King Charles reportedly wants his estranged son Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle to attend the coronation in May – and according to a source, he could be given several assurances that could persuade him to attend
King Charles reportedly wants Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to attend his coronation – and he could offer them several incentives to come, according to a source.
It is said that His Majesty has approached the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby over a potential agreement that would pave the way for the his younger son and daughter-in-law to attend despite the recent fallout from Harry's memoir Spare.
Speculation over whether the pair would be present for the Westminster Abbey ceremony on May 6 has been present since Charles' ascent to the throne last year.
Harry and Meghan stood down as working royals two years ago and the former's book, which was released earlier this month, contained a number of damaging revelations about senior members of the Royal Family.
But now a source has told the Mail On Sunday that Harry could be offered a "high-profile seating position" for the ceremony as well as an assurance he can keep his titles as an "inducement" to attend.
A source told the newspaper: "Harry's camp made clear that the idea that he would just attend the Coronation and behave himself but then be stripped of his titles was a total non-starter.
'While he might decide at some point to discard his titles of his own volition, he objects to the idea of being forcibly stripped of them.
'He resents being lumped together with Andrew in the public mind as the two 'problem Princes' when he considers the circumstances to be totally different."
Meanwhile, it has been reported that Charles may be about to break his silence on Harry and Meghan in a landmark BBC interview.
Palace aides are discussing the possibility of the monarch using his chat to give his side of the story following a string of incendiary claims in his son’s memoir Spare and his Netflix documentary with wife Meghan.
If the Palace agrees to the interview, Charles could set the record straight on the Megxit drama, in which Harry, 38, and Meghan, 41, stepped back as working Royal Family members.
Charles, 74, and Prince William, 40, and wife Kate, 41, have maintained a dignified silence following a stream of sensational claims.
Beeb bosses want the King to do a piece to camera about his life and his plans as monarch, which would feature in their coverage celebrating his coronation on May 6. And the BBC could use veteran broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby, 78, a long-term friend of Charles, to conduct the chat.
Palace aides are concerned about the line of questioning, it is claimed. But sources say the monarch is mulling over the interview offer.
An insider said: “Plans are already up and running for coronation coverage at the BBC, including the profile on the monarch. It is not the done thing to avoid subjects in interviews, so it makes matters tricky.
“Even one small comment on Harry and Meghan would make worldwide news. It could also prompt a response from Harry, which would be unpredictable, like so much. Everything is very delicate.”
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