Harry, Meghan’s demands are ‘chaos’ at King Charles’ coronation

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Factor: Nika Shakhnazarova

March 18, 2023 | at 13:23

According to a report, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are demanding a seat on the Buckingham Palace balcony during King Charles’ coronation – and recognition during their two young children’s celebrations.

The requests and the couple’s apparent holdout until their wishes are granted could throw the historic event into “chaos”, royal insiders fear.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex – who recently received their invitation to the May 6 ceremony – are still considering whether to make the 5,459-mile journey.

If they leave, the exiled royals will face the “cold shoulder” from senior members of the royal family, according to the report.

Harry and Meghan are mainly concerned about the role of their children — Prince Archie, who will turn 4 when his grandfather is crowned king, and Princess Lilibet, 1, a source close to the palace told OK! Magazine.

It is believed that Archie and Lilibet have not been invited to attend the coronation, which reportedly did not go down too well with the exiled royals.

“The Palace is trying to finish the negotiations as quickly as possible, because they cannot go directly to the leadership. It could lead to chaos, the insider said.

“However, the Sussexes insisted they be included with the rest of the family at the palace later that day,” the insider added.

“It’s also Prince Archie’s birthday on the day of the coronation, so they’d like some sort of nod to that at the lunch or drinks reception. Even if it’s just a happy birthday mention.”

According to the source, the absence of the two youths from the event “was never in dispute” due to the “restlessness and tantrums” typical of young children.

Harry and Meghan are also said to be aiming for access to the balcony of Buckingham Palace on the big day – a royal protocol strictly reserved for members of the royal family.

“It may well be that it ends in a stalemate and they don’t participate. But the palace is doing everything it can to prevent that from happening.”

Charles is due to be officially crowned on May 6, which fans believe was chosen specifically to cause conflict on the Sussexes and Archie’s birthday.

Meanwhile, leaked plans revealed that Prince William’s children are expected to attend the coronation, The Times reported.

George, 9, Charlotte, 7, and Louis, 5, are set to join their parents Prince William and Kate Middleton in the carriage behind the Gold State Coach carrying the King and Queen.

The coronation drama is the latest sign of rift among the royals since the Sussexes split from senior members of the royal family in 2020.

The move led to conflict and bad blood, eventually leading to their absence from the palace balcony late at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations last summer.

The Post has contacted representatives for Sussex, while Kensington Palace declined to comment.