Meghan Markle’s decision to snub King Charles’s Coronation has “let down” the monarch, according to a royal expert.
The Duchess of Sussex has opted to remain in California with her children while the ceremony takes place.
According to royal commentator Ingrid Seward, the Duchess’ move has “let down” members of the family who hoped she would attend.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry stepped down as working members of the Royal FamilyPASpeaking on GB News, she said: “I think it is a snub from Meghan to Charles and she has let herself down.“
She could have come to the UK and be on the arm of her husband, gone to the Abbey and thought ‘stuff the lot of you, I’m here and I look gorgeous, I’m going to look like I’m enjoying it then I’m going to go home’
“I think that would have taken guts. I believe that she really couldn’t face the idea of coming here to an abbey full of people that didn’t like here.
“The birthday of a four-year-old child is an excuse. She’s let herself down, her husband down and very much her father-in-law down.”
King Charles is preparing for his CoronationReutersDan Wootton hit out at the move from the Duchess in response, describing it as “gutless”.
The move from Harry and Meghan to confirm whether they’re attending the event ended months of speculation over the matter, where many felt neither would as a result of the pair making a series of inflammatory remarks about members of the royal establishment.
Harry, who will make the trip across the pond, will be seen in a public setting with Charles, Camilla, his brother the Prince of Wales, sister of law the Princess of Wales and the rest of the family for the first time since he lambasted the royals in his memoirs.
The Palace said in a brief statement on Wednesday: “Buckingham Palace is pleased to confirm that the Duke of Sussex will attend the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey on 6th May.
“The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.”
Harry’s trip to the UK is expected to be a brief one after he criticised Charles’s parenting, said the King was jealous of Meghan and Kate, and accused William of physically attacking him in his tell-all book.
He also dubbed Camilla “dangerous” and accused her of sacrificing him on her own “personal PR altar”.
The claims made by Harry were seen as significantly damaging to his already flailing relationship with the royal establishment, after he and Meghan stepped down as working royals in 2020.