Meghan’s estranged father Thomas Markle has stated she was right to skip Charles’s coronation – because she had “too many differences” with the Royals.
The former actress, 41, held a ‘quiet’ party for Prince Archie, 4, instead of celebrating her father-in-law’s coronation as King Charles III.
Prince Harry, 38, managed a visit before the coronation and left at 1.15pm to rejoin his family at their £11million mansion in Montecito, California.
And Meghan’s father says this was a good thing – because of the bad blood amid the family feud.
The 78-year-old, who stayed up all night watching the ceremony on TV at his home in Rosarito, Mexico, told the Mail on Sunday that he believed “it was best” for the Duchess to stay home.
The former actress, 41, held a ‘quiet’ party for Prince Archie, 4, yesterday instead of celebrating her father-in-law’s coronation as King Charles III
Meghan Markle’s father Thomas Snr (center with son Tom Jr, right, and daughter Samantha, left), who stayed up all night to watch the ceremony on TV at his home in Rosarito, Mexico, told the Mail on Sunday he believed ” it was for the best’ that the Duchess stayed home
Prince Harry watches his brother Prince William in the front row at the coronation of their father King Charles III at Westminster Abbey
Prince Harry gave a Hollywood-worthy smile at Heathrow today as he prepared to fly back to California after an awkward appearance at his father’s coronation
He continued, “There are too many disagreements between Meghan, Harry and the Royals.
“It was wonderful to see the good people of Britain welcome their new king and queen.”
Prince Harry slipped out of Westminster Abbey – accompanied by a Metropolitan Police escort and four outriders – with only a brief goodbye and headed straight for Heathrow Airport.
He hurried from the service to the airport in a darkened BMW, accompanied by a Metropolitan Police escort and four outriders, where he was taken to the VIP Windsor Suite.
After just 28 hours and 42 minutes in the UK, he was back on a plane to California before his father and stepmother had even finished taking their official portraits.
And it seems that Meghan too was eager to avoid the ‘drama’ of a return to the UK.
A source close to the Sussexes told the Mail on Sunday that Meghan “stayed home to celebrate Archie’s birthday because she felt it wouldn’t be authentic to do anything else.”
Royal fans shared birthday messages for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s son Archie (pictured) as he turned four
Sources close to the Sussexes confirmed that Archie (pictured) had a “private party” on his birthday at the couple’s mansion in Montecito, California, and a lemon cake baked by the Duchess of Sussex with fruit from their garden
After just 28 hours and 42 minutes in the UK, Harry was back on a plane to California before his father and stepmother had even finished having their official portraits done.
The moment the Duke of Sussex, 38, told Jack Brooksbank he was ‘going away’ as they took their seats in Westminster Abbey, before uttering the words ‘airport’, according to a professional lip reader
They added, “She wanted to minimize the drama.”
Harry was pictured smiling broadly as he arrived at the airport’s Windsor suite for his British Airways flight, still in morning suit and carrying his medals.
The Duke of Sussex was reported to have boarded a 3:45 a.m. flight that would have seen him land in Los Angeles at 6:55 p.m. local time.
The drive to Montecito from Los Angeles Airport takes approximately 90 minutes. Another source said: “He was always determined to get back in time to spend part of Archie’s birthday at home.
“Harry was determined to get back in time to put Archie to bed.”
They confirmed that Archie had a “private party” on his birthday and a lemon cake baked by the Duchess of Sussex with fruit from their garden.
When asked if any of the partygoers included celebrity neighbors like Oprah Winfrey, the source replied, “Some of their friends are celebrities, so yes, that’s likely.” It will be a small, intimate gathering.’
Archie’s grandmother Doria Ragland was expected to attend the party, as well as Meghan’s close friend, makeup mogul Victoria Jackson, 65.
Archie is pictured with his parents and grandmother, Doria Ragland, living at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor
Prince Harry leaves Westminster Abbey after King Charles III’s coronation at Westminster Abbey
Prince Harry waves as he leaves the historic ceremony
It was reported that the duke was invited to a post-coronation luncheon at Buckingham Palace in what many would have seen as an olive branch after his explosive memoir Spare rocked several members of the royal family – most notably his brother Prince William .
Harry had an awkward smile today as he watched the event of a generation from his relegated third row seat – while his sibling took center stage alongside a beaming Kate Middleton.
The duke seemed keen to put on a jovial display amid ongoing speculation about the royal family’s inner turmoil following the release of his bombshell book in February.
With medals pinned to his jacket, he had been seen laughing and smiling as he entered the church alongside Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice and their respective husbands Jack Brooksbank and Edo Mapelli Mozzi.
It came after he awkwardly nodded to other guests as he endured a solo walk down the aisle to sit next to his cousins before his father and now Queen Camilla arrived.
Harry appeared to bow his head as the newly anointed king passed him on his way out of the abbey – though much of his true reaction was blocked by a feather on Princess Anne’s hat.
The prince had not been seen for more than 24 hours after his arrival and accommodation plans remained shrouded in secrecy – before it emerged that he had flown to the UK on a commercial American Airlines flight Friday morning.