Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Are Making Big Coronation Demands, Says Source
The couple is reportedly holding out on a UK visit until the royal family grants their wishes.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly in “negotiations” with Buckingham Palace over their roles and obligations during King Charles’s Coronation Weekend. According to a source, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are laying down some strict ground rules for their potential upcoming UK visit — and will not accept their invitation until all their demands are met.
“The palace is trying to wrap up negotiations as quickly as possible because they can’t go right up to the wire. It could lead to chaos,” the source told Ok! Magazine, as reported by New York Post.
They added, “However, what the Sussexes are pushing for is for them to be included with the rest of the family at the Palace later that day.”
Following Charles’s crowning ceremony at Westminster Abbey, he and newly-crowned Queen Camilla will reconvene with immediate royal family members on the palace’s balcony. Together, they will present themselves as the official King and Queen of England. As of January, when the balcony guest list was announced, Harry and Meghan weren’t named.
For decades, the balcony has served as the “it” place for royal celebrations, from coronations to weddings to jubilees and so on. In the past, the balcony has maintained a working royal family members only rule. And since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle decided to abnegate their working roles in 2021, they wouldn’t be included in that group. Still, the institution would be sending a big message by not having the Sussexes in those family photos.
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Prince Archie’s fourth birthday is also a point of contention for the couple, according to the source. Neither he nor his younger sister, Princess Lilibet, were invited to their grandfather’s coronation. Though, young children aren’t traditionally invited to ceremonies like these, notes the source.
“It’s also Prince Archie’s birthday on Coronation day so they would like some kind of nod to that at a lunch or drinks reception. Even if it’s just a happy birthday mention,” the source said.
The palace has less than two months to present some sort of treaty to the Sussexes in hopes of winning their RSVP. Per the insider, the palace is more than willing to bend over backwards to accommodate the royals.
“It could very well be that it ends in stalemate and they won’t attend. But the palace is doing everything in its power to not let that happen,” they said.
It’s unclear when Harry and Meghan have to make their decision by, but the clock is ticking!
