Meghan Markle Made a Surprise Appearance in King Charles’s Coronation Program (and You Probably Missed It)

An olive branch from the king perhaps?

By Greta Heggeness

Published Oct 20, 2023

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2:08pm

Ben Birchall/WPA Pool/Getty Images

Just because Meghan Markle didn’t travel to London for King Charles’s coronation doesn’t mean she was totally excluded.

At the king's May coronation ceremony, everyone from Jill Biden to King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain was in attendance. And while Prince Harry traveled alone to watch the crowning, it seems that his other half still got a shout-out (that you probably missed).

Prior to the festivities, the royal family debuted the official coronation souvenir program, which included 84 pages detailing the upcoming event.

Ben Birchall/WPA Pool/Getty Images

As Hello! magazine points out, Markle was included in the booklet even though she wasn’t attending the coronation. Her appearance came in the form of a family photo that was taken in honor of King Charles’s 70th birthday in 2018.

The pic features the monarch and his wife, Camilla Parker Bowles (75), sitting on a bench with two of their grandchildren, Prince George (9) and Princess Charlotte (7). Prince Harry (38) and Markle (41) are standing behind them, along with Prince William (40), Kate Middleton (41) and Prince Louis (4).

Chris Jackson, a frequent royal photographer, snapped the family pic. And because it was taken years back, it does not include either of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's children, Prince Archie, 3, or Princess Lilibet, 1.

Many fans were surprised that the royal family chose this photo because they didn’t expect Markle to be included. (Perhaps King Charles was extending an olive branch to Markle even though she couldn’t attend?)

Earlier this year, a spokesperson confirmed (per The Sunday Times) that Prince Harry and Markle had received an invitation to the event via email.

The palace later confirmed that the Duke of Sussex would attend the crowning ceremony on May 6 without his wife and two kids. (FYI, it was the same day as Archie’s fourth birthday.) At the ceremony, Prince Harry was not seated with the senior members of the royal family. By being seated with his cousins, this clearly acted as a marker of Harry's diminished role within the family. However, it is important to note that Prince Harry has always had a close relationship with Princess Eugenie. And although the coronation festivities lasted for three days, Prince Harry didn't attend any other events (like the family balcony appearance).

A surprise indeed.

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Greta Heggeness

Senior Editor, News and Entertainment

Writes and edits news and entertainment content
Specializes in breaking celebrity news, royal family coverage and TV show and movie recommendations
Has 9 years experience in entertainment coverage

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