Why Is Meghan Skipping the Coronation?

With just weeks to go before the Coronation, the Sussexes finally submitted their reply to the Palace earlier this week. On Wednesday, both Buckingham Palace and the Sussexes released similar statements informing the public that Harry will come to the Coronation on his own, and Meghan will remain in Montecito with Archie and Lili.

I was most interested to see what would “leak” from friends and sources to the media after this announcement. Omid Scobie kicked off the theories by reporting that Archie’s May 6th birthday “played a factor in the couple’s decision.” That narrative gained some traction, but I don’t think that many people gave it significant credence.

It certainly doesn’t fly in my book. The family traveled to the United Kingdom last year for the Queen’s Jubilee and were in London for Lili’s birthday. They hosted a birthday party at Frogmore Cottage—a home they still have access to through the Coronation weekend—although I imagine it is mostly emptied out by now.

A coronation is a major event, and the Sussexes could have celebrated Archie’s birthday early, late, or even on the very same day, just after his parents returned from the royal festivities. This seems an obviously transparent excuse.

In the weeks leading up to their decision, there have been mixed reports about whether the Sussexes were in negotiations with the Palace over their treatment at the Coronation. Today, the Sun reported that Harry and Meghan did not engage in detailed negotiations beyond ironing out security: