Interesting. People Magazine put the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on this week’s cover, and it’s all about their decision regarding the coronation. It was and is a major story – one of our biggest of the year, and one which is still a huge headline across the pond. People Mag doesn’t have any major tea, but I’m somewhat happy to see that the magazine attempts to be fair to the Sussexes, and not center the story on “the Sussexes are wrong no matter what they decided!” Some highlights:
No reconciliation: King Charles is said to be “pleased” his son will be there, but the wider reconciliation so many have hoped for within the family hasn’t happened. “At this point, it’s become so personal,” a close friend tells PEOPLE exclusively in this week’s cover story. “Maybe what they wanted wasn’t achieved, but at the end of the day, he’s going there to support his dad.”
Harry didn’t see his father King Charles or brother Prince William when he was recently in London: “Things are strained,” says a palace insider. King Charles, 74, was deeply saddened by the accusations of disloyalty and media manipulation that Prince Harry made against the royal family in his memoir, Spare, released in January. But it would be Charles’s “first wish” for Harry to join them at the coronation, says a source who knows the royals.
Bittersweet Chubbly: The coronation will be bittersweet for Prince Harry, who, in addition to attending without Meghan, likely has no official role and is not expected to participate in any of the other planned events, including a Buckingham Palace balcony appearance. However, a source who knows the royals tells PEOPLE Harry “will happily go along with whatever the plan is” and that his main concern about attending was the issue of his security, which has been addressed.
Reasonable for Meghan to skip: “It’s an elegant solution,” royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith tells PEOPLE, adding that Archie’s birthday “gave them a reasonable out for Meghan not to come.” But those closest to the Couple know that the media backlash Meghan faced in the U.K. during Queen Elizabeth’s funeral last year — and in the seven months since — played a significant role in her decision not to come.
The scrutiny: “Meghan wants to be there to support her father-in-law, but at the same time, the scrutiny she receives outweighs the support,” the close friend says. “There’s always going to be that other side challenging their reasoning, and who wants to put themselves in that position?” A palace insider also tells PEOPLE, “It would have been quite significant if Harry hadn’t attended his father’s coronation, but I’m not surprised Meghan isn’t going given the circumstances.”
Harry’s doing it for the history: Whatever happens during Prince Harry’s upcoming trip to the U.K. — where he will likely stay at Frogmore Cottage for what could be the last time following King Charles’s decision to evict Harry and Meghan from their U.K. home — “he will look back on it and think it is better to come and play his part and say, ‘I saw my father crowned,’ ” says a source close to the royal household. “And tell his children about it.”
Archie’s birthday “gave them a reasonable out for Meghan not to come.” I love the way British commentators speak about Archie’s birthday like the Sussexes chose to schedule their kid’s birthday for the coronation, like it wasn’t the other way around. No one wants to admit that Charles is a petty, jealous man who is currently beefing with his grandchild over who gets more attention on May 6th. As for the quote about “the scrutiny” Meghan faces… I hate to say this, but that probably is how she would talk about it and how she would describe the unhinged hate campaign against her in the UK. She’s too positive, too optimistic, and I would absolutely believe that her first instinct was to “support” Harry and his father, but “the scrutiny” would have gotten to her.
Photos courtesy of Instar, Avalon Red, Backgrid.
- North America Rights Only – The Hague, Netherlands -20220416-Prince Harry and Meghan Duchess of Sussex attending the Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge during the Invictus Games at Zuiderpark the Hague, Netherlands -PICTURED: Meghan Duchess of Sussex -PHOTO by: Aaron Chown/PA Image/INSTARimages.com Disclaimer: This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact INSTAR Images for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207. This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. INSTAR Images reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded For images containing underage children: Be advised that some Countries may have restricted privacy laws against publishing images of underage children. Inform yourself! Underage children may need to be removed or have their face pixelated before publishing
- NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE – The Hague, The Netherlands -20220422-King Willem-Alexander and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex watch the finals of wheelchair basketball during the Invictus Games -PICTURED: Prince Harry -PHOTO by: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images/INSTARimages.com -51441053.jpg This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact Instar Images LLC for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207 This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. Instar Images LLC reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded
- Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, at the Opening Ceremony of the 2020 Invictus Games in The Hague, Netherlands, on 16th April 2022,Image: 683531632, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: – / Avalon
- Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, at the Opening Ceremony of the 2020 Invictus Games in The Hague, Netherlands, on 16th April 2022,Image: 683531684, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: – / Avalon
-
The Hague, NETHERLANDS – Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex at the 5th edition of the Invictus Games at Zuiderpark in The Hague.
Pictured: Meghan Markle, Prince Harry
BACKGRID USA 17 APRIL 2022
USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com
UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com
*UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children
Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
-
Hofbad, NETHERLANDS – Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex visits swimming matches at the 5th the Invictus Games at Hofbad in The Hague.
Pictured: Prince Harry
BACKGRID USA 19 APRIL 2022
USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com
UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com
*UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children
Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
- USA Rights Only, The Hague, Netherlands – 20220417- The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attending the Invictus Games athletics events in the Athletics Park, at Zuiderpark the Hague, Netherlands. -PICTURED: Prince Harry, Meghan Duchess of Sussex -PHOTO by: DDP/INSTARimages.com -ddp_17043892 This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact Instar Images LLC for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207 This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. Instar Images LLC reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded
- USA Rights Only, The Hague, Netherlands – 20220420- Prince Harry fist bumps a United Kingdom supporter as he attends the Indoor Rowing competition during the Invictus Games at the Zuiderpark. -PICTURED: Prince Harry -PHOTO by: DDP/INSTARimages.com -ddpimages_17059995 This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact Instar Images LLC for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207 This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. Instar Images LLC reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded
- USA Rights Only, The Hague, Netherlands – 20220417- The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attending the Invictus Games athletics events in the Athletics Park, at Zuiderpark the Hague, Netherlands. -PICTURED: Prince Harry, Meghan Duchess of Sussex -PHOTO by: DDP/INSTARimages.com -ddp_17043891 This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact Instar Images LLC for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207 This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. Instar Images LLC reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded
- USA Rights Only, The Hague, Netherlands – 20220416- The openings ceremony of the 2020 Invictus Games, an international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans, at the Zuiderpark in The Hague. -PICTURED: Meghan Duchess of Sussex -PHOTO by: PPE/Nieboer/DDP/INSTARimages.com -INSTAR_Dij2XmkjN This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact Instar Images LLC for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207 This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. Instar Images LLC reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded