Prince Harry had a strong inkling for weeks that he would be present at his father’s coronation.
A reliable former equerry, who maintains good relationships with both Harry and Prince William, was informed of Harry’s intentions early last month.
Despite initially considering it a brief visit, this flyby will allow him to reconnect with his limited circle of UK-based friends, which now consists of just six individuals.
The delay in confirming his attendance was attributed to concerns about his seating arrangement behind senior royals during the Westminster Abbey service.
However, a significant factor has been his insistence on the royal family publicly acknowledging the status of his children, Archie and Lilibet.
The coronation date, set for May 6, coincides with Archie’s fourth birthday, presenting an ideal opportunity for the king’s fourth grandchild to receive special recognition.
There were discussions about Charles making a gesture towards Archie during a post-procession lunch, but with no Sussex family members expected to be present, it seems unlikely to occur.
This situation has been characterized as a power struggle, emblematic of the ongoing tensions between Buckingham Palace and the Sussexes.
Harry is particularly sensitive to disputes over protocol, hierarchy, and perceived slights.
In addition to seating arrangements, contentious issues have included balcony positions at Buckingham Palace and guidelines prohibiting young children from attending events at Westminster Abbey.
The king’s aides have maintained that only working members of the royal family should be visible on the balcony in front of the public, leaving no space for Harry or even Prince Andrew.
Harry’s supporters point out that after the queen’s coronation, both Charles and Anne were present on the balcony, highlighting inconsistencies in the application of these rules.
Another source of tension is Harry’s strained relationship with his cousin Princess Eugenie, exacerbated by her mother, Meghan, Duchess of York’s complex position within the royal family.
The prospect of their potential encounter on May 6th adds further complexity to the situation.
The issue of seating arrangements has been a recurring point of contention for the Sussexes, dating back to social gatherings in West London during Harry and Meghan’s courtship in 2016.
Similar discomfort arose at events hosted by mutual acquaintances and even at Pippa Middleton’s wedding reception.
Notably, seating issues persisted during significant royal events such as the Commonwealth Day service and the late Queen’s funeral, where the Sussexes found themselves positioned at the periphery, hindering visibility and access to cameras.
These recurring challenges have left Harry feeling isolated and marginalized, akin to being in “social Siberia.”
The ongoing saga reflects the intricate dynamics and power struggles within the royal family, underscoring the complexities of navigating tradition, protocol, and personal relationships in the public eye.
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