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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have thrown the upcoming Coronation into “chaos” after refusing to accept the invitation until their demands are met according to palace sources.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are reportedly in tense talks with the Royal Family over their attendance at the historic celebrations. An insider told OK! that a major sticking point was how the Sussex children Archie, three, and one-year-old Lilibet were to be included on the day.
The source added that Harry and Meghan were also pushing for spots on the balcony at Buckingham Palace alongside senior members of the The Firm.
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Harry and Meghan have already confirmed that they received an invitation to the Coronation – but the couple are yet to confirm their attendance for the big event on 6 May.
The source told The Mirror that their failure to officially accept their invitation until their demands were met could plunge the event into chaos.
The source said: “The Palace are trying to wrap up negotiations as quickly as possible because they can’t go right up to the wire. It could lead to chaos.
“It could very well be that it ends in stalemate, and they won’t attend. But the Palace is doing everything in its power to not let that happen.
The source added that the inclusion of Archie and Lilibet at the official Coronation at Westminster Abbey had “never been a bone of contention” because small children were not expected to attend such an event “due to restlessness and tantrums.”
The insider added: “However, what the Sussexes’ are pushing for is for them to be included with the rest of the family at the Palace later that day.
“It’s also Prince Archie’s birthday on Coronation day so they would like some kind of nod to that at a lunch or drinks reception. Even if it’s just a happy birthday mention.”
(Image: AP)
The source claimed that Meghan and Harry were asking Palace aides to include them on the balcony with the rest of the Royal Family once the King has been crowned to wave at the crowds.
The insider said: “Once the King has been crowned, there will be a Coronation procession that will start at Westminster Abbey and end at Buckingham Palace. Once the procession reaches the Palace, the King will take to the balcony and wave at the crowds with the rest of the royal family members and their children.
“This is where Harry and Meghan have requested inclusion.”
The current balcony arrangement stands as working royals only. The Sussexes’ attendance at the Coronation has been in doubt as a result of the damaging allegations made against senior members of the Royal Family in the Sussexes’ controversial Netflix documentary and Harry’s bombshell book Spare.
Royal expert Tom Bower recently told us he believed there was no way back for the couple following the “hostile and vitriolic” claims – adding it would be a mistake for them to attend the historic event.
