The Sussexes shouldn’t expect to play a major role in King Charles’s coronation if they can’t even decide whether to go, royal experts warned today.
It comes as final plans for the historic ceremony, to be held at Westminster Abbey in central London on May 6, are being made public.
Palace officials shared images of the official invitations last night, revealing that Camilla will officially become queen, dropping the “consort” from her title, while Prince George has been named as one of the pages of honor.
The historic ceremonial position is only used at state events and eight boys – four for each monarch – will carry the King’s and Queen’s robes into the abbey.
Although Harry and Meghan’s children, Archie, three years old, and one-year-old Lilibet are too young for such a role, they are reportedly not even invited.
The Sussexes should not be expected to play any significant role in King Charles’s coronation, when they cannot even decide whether to go, royal experts warned today.
Palace officials shared images of the official invitations last night, revealing that Camilla will officially become queen and remove the ‘consort’ from her title, while Prince George has been named as one of the pages of honor
But royal author Phil Dampier told MailOnline today that Harry and Meghan could hardly complain about their children not being involved in the coronation “when they can’t even decide if they want to come.”
He said: “I’m sure if they had made an early decision to attend and accepted the King’s invitation with good graces, it would have been seen as the first step in rebuilding their relationship, and Archie and Lilibet would have been welcomed with open arms. .’
He added: “They are too young to be involved in the actual ceremony, but of course the King would like to see his grandchildren if they came by and it must be heartbreaking to him that he never sees them.”
Prince William will be the only royal vassal at the ceremony, and he alone will kneel to “pay homage” to the king, before touching the crown and kissing his father’s right cheek.
The action is usually performed by all royal dukes, but Charles scrapped the traditional obligation, effectively absolving Prince Harry of all ceremonial duties.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliam said the Sussexes will now “almost certainly play no part” in the coronation.
He told MailOnline: ‘They want the royal family to acknowledge that they mistreated them when they were senior working royals and apologise. This will not happen.
Lili is not yet two and is almost certainly too young to attend, but the ceremony falls on Archie’s fourth birthday. He could have attended, though he’s clearly too young for a part. They are reportedly not invited.’
He added: “Harry and Meghan will almost certainly attend as they would be isolated if they didn’t.
“If they are present, as I fully expect, they will almost certainly have no part in the ceremony…
Prince William will be the sole royal feudal lord at the ceremony, and he alone will kneel to “pay homage” to the king, before touching the crown and kissing his father’s right cheek.
Prince George is the most notable – and youngest – honorary chosen by the King and Queen Consort
The Queen Consort’s Honorary Pages all come from Her Majesty’s family. Among them are her grandsons Gus and Louis Lopes, 13, and Freddy Parker Bowles, 12. Pictured: Freddy is in the foreground with twins Gus and Louis behind them
“The Royal Family knows how to deal with them and is only too aware of the harm they have deliberately done to the Royal Family for monetary gain. The conversation with other royals will be about the weather.
‘They will not, with good reason, be trusted. They only owe that to themselves and their declining viewing figures.’
As well as Prince George, the King’s pages also feature Nicholas Barclay, 13, the grandson of Sarah Troughton, one of the Queen’s companions and oldest friends.
He will be joined by Lord Oliver Cholmondeley, 13, son of David, the Marquess of Cholmondeley, and his former model wife, Rose. Oliver’s father has recently been appointed Lord-in-Waiting to the King – an important royal role.
The boys chosen to carry the couple’s robes to Westminster Abbey show Charles and Camilla’s decision to put family and friends at the heart of this historic occasion
The fourth page is Ralph Tollemache, 12, son of British banker and aristocrat The Honorable Edward Tollemache – a godson to the King and page of honor to Queen Elizabeth.
The Queen Consort’s Honorary Pages all come from Her Majesty’s family. Among them are her grandsons and identical twins Gus and Louis Lopes, age 13, and Freddy Parker Bowles, also 13.
Her second cousin, Arthur Elliot, ten – whose father is former Tory party chairman Ben Elliot – will be her fourth page.
While the Prince and Princess of Wales were touched that the King wanted his grandson to play such an important role, they wanted to make sure the nine-year-old felt good in front of the audience.
After discussions with their eldest son and future monarch, they were happy that he would take the opportunity.
A spokesman for Kensington Palace said last night: “We are all very excited about Prince George’s role at the coronation, it will be an incredibly special moment.”