While some royal members of the family are reportedly relieved that Meghan Markle is skipping King Charles’ upcoming coronation, one expert believes the Duchess of Sussex made the move to learn her own brand.
Royal biographer Ingrid Seward told The Mirror on Thursday that Markle’s decision to forgo the festivities means she will be able to portray herself as a “martyr” who was persecuted by the monarchy.
“Now Meghan can play the martyr if she pleases,” Seward said of the previous “Deal or No Deal” star, 41, who has been previously labeled a “skilled victim” by critics.
Seward moreover claimed Markle can have apprehensive about not being positioned prominently enough amid the proceedings — something which will have also adversely impacted her image.
“For a woman who makes an enormous fuss about which table she has in a restaurant, it will be a terrible insult to not have considered one of the highest seats on the coronation ceremony,” Seward declared.
“So as to add to this possibility, the disgrace [of] being excluded from the Buckingham Palace balcony line-up could be greater than she could bear,” the royal expert continued, saying the snub could be “embarrassing” for the Duchess.
![To add to this possibility, the disgrace [of] being excluded from the Buckingham Palace balcony line-up would be more than she could bear,](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/NYPICHPDPICT000007167067.jpg?w=935)
While Markle won’t jet to the UK for the historic event, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Prince Harry could be in attendance on the May 6 ceremony.
“I believe Meghan was the driving force in persuading Harry to attend,” Seward speculated.
“She is smarter than him and would have realized it would mean the top of their future dreams if he didn’t appear,” she added, saying a snub by the each of them could have negatively impacted future income and the potential for ever rejoining the royal family.
Markle is staying home in Montecito, California, with their children, Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie; the latter will turn 4 on the day of the king’s coronation.
Despite the choice to skip the ceremony possibly working to Markle’s advantage, Seward said it’ll be birthday boy Archie who will miss out most.
“The true loser is little Archie. How exciting it will have been to see the soldiers, carriages and horses of his grandfather’s armies,” she declared. “What a shame he was denied the chance, nevertheless hard for his parents.”
Seward’s comments come after an unnamed royal watcher told the Day by day Mail on Wednesday that some royals are “relieved” Markle has chosen to not attend.
“It will have been particularly uncomfortable for Kate,” the source stated, saying that relations between the sisters-in-law remain fractious.
“The remainder of the family will [also] be relieved that Meghan won’t be there,” they added.
Nevertheless, one other source told the Sun that Charles is saddened his daughter-in-law won’t be there to see his milestone moment,
“The king is completely satisfied that Harry, his son, who he calls his ‘darling boy,’ will likely be on the Abbey. He wanted him there,” the insider said
“It is unhappy, he may be very disillusioned that he won’t see Meghan or his grandchildren but understands the situation.”
News that Harry could be present on the coronation was announced on Wednesday, ending months of speculation as as to whether the Sussexes would attend.
“Buckingham Palace is pleased to substantiate that the Duke of Sussex will attend the coronation service at Westminster Abbey on May 6,” a spokesperson stated. “The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.”
