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Daily Record
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Kyle O'Sullivan & Tasha Hall

Prince Harry's Coronation 'demands' explained with less than half honoured as historical Royal event looms

Following months of speculation around whether Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle would be attending the historic Coronation next month, it was finally confirmed last week the Duke of Sussex will be in the UK for the event.

But after months of turmoil, tension and drama among the members of the Royals, which included Harry's bombshell Netflix documentary and publication of his memoir Spare, it wasn't always certain that he would be in attendance.

Prince Harry made a number of demands to King Charles ahead of the congregation at Westminster Abbey, but according to reports, less than half of these have been met as the day looms.

And whilst he has decided to attend the landmark event on May 6 in a suspected 'whistle stop' tour on UK soil, his wife Meghan will remain at home in California with their kids Archie and Lilibet, with Prince Archie's fourth birthday also falling on the same date.

While some of the alleged 'demands' are perfectly reasonable and have been agreed upon by the Palace according to reports in the Mirror, Harry wasn't granted all of his wishes.

Prince Harry's demands that have been met:

A chat with King Charles

Prince Harry reportedly wanted a face-to-face chat with his father and brother, Prince William, before he agreed to attend the ceremony at Westminster Abbey next month which would explain the delay in his decision.

According to sources, Harry wanted a summit with King Charles and Prince William to discuss the ongoing issues that have ripped the family apart over recent months.

An insider told The Mirror: "He's said he wants to reconcile with his family and it’s their call, but so far nothing has changed."

During an interview with Tom Bradby on ITV earlier this month, Harry was asked if he will come to the coronation if he is invited, and he said: "There's a lot that can happen between now and then. But, you know, the door is always open. The ball is in their court.

Prince Harry hoped to get a chat with his father and estranged brother Prince William ahead of the Coronation taking place. (Getty Images)

"There's a lot to be discussed and I really hope that they can - that they are willing to sit down and talk about it, because there's a lot that's happened in six years. And prior to that as well."

While it hasn't happened in person, Harry has reportedly had a heart-to-heart talk with Charles and wanted to show "support for his father" by attending the Coronation.

There was a "willingness and wanting to mend on both sides" following the revelations in Harry's autobiography Spare, according to a Sun source.

Meghan Markle's invitation

Despite tensions between the Sussexes and the rest of the Royal family being at an all-time low, the Duchess did in fact get an invitation to the Coronation next month.

But she took the decision to stay at home in the US with her son and daughter, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, with her husband representing the family on his own as he jets across to the event on May 6.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement: "Buckingham Palace is pleased to confirm that the Duke of Sussex will attend the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey on 6th May.

"The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet."

Archie's fourth birthday falling on the same day as King Charles is being crowned monarch was said to have been a contentious issue, with it reportedly being the main reason Meghan decided not to attend as a host of famous faces will celebrate at the birthday bash.

Royal editor Omid Scobie tweeted: "I understand that Archie's fourth birthday (also on May 6) played a factor in the couple's decision.

"Expect it to be a fairly quick trip to the UK for Prince Harry, who will only be attending the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey."

Security arrangements

Amid all the Royal drama and tensions, Prince Harry was concerned about security issues on the big day, but he has been given reassurance about his safety for attending the event as he lands in the UK.

Harry has been told he will be protected when attending events with the Royal Family over the Coronation weekend according to the Mirror, as he was when returning for the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in the summer and Her Majesty’s funeral in September.

Prince Harry will be forced to work out his own private security if he takes part in any of the social events outside of the Coronation. (Getty Images)

But he will be left to fork out his own pockets for privately funded bodyguards if he takes part in any of the events outside of the main congregation.

Former head of royal protection for the Met Police, Dai Davies, said: "If Harry is as concerned about his safety as he has made clear to the High Court, then he faces the prospect of essentially living under house arrest when he’s in the UK.

"Of course he will be protected by (police) officers when attending the main events, but if he fancies doing anything else then he’ll have to pay for his own security if he is that concerned."

Prince Harry's demands that haven't been met:

Showdown with Prince William

Harry was also holding out hopes to put his long-running feud with his estranged older brother Prince William to bed at the event, having not spoken to him since the Queen's funeral.

But any hopes for that are dashed, as the seating plan has placed the brothers away from each other and not on any public rows on the big day.

They will be placed so far apart according to the Daily Express that it will be almost impossible to catch a shot of the brothers together, and any hopes of awkward side glances will be non-existent.

Prince Harry will be sat away "several rows back from senior royals" with his entrance being monitored right up to the finer details. According to experts, "warm interactions" between the brothers are not anticipated and William has rejected his brother's demand for a meeting before the Coronation happens.

Despite the "bad blood and betrayal" in recent years, it's claimed that William will "tolerate" his younger brother at the Coronation.

An end to the 'toxic' Royal atmosphere

Although many people will be hoping the rift among the family is put to bed at the historical ceremony on May 6, reports say it is "highly unlikely" Harry is going to get a warm welcome at the Coronation after the allegations he's made against the Royal Family.

An insider told The Mirror: "Harry has been very clear and his position hasn't wavered – he isn't going to come if he feels the atmosphere will be as toxic as it was during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and funeral."

However, sources close to the royals claim most family members have "no interest" in talking to Harry "beyond basic greetings" with him forced to face the music with those he has made strong allegations against in his Netflix doc and memoir.

They did add that Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who has stayed close friends with her cousin and visited him in California, could be the only "exceptions" who may greet him on the day.

Prince Archie's fourth birthday recognition

The Coronation date for King Charles and Queen Camilla officially being crowned awkwardly falls on his grandson Prince Archie's fourth birthday - May 6.

And we previously reported Archie and his sister Princess Lilibet, despite being new grandkids to the King, were not invited, with sources citing that the children are "very young".

Harry was said to have always been keen to attend the Coronation for his father due to it being a 'key milestone' in the family, but would have liked some recognition during the big day for his son's celebration.

"Archie's birthday falls on May 6th, coronation day and the Sussexes want the family to recognise that," a source told OK!.

"The Sussexes have asked for some kind of celebration or acknowledgement to be factored into the day's plans to ensure that his fourth birthday won’t get lost during the momentous day."

It's also been reported that Charles had toyed with the idea to honour Archie at his post-procession Coronation lunch by raising a glass, but this is no longer being considered with Harry set to rush straight off after the 11am ceremony to celebrate with his son, while Meghan has decided to avoid the Coronation altogether.

A source told the Mail on Sunday: "The King considered a toast to Archie. But with no member of the Sussex family now due at the lunch, it is highly unlikely he would do in their absence."

Balcony appearance

There was plenty of speculation over whether Prince Harry would appear on the famous Buckingham Palace balcony.

The King and Queen will appear in front of thousands of people on the balcony to celebrate their Coronation alongside senior working royals, but Harry will not be part of the event.

Detailed plans seen by The Mirror revealed how the King has chosen to say thanks for the nation alongside a select few royals who have dedicated their lives to public service, while also showing "the heartbeat and future of his family".

The final group of 15 shows the Prince and Princess of Wales will be there with their kids, but there is no place for non-working royals such as Harry or the disgraced Prince Andrew.

Royal sources have said King Charles' decision to appear in the historic moment with just his closest and most loyal family members will mirror his vision of a slimmed-down monarchy.

Rumours of Harry demanding to be included on the balcony are said to be "wide of the mark", according to some palace insiders as its also believed Harry will not take part in either of the two processions too and from Westminster Abbey.

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