Prince Harry To Attend King Charles’ Coronation Without Wife Meghan Markle

After months of speculation, Buckingham Palace announced on Wednesday that Prince Harry will be attending King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla’s coronation at London’s Westminster Abbey on May 6, alone.

“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,” the palace said in a statement.

Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, later confirmed his attendance with a nearly identical statement, which eagle-eyed royal fans noticed had the date written the American way. “The Duke of Sussex will attend the Coronation service at Westminster Abbey on May 6th. The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet,” read the statement.

While Prince William and his eldest son, Prince George, are expected to have important roles in the ceremony, it is still unclear what Prince Harry’s role will be, especially considering the recent family tensions since the release of his memoir Spare.

King Charles’ coronation also happens to have fallen on Prince Archie’s birthday, which is why some believe the Duchess has decided to remain in California. While the Coronation involves three days’ worth of events, including a concert at Windsor Castle and a volunteer day, Prince Harry will reportedly only be attending the crowning ceremony.

Both the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were kept off the balcony during the Queen’s Jubilee last year, but it remains unclear whether he will be joining King Charles and the Royal Family on the Buckingham Palace balcony following the coronation ceremony.