Q&A: What part will Harry play at the coronation and why won’t Meghan be there?

The duke will be a guest at his father’s crowning, but Meghan will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (Chris Jackson/PA (PA Archive)

With the Duke of Sussex attending the King’s coronation and the Duchess of Sussex staying away, here are all the questions raised about Harry and Meghan, and Charles’s big day:

– Why did it take so long for the Sussexes to decide whether to attend?

The RSVP save the date passed nine days ago, but there was no public confirmation of Harry and Meghan’s decision, leaving planners unable to finalise the arrangements for Operation Golden Orb, until Wednesday.

Harry has a notoriously fraught relationship with the King and the Prince of Wales after repeatedly criticising the pair, most notably in his controversial memoir Spare at the start of the year.

Meghan too criticised the monarchy in the couple’s Netflix documentary and accused an unnamed senior royal of racism in her Oprah interview and the institution of failing to help her when she was suicidal.

The matter was also complicated by the coronation being held on Prince Archie’s fourth birthday.

– Why won’t Meghan be there and is her absence a snub?

With May 6 being Archie’s birthday, Meghan is staying in California with her son and Princess Lilibet.

By missing the ceremony, she also avoids a huge media circus and a potentially uncomfortable appearance alongside the royal family.

Some will brand it a snub, others will say it is sensible and that Harry being there and Meghan not is the best compromise.

Political activist Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu called it “empowering” for Meghan to say no to Britain’s “most powerful family”, adding: “I’m here for Meghan not giving a damn what anyone thinks.”

– Is Harry’s appearance at the coronation going to be tricky?

The royal family is well versed at putting on a united front in public.

But it will be the first time the King, the Queen Consort, William and the Princess of Wales have been pictured with Harry since he criticised them in his tell-all memoir.

– What role will Harry perform on the day?

It is likely he will just be a guest, but Buckingham Palace has yet to confirm.

Blood princes traditionally pay homage to the monarch and the ritual involves placing their hands between the King’s and swearing allegiance, touching the crown and kissing the King’s left cheek.

But it has been suggested William will be the only blood prince to do so this time, removing the dilemma of whether to involve the disgraced Duke of York or former working royal Harry in the proceedings.

– Where will the duke sit in Westminster Abbey?

Harry is expected to be sat alongside other members of the royal family, but it is not yet known whether the King’s second son will have a front row seat.

For the late Queen’s state funeral in the Abbey, the duke was in the second row with Meghan, directly behind Charles and Camilla.

Seating arrangements usually have a different format at coronations to weddings and funerals.

– Will Harry join the grand royal procession back to the Palace?

It has not yet been confirmed.

Charles and Camilla are travelling back from the Abbey in the opulent horse-drawn Gold State Coach, taking a slow 1.3 mile route to the Palace as part of a huge military parade.

Other royals are expected take part in the celebratory journey.

– And will Harry appear on the Palace balcony to wave at the crowds?

Who knows? For the Platinum Jubilee, the late Queen dictated that only working members of the royal family would appear on the famous balcony, ruling out Harry and Meghan.

It will be down to the King to decide.

– What will Harry wear to the coronation?

The Gentlemen’s dress code is morning dress, lounge suit or uniform.

Harry served in the Armed Forces for more than a decade, but at most official events following the death of the late Queen, he was in civilian dress including at her state funeral because he is not a working royal.

It is not known if he will be allowed to a military uniform to the coronation, and the King, head of the Armed Forces, will have the last say.

Harry is permitted to wear his decorations, which would include his Afghanistan war medals and his Jubilee medals.

May 6 is also a Collar Day on which insignia of certain members of British orders of knighthood may be worn.

Harry is a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.

– Will Harry attend any other coronation festivities?

No. Harry will make a quick exit.

He is expected to fly back to the US to be with Meghan and the children – in particular Archie for his birthday weekend.

The duke will miss the concert at Windsor Castle and Big Lunch celebrations on the Sunday, and not be part of Monday’s Big Help Out volunteering drive, but Harry is not a working member of the royal family.

– Will Meghan watch the coronation on television?She may be busy with Archie’s birthday celebrations.

But if she does, she will emulate the Duchess of Windsor – the last American divorcee to marry a senior royal and become involved in a royal crisis.

In 1953, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor watched their niece Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation on television, from hundreds of miles away in Paris.

Edward VIII plunged the monarchy into despair in 1936 when he abdicated over his love for the former Wallis Simpson.

– What about Harry’s security?

It is unclear what the arrangements will be for Harry’s protection while he is in London.

The duke is taking legal action against the Home Office over his security arrangements in the UK.