Prince Harry will skip King Charles’s coronation concert, say sources
Prince Harry ‘will skip star-studded concert for King Charles’s coronation by rushing back to California to be with Meghan, Archie and Lilibet just HOURS after attending the monarch’s historic ceremony’
Prince Harry will fly back to California to be with Meghan and their two young children just hours after his father King Charles’s coronation in London, royal sources have claimed today.
The Duke of Sussex has confirmed he will be at Westminster Abbey on May 6 without his wife and their children Archie and Lilibet.
It is now believed that Harry has told the King he won’t be staying in Britain for the star-studded concert at Windsor Castle the following day – and will instead fly back to the US after the ceremony so he can be with his family can be and can be late. celebrate Archie’s fourth birthday, which also falls on May 6.
A source told it Mirror: ‘Harry said he would return for the King’s coronation, but it will only be a fleeting visit. The organizers have been informed that Harry will not be attending the concert with the rest of the royal family, which is a real shame as it will be such a spectacular event.’
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle walk out of St Paul’s Cathedral in London on June 3, 2022
Harry, Meghan, Charles and Camilla observe the Queen’s coffin in London last September
It comes after friends of the Sussexes said Harry’s visit to Britain will be a ‘quite quick journey’ and he will be alone at the coronation.
Earlier this month, Buckingham Palace and a spokesperson for the Sussexes confirmed that Harry would attend the coronation. However, Meghan is staying at home in the US with their children Archie and Lilibet after “extensive discussions” between London and California.
It is clear that the King and Prince William have not had any meaningful dialogue with Harry since the Queen’s funeral last September.
Harry will play no part in next month’s official procession, walking in and out as a guest. The front row seats are reserved for working members of the royal family. Sources have also indicated that the duke delayed replying to the coronation invitation because he was “preoccupied” with where he should sit during the ceremony.
The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment began coronation rehearsals yesterday
The BBC announced last week that musical stars such as Take That, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie will perform during the Coronation Concert on May 7. The line-up also includes Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli, Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, singer Freya Ridings and classic soul composer Alexis Ffrench.
The event will be held in the grounds of Windsor Castle in front of a crowd of 20,000 members of the public and invited guests and will be broadcast on BBC television and radio stations.
More acts will be announced in the coming days.
The show will also feature a performance by the Coronation Choir, which will be created with community choirs and amateur singers from across the UK. They will perform alongside the virtual choir, which will be made up of singers from across the Commonwealth for a special performance on the evening.
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Charles at Westminster Abbey in London in March 2019
The late Queen Elizabeth II, Charles, Camilla, William, Kate, Harry and Meghan attend Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey on March 9, 2020
The centerpiece of the concert will be the Lighting Up The Nation, where venues across the UK will light up using projections, lasers, drone displays and lighting.
The concert, produced by BBC Studios Productions, will be broadcast live from the grounds of Windsor Castle on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.
MailOnline approached the Sussexes for comment.