to the exact minute.
The Palace will be hoping to avoid any awkward confrontations, so are allegedly putting Harry several rows back behind the senior royals.
According to experts, "warm interactions" between the brothers are not anticipated and William has rejected his brother's demand for a meeting before the Coronation happens
Despite the "bad blood and betrayal" in recent years, it's claimed that William will "tolerate" his younger brother's presence at the Coronation.
Toxic atmosphere ends - no
It's highly unlikely he is going to get a warm welcome at the Coronation after the allegations he's made against the Royal Family in book Spare and his Netflix docu-series.
It was suggested that Harry would not attend the historic event if there was going to be a lot of tension with his family.
An insider 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."
However, sources close to the royals claims most have "no interest" in talking to Harry "beyond basic greetings" - and he will have to come face-to-face with those he has made strong allegations against.
They did add that Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who has stayed close friends with her cousin and visited him in California, may be the only "exceptions".
It's claimed Prince William has no desire to speak to his younger brother after feeling hurt by his recent behaviour.
The pair are reportedly going to be separated by several rows and will not be in a single camera shot together.
Meghan Markle invitation - yes
Despite relations between the Sussexes and the royals being at an all-time low, Meghan did get an invitation to the Coronation.
However, she decided to stay at home in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet while her husbands flies back to the UK on his own.
The Palace said in a statement: "Buckingham Palace is pleased to confirm that the Duke of Sussex will attend the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey on 6th May.
"The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet."
Archie's birthday falling on the same day as the Coronation was said to have been a contentious issue - and the main reason why Meghan decided to snub the invitation.
Royal editor Omid Scobie tweeted: "I understand that Archie's fourth birthday (also on May 6) played a factor in the couple's decision.
"Expect it to be a fairly quick trip to the UK for Prince Harry, who will only be attending the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey."
Archie birthday recognition - not sure
The Coronation date awkwardly falls on May 6 - the same day as Prince Archie's fourth birthday.
Despite being the grandchildren of the new King, it is believed that Archie and sister Lilibet were not invited, with sources citing that the children are "very young".
But the source explained that their inclusion in the ceremony has "never been a bone of contention" because small children don’t attend royal events of this scale "due to restlessness and tantrums".
Harry was said to have always been keen to attend the coronation as it is a key milestone for the family, but would like some recognition of his son's celebration.
"Archie's birthday falls on May 6th, coronation day and the Sussexes want the family to recognise that," a source told OK!.
"The Sussexes have asked for some kind of celebration or acknowledgement to be factored into the day's plans to ensure that his fourth birthday won’t get lost during the momentous day."
There are also reportedly fears that Meghan and Harry may upstage Charles by posting messages about their son before the Coronation takes place.
Last year the Palace and other royals posted birthday messages for Archie, but it remains to be seen if the same will happen this time round.
It's also been reported that Charles planning to honour Archie at his post-procession Coronation lunch by raising a glass, but this is no longer being considered as neither of the Sussexes will be attending.
Harry is set to rush straight off after the ceremony to get back to celebrate with his son, while Meghan has decided to avoid the Coronation altogether.
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."
Security arrangements - yes
Prince Harry was very rightfully concerned about security - and he has got assurances over his safety.
Harry has been told he will be protected when attending events with the Royal Family over the Coronation weekend, as he was when returning for the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in the summer and Her Majesty’s funeral in September.
But he will have to provide his own privately funded bodyguards if he takes part in any social activity outside of the main events.
Former head of royal protection for the Met Police, Dai Davies, said: "If Harry is as concerned about his safety as he has made clear to the High Court, then he faces the prospect of essentially living under house arrest when he’s in the UK.
"Of course he will be protected by (police) officers when attending the main events, but if he fancies doing anything else then he’ll have to pay for his own security if he is that concerned."
Friends of the Duke this week insisted he will have a "brief visit" and only attend the Coronation ceremony himself.
Policing minister Chris Philp said he hopes the crowning of Charles and Camilla in just over three weeks' time will be similar in success to the "fantastic" handling of the late Queen's funeral and there will be a "huge policing operation".
Asked what effect Harry's presence will have on security measures at the coronation, Mr Philp told LBC: "Those obviously get assessed on a case-by-case basis."
On whether there will be a significant additional cost due to the duke's attendance, Mr Philp added: "I'm not going to get into people's individual protection arrangements but, by the way, we're providing protection for hundreds of foreign heads of state, overseas heads of state who are attending as well.
"It's a huge policing operation, both in terms of the streets and obviously protection for individuals, so it's a big operation."
He added: "We're going to make sure that everybody involved in the coronation, including the general public, are kept safe, obviously."
Harry has been stuck in a long running legal case with the Home Office at the High Court over the decision to strip him and his family of taxpayer funded security when visiting the UK.
Balcony appearance - no
One point of interest has been whether Harry will be on the famous Buckingham Palace balcony.
The King and Queen will appear in front of thousands of people on the balcony to celebrate their Coronation - but only working royals will be joining them.
Charles' decision to appear in the historic moment with just his closest and most loyal family members will show his vision of a slimmed down monarchy, royal sources said.
Detailed plans seen by The Mirror revealed how the King has chosen to say thanks for the nation alongside a select few royals who have dedicated their lives to public service, while also showing "the heartbeat and future of his family".
The final group of 15 shows the Prince and Princess of Wales will be there with their kids, but there is no place for non-working royals such as Harry or the disgraced Prince Andrew.
Rumours of Harry demanding to be included on the balcony are said to be "wide of the mark", according to some palace insiders.
Regardless, Harry will definitely not be on the balcony and it's believed he will not take part in either of the two processions too and from Westminster Abbey.
