Meghan Markle was 'never likely' to attend Coronation after Royal Family's decision put Duchess in 'impossible situation'
Sources close to those planning the Coronation say Meghan was 'never likely' to attend
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Meghan Markle was "never likely" to attend the Coronation of King Charles III after she was put in an "impossible situation" by the royal family, sources close to those planning the event have claimed.
It has emerged that Prince Harry had been negotiating with Buckingham Palace over the event, including arrangements for security and concerns about the reception from his family.
Buckingham Palace announced that Harry would be in the UK for the ceremony in a statement, saying it was "pleased to confirm" the Duke of Sussex will be at Westminster Abbey in May.
Meghan is set to stay in LA with Lilibet and Archie, whose fourth birthday is on the same day as the ceremony.
Prince Harry confirmed that he will attend the Coronation in May
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It comes after months of tension between the Sussexes and the Royal family following the release of Prince Harry's memoir Spare.
A royal source has claimed that Meghan was "never likely" to attend the Coronation after being put in an "impossible position".
"The truth of the matter is the Duchess was never likely to attend the coronation," the source told The Mirror.
"The mood from California was that she felt increasingly put in an impossible position and there’s a fair sense of relief that the situation is resolved after so much speculation and uncertainty.
"It is one thing to attend the late Queen's funeral out of respect for Her Majesty but another thing entirely to attend the start of a new reign."
A second source added that the Duchess was "damned if she does and damned if she doesn't", but added she had decided to do "the right thing for her young children which should be applauded".
Harry and Meghan's friend Omid Scobie also confirmed that Archie's birthday "played a factor in the couple's decision" and he expected it would be a "fairly quick trip to the UK" for Harry.
Reacting to the announcement, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told the MailOnline: "King Charles will undoubtedly be pleased that both his sons will be represented at his Coronation. It is, after all, quite literally the crowning moment of his life.
More than 2,000 people will gather at Westminster Abbey on May 6 for King Charles' Coronation
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"He had the longest period as Prince of Wales in our history and he used it wonderfully well for the benefit of others. Camilla is wonderfully supportive and also is doing important charitable work.
"Meghan will be with Archie on his fourth birthday. This is probably an ideal compromise.
"For months I hoped for reconciliation but after Spare, the interviews promoting it and the Netflix docuseries it is obvious that this is highly unlikely to happen and that the Sussexes' rift with the royal family is very serious.
"The Sussexes are unpredictable. Their endless attacks on the royal family have been extremely damaging."