The question of whether Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will attend King Charles’ coronation has dominated British tabloid headlines for months now.
So it was a shock when the world learned that Meghan and Harry had not been invited, and that Buckingham Palace had (reportedly) not yet decided whether to extend the invitation.
Here, we’re guessing that either the invitations have been sent and the Sussexes are huddling and hanging around, or the royals have decided to snub Harry and Meghan.
The reality of the situation is not dramatic, but at least we can take comfort in knowing that the kings are struggling with indecisiveness.
Granted, the coronation won’t take place until May, but this isn’t an event where you throw out a hastily thrown Facebook invite days before.
So why is Charles dragging out this important family issue?
Well, historically, being overshadowed isn’t something royals have to worry about, but some believe that Charles is worried that his big day will come to a screeching halt amid Meghan’s current legal drama.
As previously reported, Meghan was sued by her evil step-sister, Samantha Markle.
Like all his life, Sam’s frivolous lawsuits almost always come to nothing (at the pre-trial hearing, the judge called it “ripe for dismissal”).
But the real goal in all of this is to keep her name in the headlines and make life more difficult for Meghan.
And sadly, they have succeeded in that.
According to the Queen’s former press secretary Dickie Arbiter, the royals are worried that the Markles’ legal wrangling could affect the coronation ceremony.
“It’s like walking through a minefield that is only half cleared and we have to wait and see what the judge will conclude,” he told the Daily Mail.
Letter on Sunday editor Charlotte Griffiths also used a military metaphor in describing this perilous situation.
“They probably want to stop speculating and distracting him, because I think Meghan and Harry haven’t made a decision either,” he said.
“They can’t say ‘you’re banned’ because that would make them look bad,”
Griffiths said that in addition to Sam’s situation, there were fears that Meghan and Harry would decline the invitation, a move that would also steal Charles’ thunder.
“[The palace] just don’t know if Harry and Meghan will accept it,” he explained.
“It would be a shame if Harry and Meghan showed up to decline the invitation,” Griffiths said.
‘So I think that’s why he’s allowed the speculation to continue because he’s stuck in this no-man’s land.’
So while Samantha might not have a snowball’s chance in hell of suing her sister, she succeeded in complicating the Princess’s situation with her in-laws.
It’s a reminder that fairy tale princesses always have fun, but in the real world, mischief sometimes rises above.
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