Princes Harry and Andrew to attend coronation without formal roles
In the latest development on the British royal coronation, Prince Harry and Prince Andrew will both attend King Charles III’s coronation today, but will take no formal part in the ceremonies, reflecting their ostracisation from the royal family. Harry and his wife Meghan left their royal duties behind in 2020 and have since aired their grievances with the monarchy publicly.
Andrew’s involvement with the late US financier Jeffrey Epstein and a related sexual abuse allegation, which was settled out of court, has further limited his role within the family.
Although the Duke of Sussex and the Duke of York will be present at the Westminster Abbey coronation service, they won’t perform any duties nor participate in the public procession following the newly-crowned monarch. However, they may still appear on the palace balcony.
Harry, fifth in line to the throne, will attend the event for the first time since releasing his memoir “Spare” and participating in multiple TV interviews where he criticised the royal family. Meghan will stay in California with their children, possibly to avoid tense encounters with the in-laws.
In the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, royal dukes showed allegiance and loyalty. However, this time, only Prince William, the heir to the throne, will pledge “the words of fealty” and pay “the homage of royal blood” during the coronation liturgy, preventing Harry from having to kneel before his father.
Buckingham Palace has not confirmed whether Harry and Andrew will appear on the palace balcony following the ceremony. While only working royals made an appearance during Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June, the 1953 coronation involved multiple balcony appearances, so the princes could potentially join the wider royal family.
Saturday is Archie’s fourth birthday, and Harry might return to California soon after the event. Andrew’s association with Epstein and his alleged coercion to have sex with Virginia Giuffre when she was 17 has significantly impacted his public image. Despite stepping back from his patronages and resigning from all public roles, Andrew participated in events surrounding Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral. However, King Charles has shown no intention of reinstating him in any public capacity.
