Meghan Markle Makes Surprise Appearance in King Charles’s Coronation Program

Published May 5, 2023

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5:50pm

Just because Meghan Markle isn’t traveling to London for King Charles’s coronation doesn’t mean she’ll be totally excluded.

At this weekend's coronation ceremony, we can expect everyone from Jill Biden to King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain to be in attendance. And while Prince Harry will be traveling alone to watch the crowning, it seems that his other half still got a shout-out.

Last month, the royal family debuted the official coronation souvenir program, which includes 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 isn’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 is extending an olive branch to Markle even though she can’t attend?)

Last month, 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 will attend the crowning ceremony on May 6 without his wife and two kids. (FYI, it’s the same day as Archie’s fourth birthday.) At the ceremony, Prince Harry will likely not be seated with the senior members of the royal family. And although the coronation festivities will last for three days, Prince Harry isn’t expected to attend any other events.

Let the countdown begin.

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Greta Heggeness

Senior Editor

Greta Heggeness is a California-based editor at PureWow and has been writing about entertainment since 2015. She covers everything from awards shows to exclusive celebrity...

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Meghan Markle Makes Surprise Appearance in King Charles’s Coronation Program

Shop Meghan Markle-Inspired Fashion:

Birdies The Starling Flat

Everlane The Japanese GoWeave Essential Jumpsuit

Senior Editor

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