Harry and Meghan’s demands threaten to spark coronation ‘chaos’, says insider

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are threatening to throw King Charles' Coronation into "chaos" by refusing to accept their invitation until their demands have been met, a palace insider has said.

Prince Harry, 38, and wife Meghan Markle, 41, have been locked in strained negotiations with the Royal Family over attending the historic event on May 6.

A major sticking point was how the Sussex children Archie, who turns four on the day of his grandpa's crowning, and one-year-old Lilibet were to be included on the day, reports OK.

READ MORE: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 'struck deal' with Palace to live rent-free at Frogmore

The Sussexes were also pushing for places on the Buckingham Palace balcony alongside the senior members of The Firm.

The Duke and Duchess have already announced they have received an invitation to the Coronation – but the couple are yet to confirm their attendance, which could plunge the entire event into chaos, a Palace insider said.

The source said: "The Palace are trying to wrap up negotiations as quickly as possible because they can't go right up to the wire. It could lead to chaos.

"It could very well be that it ends in stalemate, and they won't attend. But the Palace is doing everything in its power to not let that happen.

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The source added that the inclusion of Archie and Lilibet at the official Coronation at Westminster Abbey had “never been a bone of contention” because small children were not expected to attend such an event "due to restlessness and tantrums”.

“However, what the Sussexes' are pushing for is for them to be included with the rest of the family at the Palace later that day,” the insider said.

"It's also Prince Archie's birthday on Coronation day so they would like some kind of nod to that at a lunch or drinks reception. Even if it's just a happy birthday mention.

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The source added the Sussexes are asking Palace aides to include them on the balcony with the rest of the Royal Family once the King has been crowned to wave to the crowds.

The insider said: “Once the King has been crowned, there will be a Coronation procession that will start at Westminster Abbey and end at Buckingham Palace. Once the procession reaches the Palace, the King will take to the balcony and wave at the crowds with the rest of the royal family members and their children.

“This is where Harry and Meghan have requested inclusion.”

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The current balcony arrangement stands as working royals only.

The Duke and Duchess’ attendance at the King’s Coronation has been in doubt as a result of the damaging allegations levelled at senior members of the Royal Family in the Sussexes’ controversial Netflix documentary and Harry’s bombshell book Spare.

Royal expert Tom Bower recently told The Mirror he believed there was no way back for the couple following the “hostile and vitriolic” claims – adding it would be a mistake for them to attend the historic event.

READ MORE:

• Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 'should apologise' to King before coronation, says expert
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• If King wants Harry and Meghan at Coronation 'he should invite Archie', says expert

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