Harry and Meghan included in coronation programme despite Duchess skipping big day
ok.co.ukThe official souvenir programme for the Coronation of King Charles features a happy family photo that sees the King with his son Prince Harry and daughter-in-law Meghan Markle - this is despite the fact that Meghan has declined the invitation to the historic event.
Among the photos printed in the programme, which went on sale on Monday 17 April is one of the royal family celebrating Charles, then the Prince Of Wales's 70th birthday back in 2018.The photo saw the now-King sat with his wife Camilla, and surrounded by his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, and his daughter-in-laws Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle.
Also featured in the family snap were Kate and William's children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. The publication of the souvenir programme comes just days after it was confirmed that the Duke of Sussex will be in attendance at his father's coronation, however, the Duchess will remain at home in California.
Buckingham Palace shared a brief statement confirming the news on Wednesday 12 April, which read: “Buckingham Palace is pleased to confirm that the Duke of Sussex will attend the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey on 6th May. “The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.” Following the news, royal expert Omid Scobie, author of Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of A Modern Royal Family, suggested that Meghan could have stayed behind due to the event coinciding with their son Prince Archie’s fourth birthday, which is also on May 6. “I understand that Archie's fourth birthday (also on May 6) played a factor in the couple's decision,” he wrote on Twitter.
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