Prince Harry’s upcoming visit to the UK for his father King Charles’ coronation has caused controversy, with some accusing him of using the event to gather material for his next book. British socialite Lizzie Cundy has been particularly vocal in her criticism of Harry, claiming that he is only attending the historic ceremony to further his own interests.
Cundy, who was previously friends with Harry, told Mirror UK that he will only be in the UK “to dip his toe” in the coronation proceedings. She went on to accuse him of planning to use the event to paint himself as a victim of mistreatment by the royal family, saying that he will “say in his next interview with Meghan, how poorly treated he was by everybody and how his dad didn’t want him.”
Cundy also criticized Harry’s decision to attend the coronation despite his previous criticisms of the royal family and its traditions. She accused him of using his son Archie’s birthday as an excuse to justify Meghan’s absence from the event, saying that he is “still coming despite him trashing the royals and everything it stands for.”
Buckingham Palace confirmed last week that Harry will be attending the coronation, while his wife Meghan and their children Archie and Lilibet will stay back in the US. Harry’s visit is expected to be brief, with reports suggesting that he will only stay in the UK for a few days.
The controversy surrounding Harry’s upcoming visit comes amid ongoing tensions between him and the royal family. Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior members of the royal family in 2020, citing the intense media scrutiny and lack of support they received from the institution. Since then, the couple has been vocal in their criticisms of the royal family and its traditions, leading to strained relations between Harry and his family members.
Despite the controversy, some have defended Harry’s decision to attend the coronation. Royal commentator Victoria Arbiter told Today that Harry’s presence at the event is “an olive branch” to the royal family and an opportunity for him to “start healing some of the wounds” caused by his past comments.
It remains to be seen what impact Harry’s visit will have on his relationship with the royal family, but it is clear that his presence at the coronation will be closely watched by both supporters and critics alike.
