Alexander Larman

Harry and Meghan’s coronation guessing game isn’t fair on the King

(Credit: Getty images)

Will they or won’t they? I’m talking, of course, about whether or not Harry and Meghan will attend the King’s coronation in May. A statement from the couple suggests that, despite reports to the contrary, the couple have been invited: ‘I can confirm the Duke has recently received email correspondence from His Majesty’s office regarding the coronation,’ a spokesperson for the couple said. But it seems the Sussexes will be keeping Charles III on tenterhooks for now: ‘An immediate decision on whether the Duke and Duchess will attend will not be disclosed by us at this time,’ the spokesman added.

Britain has not been in such a state of apprehension for some time. In 1777, the resolution of Samuel Richardson’s novel Pamela – will the virtuous maiden Pamela Andrews retain her virtue and marry the wicked landowner Lord B? – was so keenly anticipated that, when Pamela triumphed, church bells across the country rang out.

There is something else that is troubling about this story: the odd inconsistency in Buckingham Palace’s messaging

Much the same situation is now upon us today, when it comes to the RSVP from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. It is all anyone can talk about: from the betting shops to the bookshops, from members’ clubs to nightclubs, the sole topic of conversation is: ‘will Harry and Meghan be there?’ I exaggerate, of course. But judging by the constant stream of stories about Harry and Meghan that continue to pop up in the press, it seems as if the duo intend to keep their family – and, by extension, the rest of the world – guessing as to their intentions. Is this really fair on Charles III as he prepares for the biggest day of his life?

It’s hard to avoid the conclusion that Harry and Meghan might be enjoying the power over the Royal Family that their ‘will they, won’t they’ activities are offering.

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