Meghan Markle included in King Charles’ coronation book

Celebrities

By Samantha Ibrahim And Rob Bailey Millado

April 18, 2023 | 10:16 a.m.

King Charles’ latest move has royal watchers saying he was offering an ‘olive branch’ to Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle.

The monarch has highlighted a photograph of the controversial Duke and Duchess of Sussex in her official coronation memorabilia programme. Markle’s appearance is raise eyebrows since she is infamous not attend the historic event on May 6.

The fun family photo was actually taken at Clarence Gardens in 2018 for Charles’ 70th birthday, which explains the absence of Harry and Meghan’s daughters Princess Lilibet, 1, and Prince Archie, 3.

Of course, some social media watchdogs angrily call the image dated.

“Prince Harry, Meghan, Archie and Lilibet were in the UK last year for the Queen’s final Jubilee,” one commenter said. “King Charles was unable to get a family photo with his sons and their children last year, so he is using a photo from 2018 in his coronation programme. They did not attend the Lilibet BD party.

Another intervened: “Peace proposal? It’s using Archie’s baptism photo to wish him a happy birthday for 3 years because you have no recent photos with your grandchildren.

Britain’s ruler, now 74, and his 75-year-old wife, Queen Consort Camilla, are shown in the snap sitting on a bench and cuddling their grandchildren, Princess Charlotte, 7, and Prince George, 9.

Behind the king and queen consort stood Markle, 41, and Harry, 38, along with his brother Prince William, 40, his wife Kate Middleton, 41, and their youngest son Prince Louis, 4. .

The glossy 84-page bundle costs $25 and is on sale now in UK outlets until the big event on May 6. A percentage of the proceeds will go to the Royal Collection Trust and SSAFA, an armed forces charity.

As previously mentioned, the former ‘Suits’ star will be infamous not attend the coronation. Harry, however, will make an appearance.

May 6 is also their son Archie’s 4th birthday and Markle will be staying with him and his daughter, Lilibet, at their home in Montecito, California.

Harry is reportedly planning to make his visit to the UK a quick one as he will return to the US right after the ceremony, according to reports.

The Invictus Games founder would be seated several rows behind the Prince of Wales and other senior members of the Royal Family at the coronation.

Sources have told British media that the deliberate seating arrangement will be done to prevent the estranged brothers from having any kind of confrontation or other “awkward encounters” at the party.

Other cabinet members could give Harry the ‘cold shoulder’ during the coronation, having ‘no interest in talking to him other than exchanging pleasantries’, the source also claimed.

The outlet reported that Harry would likely be seated next to his cousins, Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will perform the coronation ritual next month at Westminster Abbey.

He noted in the remembrance program how he will anoint Charles in the ceremony and the king will exchange his “robes of status and honour” for a plain white shirt. The anointing portion of the event will not be televised due to its religious significance.

The Archbishop wrote that Charles will come before God as a servant “with full knowledge that the task is difficult and that he needs help”.

“Knowing well that even as king, he is part of the people and that even if he has a particular role to fulfill, he shares our human frailties and vulnerabilities”, added the priest.

“(Coronations) often carry with them the hopes and prayers of nations for peace, justice and the common good,” he continued.

Meanwhile, a mix of music stars will perform at the coronation concert – after Harry Styles and Adele reportedly turned it down.

Katy Perry, Andrea Bocelli and Lionel Richie will be will sing at the show at Windsor Castle on May 7.