The monarch’s big day was full of celebration throughout the UK. Members of the royal family and esteemed guests from around the globe arrived to mark the occasion.

Except Meghan, of course.

Buckingham Palace released a statement ahead of the day, explaining Meghan Markle, and her two children, would stay in California instead of attending King Charles’ coronation. But the fallout after has proven to reveal more reasons she decided to skip the event.

Why didn’t Meghan Markle attend King Charles’ coronation?

At the time Buckingham Palace confirmed Harry would attend King Charles‘ coronation without Meghan Markle.

A statement read weeks before the ceremony: “Buckingham Palace is pleased to confirm that the Duke of Sussex will attend the coronation service at Westminster Abbey on May 6th.

“The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.”

The big day fell on Prince Archie’s birthday and she wanted to be at home with him to mark his fourth year around the sun.

However, other reasons have come to light following the crowning ceremony.

A source close to the Sussexes later claimed she snubbed the coronation invite after finding King Charles’ response to her letter as ‘unsatisfactory’. Insiders alleged the duchess was unimpressed with The Firm’s reaction to the allegations she and Prince Harry made during their bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview.

Following the tell-all interview, Meghan reportedly wrote to Charles about the rift in the royal family, but was upset with his response. But Meghan had written to her father-in-law after Charles reached out first, expressing regret over the feud within the royal family.

It’s said she was dissatisfied with the response over her accusation a member of The Firm spoke about Prince Archie’s skin colour before he was born, suggesting Charles was “raising concerns about unconscious bias”.

Prince Harry’s concerns over his family

Following the event, the Duke of Sussex has become more vocal over the safety of his family. For example, he and Meghan’s representatives lashed out at paparazzi after claiming a ‘near catastrophic’ car chase took place on the busy streets of New York city in 2023.

Harry also opened up over his fears Meghan would follow the same fate as his mother Princess Diana while sitting down with Oprah in 2021.

The dad-of-two spent five years battling the UK government’s Home Office after his security was scaled back when he and Meghan stepped down as senior members of the royal family. He claimed he wasn’t allowed to pay for his own security, and that the protection was unfairly cut.

However, after a legal case, and two further appeals, judges have declared it was justified and lawful.

In May 2025, the duke said he was no longer going to fight the case, but declared his wife and children won’t return to the UK over their safety.

Meghan Markle turning down invitation for King Charles’ coronation was for ‘protection’

Finding Freedom co-author Omid Scobie – said to be pals with Harry and Meghan – also spoke about her absence from the historic event at the time.

Omid said: “People around the Sussexes guided press at the time that this is very much about Archie’s fourth birthday. I disagree with that to some extent because I also know from friends of hers that she’s protecting her peace as well.

“She is aware of how much the spotlight goes on her when she sets even a foot near the story.

“I think a lot of that is often portrayed as intentional or that she wants to steal the spotlight. But in this case should she have simply come over and stood next to her husband I would imagine the narrative or commentary on the day would be very different.”

In his book Endgame: Inside the Royal Family and the Monarchy’s Fight for Survival, Omid went into more detail on why Meghan Markle didn’t attend King Charles’ coronation.

He claimed the duchess “never wants to set food again in England,” and therefore wouldn’t have accepted the invite anyway. He added she refused to “dive back into the soap opera” after starting a new life with her family in Montecito.

Prince Harry attended father’s coronation alone

Former royal butler Grant Harrold, who previously worked for the King, said it was an “important move” for Harry to attend alone.

Speaking on new talk-show series Red or Black from Lord Ping, Grant said at the time: “Harry attending on his own is a good move and I think it’s sensible. I think the majority of people will be glad he’s going to attend – if he does turn up that is.

“I think Meghan wants to stay there [California] and I think also, with everything that has gone on in the last couple of years, it’s an advisable thing. I’m sure it’s her own decision to do that and it’s sensible. It’ll give [Harry, William and Charles], for this celebration, the coronation, two brothers and their father, the chance to be together, I think it’s an important move.”