Prince Harry is likely to find comfort in Princess Eugenie at King Charles' Coronation next month, as he is expected to get the cold shoulder from the rest of The Firm.
The Duke of Sussex is attending his father King Charles' Coronation alone on May 6 while his wife Meghan Markle stays at their home in California. Harry's announcement puts an end to months of speculation about whether or not the Sussexes would be attending the historic event.
Royal insiders have come forward and revealed that Charles is looking forward to the Coronation and is planning to use it to mend the division amongst his family. The King has been in a "very forgiving" move as he is set to welcome his estranged son to the event following the release of his bombshell memoir Spare.
However, despite the optimistic attitude from the King, one royal expert doesn't believe the coronation will have the healing effect he's looking for.
"My guess is that Harry will be treated like something of a pariah and that he is well aware of that," Christopher Andersen, author of The King, told Fox News Digital. "So, you have to give him credit for being willing to show up anyway. There is a humiliation factor here.
"Watching the other royals share centre stage with the king and queen while he is probably going to be shunted aside – this will likely be painful and incredibly frustrating for Harry."
He added: "I have a feeling that even Prince Andrew will be afforded better treatment and shown more respect by the crown – that’s how deep the animosity toward the Sussexes runs in royal circles these days."
Sources alleged to the Daily Mail that the royal family has "no interest" in talking to Harry "beyond the most basic of greetings." They noted that his cousins Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, with whom he has remained friendly, may be the only "exception."
"Harry knows that he's just going to have to follow his grandmother’s ‘keep calm and carry on’ motto," Andersen continued. "He'll have to just grit his teeth and get through it. I fully expect Harry to be sidelined and snubbed."
Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield also stated to Fox News that the more junior members of the Royal Family will speak to the "exiled" Prince during the event. Schofield said: "The King does want his youngest son to experience such a significant moment in his life.
"It was Charles’s wish that Prince Harry attend."
She continued: "Duty is still a priority to Harry, and he feels like it is his responsibility to attend.
"That being said, expect familiar and friendly characters like cousins Zara Tindall and Princess Eugenie to make small talk with the 'exiled' prince."
Get the latest celebrity gossip and telly news sent straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily Showbiz newsletter here.
READ NEXT:
- Prince Harry's touching question to Meghan hours after birth of Lilibet
- Meghan Markle's comment about Trooping the Colour was met by 'yawning silence'
Meghan Markle's friend breaks silence after Netflix series with sweet wedding snap
Prince Harry addresses 'sadistic' rumour that James Hewitt is his real father
Meghan Markle's subtle social media hints before relationship with Prince Harry went public
