NEWS
As it emerges that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been invited to the coronation, Paul Burrell tells Closer we should prepare for a royal showdown
In a seemingly shock U-turn for the Royal Family, it was revealed in a statement by a spokesperson for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle last week that the estranged couple have been invited to the coronation of King Charles on 6 May – despite their ongoing feud with the monarchy still rumbling on.
Now, palace insider and close confidante of the late Princess Diana, Paul Burrell, says that he believes Prince Harry may return for the milestone occasion, but that Meghan will not.
He says, “King Charles has retained the moral high ground by issuing an invitation to both of them. Now the ball is well and truly in Harry and Meghan’s court as to whether they come.
UNCOMFORTABLE
“But it’s likely to be incredibly uncomfortable for them if they attend, particularly Meghan. Are they prepared to face the music? I don’t think Meghan’s brave or strong enough to be there – she’d have to look in the eyes of a family she’s pushed under the bus. But I think Harry may come alone and she’s probably told him she won’t be able to be by his side with him if he does attend.”
The unexpected invitation from the royals comes just two months after Harry, 38, released his bombshell memoir Spare, and just three months after he and Meghan, 41, fired a series of missiles into the heart of the institution with their Netflix documentary.
The couple’s accusations included those of racism towards Meghan, a physical assault towards Harry by Prince William, and a series of alleged vindictive and jealousy driven quips by Kate Middleton.
Despite the ongoing attacks, with Harry saying he came from a “broken family” during his live and ticketed therapy session last week, one royal reporter described the monarchy as “too good for revenge” as they retain a dignified silence.
OLIVE BRANCH
It was also revealed how the couple’s lease on Frogmore Cottage – the former Windsor home Harry and Meghan were gifted by the late Queen and evicted from by Charles earlier this month – has been extended until a date following the coronation.
While this indicates that the Royal Family have extended an olive branch to the couple, their attendance still hangs in the balance.
Paul was a personal butler to the Queen for a decade before attending to Princess Diana – who grew so close to him that she bargained for him in her divorce from Charles – and has known Harry since he was born.
