The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s reluctance to confirm their attendance at the King’s coronation has caused huge headaches for organisers.
Sources close to Prince Harry last night confirmed “no decision” had been made by the couple.
Despite the Sussexes, who quit their royal roles in 2020, being aware of the April 3 cut-off date, Buckingham Palace staff are still none the wiser as to whether they will show up.
It means organisers in charge of details such as seating arrangements, transport and security for VIPs, are unable to sign off on their plans.
Buckingham Palace last night admitted seating plans were still not confirmed, just over three weeks away from the May 6 ceremony.
Royal sources revealed how organisers are “exasperated” with the couple, who have spent two years railing against the monarchy after they decided to leave in favour of earning millions in the corporate world.
The Duke and Duchess have been in “email correspondence” with the palace in recent weeks, but Harry reportedly remains in a “predicament” about whether to attend.
Palace insiders said they expected him to attend but were unsure whether Meghan would accompany him and may choose to stay in the US given it is their son Archie’s fourth birthday on the day of the coronation.
A source with knowledge of the plans, said: “They (Harry and Meghan) still haven’t confirmed either way.
“Of course they will be afforded extra time but in all honesty, everyone is exasperated with them.”
The Mirror last week revealed how Harry and Meghan, who now live in Montecito, California, do not feature in plans for a roaring Coronation day finale on the famous Buckingham Palace balcony, featuring the Red Arrows.
The King declared he would only share the historic moment with the “working royals”, those who have dedicated their lives to the monarchy and public service.
One well placed source said: “His Majesty wants to be surrounded by those who he considers to be the heartbeat and future of his family, hence there is no place for the Duke and Duchess (of Sussex) or the Duke of York.”
Palace sources said they would continue to plan for the Sussexes to attend “unless advised otherwise”.
The stalling of their decision may also create issues beyond planning of the event, as the couple reportedly have to provide a month’s notice before any trip back to the UK due to security reasons.
Prince Harry has been stuck in a long-running dispute with the government over his security arrangements when he returns home, and is currently taking legal action against the Home Office after they refused to allow him to pay for his own police protection.
The Duke had been informed it would be up to the Home Office to decide what security was and wasn’t necessary after he stepped back from his duties as a working royal.
Harry has been told he must give give 28 days notice so his security requests could be assessed, a condition which was first reported by The Telegraph.
The Duke won a judicial review against the Home Office’s decision to deny his family automatic security in September 2021, but a date for the hearing has not yet been set.
