Charles 'hosting pre-Coronation reception for VIPs who didn’t get ceremony invite'

ok.co.uk:

Buckingham Palace have added a special Friday "reception" to King Charles III's Coronation weekend plans, it is claimed. It's said the event will kick off on Friday 5th May ahead of the main Coronation at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6th, which is said to be including both Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the programme despite the Duchess of Sussex staying in the US.

The Friday event is said to cater for a group of VIPs, some of which won't have received an official invitation to the main event the following day.

It will be organised and run by aides at the Palace, and will be a joyous celebration to kickstart the weekend. Sources have revealed that the state reception will be taking place in the luxurious ballroom and spill out into the outside grounds, and will be taking place from early evening onwards. “Some heads of state and other royals haven’t been afforded a plus one or allowed to bring family members so this state event is to make those guests feel part of the celebrations,” a source told OK! “It will be a celebration of the King’s crowing and so that guests can wish him luck before he takes to the Abbey the following day.” The insider went on to say that the Palace have also organised an extra event during the Saturday now, as there was a gap after the coronation, procession and balcony appearance for the family to have a private celebration.The King's family members and staff will enjoy an informal late lunch and will serve as a moment for Charles himself to thank everyone personally.

The insider claimed: “The lunch won’t make up the formal part of the day, but the family and key staff members will want to be fed after the day’s activities.