A Father's SHOCKING CHOICE

King Charles III tries to mend the rift with Prince Harry, but creates a new one with Prince William in the process

It’s the question royal courtiers and the public have been asking for months: When King Charles III is formally crowned as Britain’s sovereign on May 6, will his estranged son, Prince Harry, and the Duke of Sussex’s wife, Meghan Markle, be within the hallowed halls of Westminster Abbey to witness the historic coronation? In an interview with ITV host Tom Brad by that aired on Jan. 8, Harry — who was promoting his bombshell-filled memoir, Spare, at the time — was noncommittal. “There’s a lot that can happen between now and then,” Harry teased, “but the door is always open. The ball is in their court.”

Now, with barely two months to go, the new king has made a decision. In Touch has learned that Charles — despite being hurt by the criticism and revelations Harry laid bare in Spare — is extending an olive branch to his younger son during the symbolic celebration of his new reign, much to elder son and heir Prince William’s dismay. “There are going to be fireworks at King Charles’ coronation all right. He not only has he decided to invite Harry, but he’s pushing William to the side,” spills a palace insider. “Harry and Meghan will have a major role in the ceremony at Westminster Abbey.” On top of that, Charles — whom Harry has accused of being tight with his fortune — has decided to bestow a huge gift to the Sussexes. “It may come as a shock to some, but Charles has his reasons for wanting to rebuild the bridges Harry burned. The king is choosing Harry over William for a reason.”

OUT OF THE SHADOWS