According to royal insiders, the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, was unlikely to attend the King's Coronation due to an "impossible position" she found herself in. Her husband, Prince Harry, announced his plans to attend his father's crowning, but Meghan opted to remain in California with their two children, Archie and Lilibet.

Sources involved in coronation planning shared that Prince Harry engaged in weeks of discussions with Buckingham Palace aides, expressing concerns about security and his family's reception at the May 6 event. Meghan's absence from her husband's book tour and her reported displeasure with their children's exclusion from the Coronation procession were indications that she might not attend the historic ceremony.

The couple's biographer, Omid Scobie, confirmed that Archie's fourth birthday coinciding with the ceremony "played a factor in the decision." He also anticipated a "fairly quick trip to the UK" for Prince Harry.

A royal source said, "The truth of the matter is the Duchess was never likely to attend the coronation," and added that Meghan felt increasingly put in an impossible position. There is a sense of relief now that the situation is resolved.

Another source mentioned that while some palace staffers were glad "the circus wasn't coming to town," others sympathized with Meghan, stating, "As a mother she's probably doing the right thing by her young children which should be applauded."

Prince Harry's stay in the UK will be brief, and he will only attend the ceremony, not participating in other coronation festivities during the three-day bank holiday weekend. This visit marks the first time Harry will see his family since the late Queen's funeral and his first encounter with his father and brother, Prince William, since the release of his controversial memoir, Spare.

In recent years, Harry and Meghan have criticized the royal family in interviews and a six-part Netflix series. The couple spoke with Oprah Winfrey about racist remarks made by an unnamed family member and Meghan's struggle with suicidal thoughts due to her alleged mistreatment by the institution.

Royal sources also speculated on the reception the Duke and Duchess of Sussex might receive at the event, following mixed reactions at St. Paul's Cathedral for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee service of Thanksgiving.

Buckingham Palace confirmed Harry's attendance on Wednesday, while security measures for the King's coronation will be evaluated on a "case-by-case basis." Policing minister Chris Philp expressed hope for a successful event, similar to the "fantastic" handling of the late Queen's funeral.

More than 2,000 guests will gather at the Abbey on May 6 for the nation's first coronation in 70 years. An extensive police presence will be deployed throughout central London as crowds gather to witness the King, Camilla, and the royal family participate in a grand carriage procession and make an appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony.