Meghan Markle included in King Charles's coronation programme - royal fans react
Meghan Markle might have made the decision not to fly over to London to attend King Charles's coronation.
But she is featured in the official coronation souvenir programme – much to the surprise of royal fans.
The glossy 84-page magazine, which went on sale on Monday, features a family photo taken in 2018 to mark the King's 70th birthday.
The image, which is prominently displayed, shows Charles and Camilla sat side by side, with laughing Prince George on his grandfather's lap and Princess Charlotte cuddling up to the Queen Consort.
Stood behind the King are a beaming Prince and Princess of Wales, who is holding baby Prince Louis. Stood next to William is his brother Harry, with Meghan by his side, also laughing.
The decision to include the photo divided royal fans.
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Many questioned why Meghan – and Harry – were featured at all, given their decision to step back as royals and move to Montecito. The couple's Netflix series and Harry's tell-all memoir also contributed to the debate as followers noted the huge gulf that now exists within the family as a result.
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Others spoke out in praise of the King for including both sons in the programme, noting that he is a proud father who did indeed invite both Harry and Meghan to the coronation.
"Last recent family photo to use?" one Twitter user remarked. "It's not the King's fault there are no newer family photos."
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After much speculation, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's plans for the coronation were finally revealed last week.
Buckingham Palace confirmed that the Duke of Sussex would be making the trip across the Atlantic alone, with his wife and children remaining at their home in Montecito.
The decision has prompted a wider discussion about Meghan and Harry and their role in the royal family going forward.
Royal watchers have speculated that Meghan's absence from the coronation makes it unlikely she will attend any future royal gatherings – not least because of the enormity of the historic event.
"If Meghan has decided not to travel for the coronation, it seems unlikely she will travel to attend smaller/ less significant royal events in the future,” one suggested.
Relations between Harry and Meghan and the rest of his family are certainly strained. At the weekend, it was revealed that Queen Camilla was left “hurt” by the critical comments Harry made about herin his tell-all memoir, Spare.
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