'Unsatisfied' Meghan refused Coronation invite after King's reply to letter

22 April 2023 , 17:01

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Oprah Winfrey interviews Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (Image: Harpo Productions/Joe Pugliese v)

Meghan Markle was reportedly unhappy with the Royal Family's response to accusations of unconscious bias within The Firm and this may have factored into her decision not to attend the coronation.

Meghan and her husband Prince Harry sent shockwaves through the royals during their 2021 interview with star TV host Oprah Winfrey.

During the interview, the couple said that one member of the Royal Family had speculated openly about what colour The Sussexes first baby, Archie, would be.

Sources told The Telegraph that Meghan is "not satisfied" with the response to the accusation and he was "raising concerns about unconscious bias".

Meghan felt she did not receive a satisfactory response to the allegation made and this is one factor in her decision not to attend the Coronation next month.

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The day of the Coronation is also her son Archie's fourth birthday, however.

The identity of the person who made the comment is contained in the letters exchanged between the King and Meghan after the interview, in which the latter is said to have thanked the King's words.

Meghan is said to believe the alleged comment made about Archie's skin colour was racist (AFP via Getty Images)

Little was said publicly in response to Meghan's claims, though Prince William said that the Royal Family is "not a racist family" during a walkabout.

There remains a rift between the Sussexes and the rest of the royals (PA)

The Oprah interview came after the Sussexes' departure from working royal life following a fallout with the rest of the family.

Meghan reportedly felt the bullying complaints she raised at the time had not been addressed and both of the Sussexes told of the toll life as working royals had taken on their mental health.

The King is reported to be the only person who made contact with the Duchess after the interview in which Oprah was told there were “concerns and conversations about how dark his [Archie’s] skin might be when he’s born”.

Oprah was told there were 'concerns and conversations about how dark his [Archie’s] skin might be when he’s born' (PA)

The Duke of Sussex will be in attendance but will play a limited role, amid reports of an attempted reconciliation with father and son.

It is currently reported Harry will be sitting with other non-working members of the royals, such as Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie and their husbands, whom he is said to have no bad blood with.

Harry is not expected to take part in either the King’s Procession or the Coronation Procession to and from Buckingham Palace, nor will he be on the Palace balcony on the landmark day.

Benjamin Lynch