The response from the Sussexes, who left with a fuss in 2020 to live in the United States, has been eagerly awaited since the start of March. Their presence or absence has been the subject of much speculation in the British media, given that the couple has launched numerous attacks against the royal family in recent months.
Wednesday’s two-sentence statement ended the suspense: “Buckingham Palace is pleased to confirm that the Duke of Sussex will attend the coronation at Westminster Abbey on 6 May. The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.” Archewell, Harry and Meghan’s foundation, confirmed the news in an equally short and understated statement.
Over recent months, at 38 years old, Prince Harry has aired his grievances with his family, first in a Netflix documentary released in December, and most of all in his controversial memoir “The Substitute.” In this hugely successful book, he details the breakdown in his relationships with his father, King Charles III, and his brother William. He specifically mentions a violent quarrel with his elder brother William, the heir to the throne, over his wife Meghan, and accuses Queen Consort Camilla, who will also be crowned on 6 May, of revealing private conversations to the press.
The documentary and memoirs have not done anything to improve the already extremely low popularity of the Sussexes in the United Kingdom. They are consistently targeted by tabloids, which instead adore William and his wife Kate. Meghan is likely to be accused of snubbing the monarchy and the royal family due to her absence from the coronation, as noted by the British Press Association.
