Prince Archie andPrincess Lilibetwill not be in the U.K. for their grandfatherKing Charles' coronation.
Buckingham Palace confirmed on Wednesday thatPrince Harrywillattend his father’s crowning ceremonyon May 6, but the statement added thatMeghan Markle, 41, will remain in California with their son and daughter. The coronation falls on Prince Archie’s4th birthday, and PEOPLE understands that the Duchess of Sussex will spend the weekend celebrating with him and his sister, 22-month-old Princess Lilibet.
Prince Harry, 38, wanted to be at the service to support his father at this important moment in his life, a friend tells PEOPLE.
Archie and Lili were last in the U.K. duringQueen Elizabeth’sPlatinum Jubileecelebrations in June 2022. Thesignificant tripwas Princess Lili’s first visit to the U.K., as Meghan and Harry’s daughter was born in California on June 4, 2021, and had yet to visit her dad’s homeland. Archie was born in the U.K. on May 6, 2019, but hadn’t been back since late 2019.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.Mike Coppola/Getty
At the time, a royal source told PEOPLE it was a “fantastic visit.” The trip allowed Lili to meet her grandfather, who was then known asPrince Charles, and her great-grandmother,Queen Elizabeth, for the first time.Prince Harryand Meghan named their daughter in the Queen’s honor, asLilibet was her childhood nickname.
“It was a fantastic visit. The prince was delighted to see his grandson and meet his granddaughter for the first time,” the source said, adding that it was “very emotional” and a “wonderful thing” for Charles to meet Lili.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with their children, Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie.Netflix/Youtube
During the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s time in the U.K. in June, they held asmall birthday partyfor Lili, who turned 1 during the trip. The couple, who relocated to Meghan’s home state of California after stepping back from their royal roles in 2020, invited close friends and family to gather for a “casual, intimate backyard picnic” at theirFrogmore Cottagehome, a spokesperson said.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also released anew photoof their daughter in honor of her milestone birthday, revealing her red hair — which she inherited from dad Harry!
Fans got another glimpse of the festivities in the Netflix docuseriesHarry & Meghan, which hit queues in December 2022. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex sharedintimate family photosthroughout the six-episode series, including from Lili’s birthday party.
Prince Harry and Meghan were most recently with the rest of the royal family in the U.K. at the funeral ofQueen Elizabethin September. Harry also made asurprise visit to the U.K.last month, attending London’s High Court for a legal case in which he and other prominent figures includingElton JohnandElizabeth Hurleyare suing Associated Newspapers Ltd (ANL), publisher of theDaily Mail, for illegal information gathering.
Arthur Edwards - WPA Pool/Getty
The coronation update comes after it was revealed that Princess Lilibet was recentlychristened in California. The statement was significant, as it marked the first time thatPrince Harryand Meghan referred to theirchildren’s royal titles.
Upon the death ofQueen Elizabethin September, Harry’s father became King Charles — and as grandchildren of the monarch, Archie and Liliwere afforded the titles of prince and princess. PEOPLE understands that the titles will be used in formal settings and not in everyday use.
“The children’s titles have been a birthright since their grandfather became monarch,” a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex told PEOPLE. “This matter has been settled for some time in alignment with Buckingham Palace.”
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images
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On March 1, PEOPLE confirmed that King Charles decided to evict Harry and Meghan from Frogmore Cottage, their home base in the U.K.
“We can confirm The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been requested to vacate their residence at Frogmore Cottage,” a spokesperson for the couple’s Archewell Foundation said.
A sourcetells PEOPLEin this week’s issue that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are “matter-of-fact” about being requested to leave Frogmore Cottage and aren’t trying to overturn the decision.
The source adds that Harry and Meghan are happy to raise their two children in California, but noted that the eviction decision was “unfortunate” — especially in terms of security. Frogmore Cottage in Windsor had been a haven for the pair and their children when they visited the U.K.
source: people.com
