Harry's Wedding: No Balcony, No Problem

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding broke with several royal traditions. One of the most notable was the absence of a balcony scene at Buckingham Palace, which has been customary for royal couples since the weddings of Queen Victoria's children. This was due to the location of their wedding – in Windsor, rather than London. However, the couple did share a kiss for the cameras in Windsor, and appeared on the balcony for Queen Elizabeth's Trooping the Colour birthday parade in 2019.

Harry and Meghan's wedding wasn't in London

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was held on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, UK. The groom is a member of the British royal family, and the bride is American.

The couple chose to do things their own way, breaking with several royal traditions. One of the most notable differences was the choice of venue. By selecting Windsor Castle as their wedding location, Harry and Meghan opted for a more intimate setting compared to traditional London venues favoured by other royal couples. This decision meant there was no balcony appearance, which is customary for royal weddings in London.

Harry and Meghan's wedding was a historic event, with an estimated 1.9 billion people tuning in worldwide. The day included a traditional ceremony, a luncheon reception hosted by the Queen, and a private evening affair. The couple exchanged vows in a standard Anglican church service, officiated by Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.

The wedding also incorporated elements of African-American culture, with a notable address by American Bishop Michael Bruce Curry, who quoted Martin Luther King Jr. in his speech. The event was a significant departure from traditional royal weddings, reflecting the couple's unique style and personality.

Harry stepped back from senior royal duties in 2020

In 2020, Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, stepped back from their senior royal duties and moved away from the UK to North America. The couple released a statement in January 2020, announcing their intention to "step back as 'senior' members of the Royal Family" and become financially independent. They also stated their plan to balance their time between the UK and North America while continuing to honour and support the Queen, the Commonwealth, and their patronages. This decision caused a rift within the Royal Family, as it was done without consulting other royals, including the Queen and Prince William.

The couple's decision to step back came after months of reflection and internal discussions, during which they had taken a break from royal duties and spent time in Canada with their son Archie. They had also faced struggles under the intense media spotlight, with Meghan admitting that becoming a mother amid intense media scrutiny had been a "struggle". Additionally, Harry had expressed his desire to protect his wife from the powerful forces that had contributed to his mother's death.

In February 2021, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would not be returning as working members of the Royal Family. This marked the couple's official resignation from their royal duties. Despite stepping back, Harry and Meghan continued to have a positive relationship with the King, who wanted Harry to attend his coronation in 2023. However, Harry's relationship with other members of the Royal Family, such as his brother William, became strained, as evident in their interactions during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

Harry isn't a working royal

Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, stepped down from their duties as senior royals in 2020 and have been at odds with the royal family ever since. They have since moved to the United States, where they have built a life away from the royal family. They have new friends, own their own home, and have taken on different business ventures. Their children, Archie and Lilibet, have also spent their whole lives in the American school system.

Harry is no longer considered a working royal. Working royals are paid through The Sovereign Grant, which is funded by 25% of the profits from The Crown Estate. This money is used for official royal expenses like security and staff. However, Harry has access to taxpayer-funded money, as do other working royals.

Harry's life in California has been described as "very boring," and he has been said to "miss being a working royal." He is reportedly considering taking more frequent trips back to the United Kingdom as his father, King Charles, undergoes treatment for cancer. However, it is unlikely that Harry will return to the royal family as a working royal, as there is too much bad blood between them now.

Harry's trip to the UK was brief

Harry's absence from the balcony was in keeping with royal expert Nick Bullen's prediction that only working royals would be included in the procession and balcony appearance. This was also the case during Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022, when Harry and Meghan watched the Trooping the Colour procession from the Major General's Office.

Harry's brief trip to the UK was motivated by his desire to support his father at the coronation, as well as his wish to minimise the amount of time he spent in London. He rushed back to the United States to celebrate his son Archie's 4th birthday, which fell on the same day as the coronation.

Harry's wife, Meghan Markle, did not accompany him to the UK for the coronation. She stayed in California with their children, Archie and Lilibet. The Duchess of Sussex was grateful to be included in the special occasion but was always going to prioritise her role as a mother over her attendance at the coronation.

Harry's wife, Meghan, didn't attend the coronation

The absence of Prince Harry from the Buckingham Palace balcony during King Charles III's coronation sparked curiosity, with many wondering why he wasn't alongside his family. The reason for this is that only working royals were allowed to attend those specific events, and Harry stepped down from his duties as a senior royal in 2020. This decision to exclude non-working royals also applied to Harry's wife, Meghan, who did not attend the coronation.

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, remained in California with their children, Archie and Lilibet, while Harry flew solo to the United Kingdom for the coronation. The decision for Meghan to stay back was influenced by Archie's birthday, which coincided with the coronation date. A source close to the couple shared that Meghan, despite her appreciation for the coronation invite, wouldn't miss her son's birthday celebration.

The choice for Meghan to skip the coronation aligned with the vision of a "'slimmed-down monarchy' that King Charles wanted to showcase. This approach also resulted in the exclusion of other non-working royals, such as Prince Andrew and his children, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, from the coveted balcony appearance.

While Harry attended the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey, he did not have an official role due to his status as a non-working royal. He was seated in the third row, and his absence from the balcony appearance further highlighted the complexities within the royal family.

The dynamics between Harry and his family have been strained, as evident in his tell-all memoir, "Spare," where he shared intimate details about his relationship with his brother, Prince William, and their disagreements. Despite the tensions, Harry's attendance at the coronation was driven by his sense of duty and love for his father.

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