The politics of the royal balcony - an apparent sticking point in Harry and Meghan attending the coronation

Buckingham Palace balcony appearances are tailored to each occasion but will Harry and Meghan get to stand for King Charles’ coronation?
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Oh Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? While Shakespeare created an iconic balcony in his 1595 romantic tragedy, another balcony is taking centre stage over the next few months as the Royal Family prepares for King Charles’ coronation.

The Buckingham Palace balcony has been home to some historic moments in British history from Royal weddings and Jubilee celebrations to Prince George covering his ears during last year’s Trooping of the Colour.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

However, to be a part of the iconic moments one has to not only match the balcony’s strict requirements but also be added to the invite list, as per the tradition that was started by Queen Victoria in 1851.

There is no fixed list for who stands on the balcony with the attendees changing for every event, except for the monarch and their spouse in addition to the first and second in line to the throne with their significant others, who are always required.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly asked to be featured on the balcony (Pic:Getty)Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly asked to be featured on the balcony (Pic:Getty)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly asked to be featured on the balcony (Pic:Getty)

While the UK excitedly waits to see the family waving from the balcony this coming May amid the King’s Coronation, the Buckingham Palace tradition may be even more of a focal point than usual as the family debates whether Prince Harry and Meghan will appear.

The Sussex's RSVP has been in hot contention for a few weeks now as the media initially debated whether the couple who stood down from their roles three years ago and moved to Montecito before revealing their Netflix documentary and Harry’s memoir Spare would be invited.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Amid the Royals' turbulent relationship, sources revealed that Prince Harry and Meghan had received an invitation to Harry’s father’s big day on 6 May 2023, which seemingly falls on Archie’s birthday, the next query was whether they would accept.

The couple have reportedly suggested that they would attend if some alleged demands are met including their names being added to the balcony’s invitation list.

With this being a crucial sticking point for Harry and Meghan to attend the coronation, do Harry and Meghan meet the balcony’s requirements, and if so, can we expect to see them? PeopleWorld finds out.

As mentioned, you have to be someone very special to be able to stand on the Buckingham Palace balcony and wave to those standing on The Mall in front of you.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

While the ‘no ring, no bring’ rule has been around for quite some time meaning Royal’s boyfriends or girlfriends are exempt from the balcony, the late Queen Elizabeth decided last year to evoke a new rule in honour of the Platinum Jubilee in which the balcony’s invitation list ‘will be limited to Her Majesty and those Members of the Royal Family who are currently undertaking official public duties on behalf of The Queen,” meaning only working royals.

This decision would explain why Meghan and Harry, Prince Andrew and his daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie were not seen during the Trooping of the Colour appearance in May 2022.

Harry and Meghan were missing from the balcony during the Trooping of the Colour parade in May 2022 (Pic:Getty)Harry and Meghan were missing from the balcony during the Trooping of the Colour parade in May 2022 (Pic:Getty)
Harry and Meghan were missing from the balcony during the Trooping of the Colour parade in May 2022 (Pic:Getty)

Taking this into consideration, as Prince Harry and Meghan stepped back from their roles as senior working members of the Firm in March 2020 and were not invited last year, this could provide doubt as to whether their demands will be met.

In addition, fans will probably not be able to see Harry and Meghan on the balcony as they too have not been included in King Charles’ slimmed down procession plans where Kate Middleton and Prince William’s children take prominent roles.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Therefore due to the politics of the Buckingham balcony, not only will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle most likely not appear in the iconic moment but could this affect their RSVP for the entire coronation?

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.