Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may cause chaos at the upcoming Coronation of King Charles, according to royal author Tom Bower. Bower suspects that the couple may pull a last-minute “stunt” that could overshadow the importance of the event. “I think there is more to come. She’s the master of the unexpected…so I’m sure that when Harry is here, or just before he arrives, something else will come out of California. And unfortunately, it’ll overshadow what the Coronation is meant to be about,” he told GB News.
Bower also believes that King Charles is playing into the hands of the couple by inviting them to the event, despite their strained relationship with the royal family. He thinks that Harry may reverse his decision to attend the Coronation at the last minute, causing further tension. “I’ve always suspected that [Harry] didn’t want to come. I didn’t think he would come, and I think he’s looking for an excuse not to come because quite clearly he has been put back into the guest list area of the Abbey rather than the front. I suspect he’ll look for an excuse until the very last moment not to come. And that’ll be the stunt they’ll pull,” he added.
There is some disagreement among royal commentators about Harry’s seating arrangement in the Abbey. While Bower suggests that seating Harry away from other senior family members could cause an upset, others believe that he will be given a top spot due to his position as the son of the monarch. Gareth Russell, who appeared on True Royalty TV’s The Royal Beat, thinks that not seating Harry in a prominent position could be seen as petty. “If I was advising [the Palace] on PR, I would put [Harry] up close and centre. I don’t think it will look good [if he’s not]. It will look petty, even if it’s a reason of state or politics,” he said.
Katie Nicholl, the Royal Editor for Vanity Fair, also believes that Harry should be given a prominent position. “He can’t look like he’s been shoved into one of the lesser pews. He’s a family member, he’s the King’s second son, he’s coming over for the Coronation, he’s not going to be hidden behind a pillar!” she said.
Despite these conflicting opinions, it is clear that Harry’s attendance at the Coronation has generated a great deal of interest and speculation. Many are wondering what the couple’s next move will be, and whether they will use the event as an opportunity to make a statement or cause controversy.
The tension between Harry and Meghan and the royal family has been well-documented, with the couple making several explosive claims in interviews over the past year. Their decision to step back from royal duties and move to California was seen as a major blow to the monarchy, and their subsequent criticisms of the institution have caused further strain.
While it remains to be seen whether the couple will cause any disruption at the Coronation, it is clear that their relationship with the royal family is still fraught. The event may provide an opportunity for the family to reconcile, or it could deepen the divide between them. Either way, all eyes will be on Harry and Meghan as they attend the most significant day in King Charles’s life.
