Prince Harry will attend the coronation next month of his father, King Charles III, but his wife, Meghan Markle, will remain in California with their children, a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said on Wednesday.

Charles will be crowned at London's Westminster Abbey on 6 May in a ceremony full of pomp and pageantry, with traditions dating back 1 000 years.

The day of the coronation falls on the same day as the couple's first child, Prince Archie's, fourth birthday.

A source close to the couple explains Meghan will therefore stay behind to celebrate the young royal's birthday, so too will his sister, Princess Lilibet Diana, while Harry will fly to the UK.

Harry wanted to be at the coronation ceremony to support his father at this important moment in his life, the insider said.

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