Prince Harry Apparently Decided to Attend the Coronation a Month Ago, Despite Late RSVP
He had demands over his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.


Though we just found out about Prince Harry’s RSVP decision surrounding his father King Charles’ Coronation last Wednesday—nine days after the RSVP deadline—according to The Mirror, Harry had made his decision a month ago, but was waiting to figure out one important piece of the puzzle: How his and Meghan Markle’s children would fit into the picture.
A former equerry who is close to both Harry and his brother Prince William said that he was aware of Harry’s plans to attend the May 6 ceremony at the beginning of March, but that Harry had demands surrounding his children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Archie turns four years old on the same day as the Coronation, and Charles was reportedly happy to make a nod to his grandson and raise a glass to him during lunch, The Mirror reports. That said, it’s unclear if Harry will even be in attendance at said lunch, as he is reportedly keen to attend the ceremony then rush home to California and his family there.
“The King considered a toast to Archie,” a source told The Mail on Sunday. But with no member of the Sussex family now due at the lunch, it is highly unlikely he would do in their absence.”
While Harry will be in attendance at the Coronation, Meghan will stay behind with the children in California. Royal commentator Kristen Meinzer told Insider that it made sense for one parent to stay home and celebrate Archie’s birthday while the other fulfills his royal obligation.
“I think the decision for Harry to go and for Meghan to stay home with the children on Archie’s birthday is a brilliant way to split the difference,” Meinzer said. “As I’ve said in the past, the primary benefit of attending is the optics—of looking as though they’re continuing to do their best on their end, even if the royal family isn’t always doing their best on their end. But I’ve always maintained that the Sussexes must also do what’s best for their own little family and their own mental health. It sounds like that’s what they’ll be doing.”
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

Rachel Burchfield is a writer, editor, and podcaster whose primary interests are fashion and beauty, society and culture, and, most especially, the British Royal Family and other royal families around the world. She serves as Marie Claire’s Senior Celebrity and Royals Editor and has also contributed to publications like Allure, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, People, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and W, among others. Before taking on her current role with Marie Claire, Rachel served as its Weekend Editor and later Royals Editor. She is the cohost of Podcast Royal, a show that was named a top five royal podcast by The New York Times. A voracious reader and lover of books, Rachel also hosts I’d Rather Be Reading, which spotlights the best current nonfiction books hitting the market and interviews the authors of them. Rachel frequently appears as a media commentator, and she or her work has appeared on outlets like NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN, and more.
-
24 Undeniably Chic Fashion and Beauty Finds on My Summer Shopping List
From linen staples to gel bronzer.
-
Naomi Campbell Goes for Baroque on the Cannes Red Carpet
She arrived at a May 20 premiere in one of the film festival's most ornate looks yet.
-
Carrie Bradshaw's Iconic Jimmy Choos Are Back—With a Twist
Her famous pairs are all yours now.
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Wedding Photographer Reveals Unseen Photo—and How He Wrangled the Royal Kids
Somebody had to call in the bribes.
-
Lip Reader Shares the Hilarious Comment Prince Harry Allegedly Made While Waiting for Meghan Markle to Arrive at Their 2018 Royal Wedding
The Duke of Sussex's anxiety seemed pretty evident.
-
Former Royal Staffer Reveals How Queen Elizabeth "Worked Closely" on One Aspect of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Wedding Day
The late Queen shared her expertise when it came to a touching tradition.
-
Meghan Markle Shares Never-Before-Seen Photos of Her "Love Story" With Prince Harry to Celebrate Seventh Wedding Anniversary
"Love wins."
-
The "Disapproving" Comment Queen Elizabeth Allegedly Made at Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Wedding
According to a royal expert, the late monarch had some thoughts about Meghan's wedding gown.
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Wedding Broke the Same Tradition as King Charles and Queen Camilla's Ceremony
It made the day much more in line with the average wedding.
-
London Residents "Shocked" After Prince Harry Rang "Wrong" Doorbell Searching for Friend's House
"I don't think many people would just walk down a road knocking on doors."
-
Why Princess Diana Regretted Mentioning One Former Lover in Her BBC 'Panorama' Interview, According to Royal Expert
"She had said, if you remember, that she was in love with him."