Royal family is ‘fully expecting’ Harry and Meghan to attend King’s coronation

The Royal Family is ‘fully expecting’ both the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to attend the Coronation, friends reveal.

A well-placed source said that many relatives had been ‘spitting feathers’ about some of the allegations made by Prince Harry in his autobiography and the interviews to publicise it.

However, the family is now bracing themselves for a visit from their Montecito relatives.

A friend said: ‘Members of the family have told me that both Harry and Meghan will definitely come. They fully expect that.

‘And they should realise that there is only one subject that many members of the Royal Family will be willing to discuss… and that’s the weather.’

Coronation invitations – including those for Harry and Meghan – are expected to be sent out imminently.

When they do, the pressure will be on the Sussexes to decide whether or not they will attend.

The day falls on the fourth birthday of their son, Archie. Government advisers are putting plans in place in case Harry decides to attend the event alone in a 48-hour whirlwind trip.

Those close to the family, however, say they are braced for a reunion with the Sussexes.

Any meeting is likely to be a civil affair, with trust eroded between the couple and other members of the family since the publication of the duke’s bombshell memoir Spare.

A friend said: ‘Harry revealed details of private conversations so everyone is on edge. You ask about the Sussexes and everyone immediately changes the subject. They are spitting feathers but not minded to provide any fuel for the fire.’

If the Sussexes do attend the Coronation, they will be spectators and will not form an official part of the ceremony.

There is the added complication that while the Earl and Countess of Wessex are working members of the family, they have not yet been awarded a Dukedom as conversations continue as to whether they will be granted the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh titles by the new King.

The king’s coronation invitations – including those for Harry and Meghan – are expected to be sent out imminently

It means that, as things stand, they would technically have to bow and curtsey to Harry and Meghan.

But it is thought that the choreography of family members on the day will mean that they will not be put in that position publicly.

Palace sources have made it clear that the Sussexes will be invited to attend the Coronation, but will not have an official role in the ceremony.

Nor will they be invited to appear on the balcony at Buckingham Palace.

The same rules are expected to apply to the Sussexes as with the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations when the balcony appearance was restricted to working members of the Royal Family.

The May 6 date – chosen in part as it comes before the state opening of parliament – has left courtiers and government officials racing to meet fast-approaching deadlines.

With only 2,000 seats available – compared to 8,000 for the Queen’s Coronation – Members of Parliament and the House of Lords will enter a ballot to see who will get to attend.

A source said: ‘From what I know of Harry and Meghan, they will both want to spend some time with their son on his birthday.’