'IT WILL BE A VERY UNHAPPY RETURN'

ROYAL EXPERTS SAY PRINCE HARRY'S VISIT TO LONDON FOR THE CORONATION WITHOUT WIFE MEGHAN IS SET TO BE FULL OF TENSION

- REBECCA RUSSELL

From the moment King Charles' coronation date was announced, both the royal family and the nation have been waiting with bated breath for official confirmation that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will or won't be attending the historic ceremony.

But last week hopes of a full-scale family reunion were dashed after it was revealed that Meghan, 41, will stay at home in California with the couple's children, Prince Archie, three, and Princess Lilibet, one, while Harry, 38, returns to British soil alone.

As the news broke, royal author Tom Bower told OK! that Harry's solo attendance at the 6 May ceremony is an "ugly compromise", adding that he believes the duke is a "sad and injured individual" whose "financial future is tied up with Meghan". He also claimed Harry’s upcoming visit will be an “unhappy” experience for the prince, one which will prompt him to feel like “his exile is truly beginning”.

Tom even cast doubt over the likelihood that following his visit Harry will return regularly to the UK – and to his family – in the years to come.

“The question really is whether Harry will come back here again after the coronation,” says Tom. “He’s estranged from his friends, he’s estranged from his family, there is no real or pressing reason for him to come back. It’ll be a very unhappy trip for him and not only that, of course, he’ll probably stay one night at Frogmore Cottage, but that will be the last night.

“So he’ll feel, if anything, that his exile is beginning. I think he’s a sad, sad, injured individual who is lost – and has lost so much.”