The official souvenir programme for the Coronation of King Charles features a happy family photo that sees the King with his son Prince Harry and daughter-in-law Meghan Markle – this is despite the fact that Meghan has declined the invitation to the historic event.
Among the photos printed in the programme, which went on sale on Monday 17 April is one of the royal family celebrating Charles, then the Prince Of Wales's 70th birthday back in 2018.
The photo saw the now-King sat with his wife Camilla, and surrounded by his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, and his daughter-in-laws Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle.
Also featured in the family snap were Kate and William's children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
The publication of the souvenir programme comes just days after it was confirmed that the Duke of Sussex will be in attendance at his father's coronation, however, the Duchess will remain at home in California.
Buckingham Palace shared a brief statement confirming the news on Wednesday 12 April, which read: “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.”
Following the news, royal expert Omid Scobie, author of Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of A Modern Royal Family, suggested that Meghan could have stayed behind due to the event coinciding with their son Prince Archie’s fourth birthday, which is also on May 6.
“I understand that Archie's fourth birthday (also on May 6) played a factor in the couple's decision,” he wrote on Twitter.
Continuing his post, Omid further argued: “Expect it to be a fairly quick trip to the UK for Prince Harry, who will only be attending the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey.”
The Sussexes were previously said to have sent coronation planning into "chaos" after they missed the appointed dealing for RSVPs.
Those who received invitations to the historic event were asked to RSVP by Monday 3 April, however, organisers were reported to have still been waiting for confirmation three days after this deadline.
Following the passing of the deadline, a royal insider told MailOnline that those planning the historic event are "none the wiser" over Harry and Meghan's attendance.
The source told the outlet: "Everything is still up in the air and there's only a month to go. All people have been told is that 'it should hopefully be resolved soon.
"But in the meantime the teams are trying to finalise plans for 2,000 guests, many of whom are international heads of state and VIPs. It's a headache."
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