Meghan Markle's Friend Reveals the Real Reason She's Skipping the Coronation

Don't go, and the haters will say she's snubbing the king. Do, and they'd no doubt speculate that she's only there to steal the limelight.

So, it was no surprise when the announcement came from Buckingham Palace to say that Meghan would be staying in California while Harry attends the coronation, that rumours started to circulate as to why.

Now, it could be as simple as the date of the celebrations in London corresponding with Prince Archie's birthday. It's quite plausible that Harry would attend under a sense of duty, with Meghan staying home for the little one's birthday celebrations.

But a friend of Meghan's has anonymously disclosed to People that the real reason the Duchess won't be at the coronation is that things have 'become so personal'.

'Meghan wants to be there to support her father-in-law,' the source said, 'but at the same time, the scrutiny she receives outweighs the support.' Adding, as expected, 'There's always going to be that other side challenging their reasoning, and who wants to put themselves in that position?'

Referring to the couple's decision to step back from royal life and move to the US – and their chosen media coverage – the unnamed friend said, 'Maybe what they wanted wasn't achieved, but at the end of the day, he's going there to support his dad'.

Prince Harry was accompanied by his wife when he flew to England in September last year for the funeral of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II. And the source told People, 'Those closest to the couple know that the media backlash Meghan faced in the U.K. during Queen Elizabeth's funeral last year — and in the seven months since — played a significant role in her decision not to come.'

It must all be a far cry from what Meghan expected when she agreed to marry a prince. No doubt she expected to live in London and spend her time jetting around the world on royal visits or attending ceremonial events.

Instead, she's returned home and it's Harry's life that has been flipped on its head. And yet the media attention the couple get – much of which Harry sees as similar to the way his mother was hounded by the press – seems certain to follow them wherever they go.

Of course, Harry's photo is bound to appear in newspapers and online on May 6th and for days afterwards. But don't be too surprised if we're also 'treated' to images of what Meghan was up to while her father-in-law was being crowned king.

Source: People.