King Charles made Meghan Markle the “star of the show” in a surprising move ahead of the Coronation, a body language expert has claimed. A photograph of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle alongside senior members of the Royal Family has been included in the official Coronation programme, despite the couple stepping back from royal life. The picture shows the Sussexes alongside Charles, Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, George, Charlotte and Louis. Body language expert Judi James told The Mirror Meghan is the “stand-out star” while the Princess of Wales looks “downgraded.
The full-page picture features in the official Coronation programme published on Monday.
The portrait shows happier times for the family unity taken in the gardens of Clarence House to celebrate Charles’ 70th birthday.
Ms James said the picture shows a “fond, loving and closely-bonded family” which doesn’t reflect the current relationship between the King, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who stepped down as senior royals in March 2020.
Ms James said: “Kate has received a body language downgrade here. Standing to the side of the pose and looking outward, she appears stripped of her current status as the stand-out star of the Firm.
“It’s Meghan who catches the eye here, bending forward and laughing in delight as she shares the happy moment with Camilla and Charlotte in a very active and relaxed-looking way.
“Her pose here suggests warmth and a desire to get involved as part of the family.”
Ms James said the King could be trying to seep “all the splits, rifts and bitterness under the carpet” ahead of the Coronation with the “hint” to the Sussexes that “life wasn’t so bad for them here”.
It comes after Buckingham Palace confirmed Prince Harry would be attending the Coronation while Meghan remains at their home in the US with their children, Archie and Lilibet.
Announcing Harry’s attendance, Buckingham Palace said: “Buckingham Palace is pleased to confirm that the Duke of Sussex will attend the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey on 6th May.
“The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.”
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Meghan is said to be remaining in the US for a number of reasons, one being to celebrate Archie’s fourth birthday, which falls on the same day as the Coronation.
Meghan reporedtly wants to try and rebuild her relationship with senior members of the Royal Family and end the bitter feud.
Page Six quotes a source close to Meghan saying she “wants her children to know their grandfather” and build a relationship due to her estranged relationship with her own father, Thomas Markle.
The source said Meghan wants to meet with King Charles but “doesn’t want a song and dance and everything being lived out in the public eye”, which could indicate why she is not attending the Coronation.
Charles is said to be “disappointed” he won’t see Meghan or his grandchildren at the Coronation but “happy” he will see Prince Harry.
A source said: “The King is happy that Harry, his son, who he calls his ‘darling boy’ will be at the Abbey.
“He wanted him there. It is sad, he is very disappointed that he won’t see Meghan or his grandchildren but understands the situation.”
The King and Meghan were reportedly very close, with Charles even walking the Duchess of Sussex down the aisle in the absence of her own father