With not long to go before King Charles III‘s coronation on May 6, the world is getting excited to see the new monarch take the throne. In the United Kingdom, a souvenir program commemorating the momentous event was released on Tuesday, April 18, and it includes two royal family members many perhaps never expected to see. While Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, attends Charles’ coronation at London’s Westminster Abbey, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, will be home in California with the couple’s two children. However, Sussexes will be there in spirit as a family portrait featuring them is included in the coronation program.
The souvenir program for King Charles III’s coronation is 84 pages long and includes plenty of biographical information about both Charles and the Queen Consort, Camilla. Also included are multiple family photos, including Charles’ 70th birthday portraits taken by royal photographer Chris Jackson in 2018. One image taken for the occasion was a family photo that featured King Charles III and Camilla; Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Prince and Princess of Wales; their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis; and Harry and Meghan. Neither Prince Archie nor Princess Lilibet was born at the time.
Jackson took to Instagram on Tuesday to re-share the family portrait and remark on how pleased he was to have it included in King Charles III’s coronation materials. “Nice to see this picture I took in 2018 in the Official Coronation Programme – had such fun taking it,” he wrote.
Many believe including the photo was a very touching choice, especially given the strained relationship between the new monarchs and the Sussexes. Given that the latter couple officially stepped away from royal duties and moved out of the United Kingdom in 2020, it was uncertain what their place within the royal family would be moving forward. And while that’s a question with no set answer, as of yet, many royal fans are pleased to see Harry and Meghan included in such a momentous event.
Whether or not the Sussexes would attend the event was very much a topic of conversation in recent weeks. However, in a statement issued on Wednesday, April 12, it was confirmed that Harry would come alone.
“Buckingham Palace is pleased to confirm that The Duke of Sussex will attend the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey on 6th May. The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet,” a statement from the palace read.
NEW: The official souvenir programme celebrating the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla has been published today. It is on sale now at WHSmith, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, M&S, Waitrose and independent newsagents. pic.twitter.com/BIP9Bq4eaF
— Majesty/Joe Little (@MajestyMagazine) April 17, 2023
