Prince Harry will skip King Charles's coronation concert, say sources

Prince Harry will fly back to California to be with Meghan and their two young children just hours after his father King Charles's coronation in London, royal sources have claimed today.

The Duke of Sussex has confirmed he will be at Westminster Abbey on May 6 without his wife and their children Archie and Lilibet.

It is now believed that Harry has told the King that he will not stay in Britain for the star-studded concert at Windsor Castle the following day - and will instead fly back to the US after the ceremony so he can be with his family and belatedly celebrate Archie's fourth birthday, which is also on May 6. 

A source told the Mirror: 'Harry said that he would be returning for the King's Coronation but it will only be a fleeting visit. Organisers have been told Harry won't be attending the concert with the rest of the Royal Family, which is a great shame as it will be such a spectacular event.'

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle walk out of St Paul's Cathedral in London on June 3, 2022

Harry, Meghan, Charles and Camilla observe the Queen's coffin in London last September

It comes after friends of the Sussexes had said Harry's visit to Britain will be a 'fairly quick trip' and that he will only be at the coronation.

Earlier this month, Buckingham Palace and a spokesman for the Sussexes confirmed Harry would attend the coronation. However, Meghan will stay home in the US with their children Archie and Lilibet following 'extensive discussions' between London and California.

It is understood the King and Prince William have had no meaningful dialogue with Harry since the Queen's funeral last September. 

Harry will play no part in next month's official procession, walking in and out as a guest. Front row seats will be reserved for working members of the Royal Family. Sources have also indicated that the Duke delayed replying to the invitation to the coronation because he was 'preoccupied' by where he would have to sit during the ceremony. 

The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment begin rehearsals for the coronation yesterday

The BBC announced last week that the Coronation Concert on May 7 will feature musical stars including Take That, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. The line-up will also include Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli, Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, singer Freya Ridings and classical-soul composer Alexis Ffrench.

The event in the grounds of Windsor Castle will be in front of a crowd of 20,000 members of the public and invited guests and broadcast across BBC television and radio stations. 

More acts are set to be announced over the coming days.

The show will also feature a performance from the Coronation Choir, which will be created with community choirs and amateur singers from across the UK. They will appear alongside the Virtual Choir which will be made up of singers from across the Commonwealth for a special performance on the night.

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Charles at Westminster Abbey in London in March 2019

The late Queen Elizabeth II, Charles, Camilla, William, Kate, Harry and Meghan attend the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey on March 9, 2020 

The centrepiece of the concert will be the Lighting Up The Nation, where locations across the UK will light up using projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations.

The concert, produced by BBC Studios Productions, will be broadcast live from the grounds of Windsor Castle on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.

MailOnline approached the Sussexes for comment.