King Charles dumps plans to honour grandson Archie in post-coronation speech: reports

Rumoured plans for King Charles to honour the birthday of his grandson Prince Archie on the day of his coronation have reportedly been shelved.

Prince Harry and Meghan were said to be keen on their son being mentioned in the monarch's speech at a luncheon following the historic event, which also happens to be Archie's fourth birthday.

But the Duke of Sussex is now not expected to attend the gathering, with suggestions he could leave the UK as soon as the ceremony ends at Westminster Abbey.

READ MORE: Meghan won't be exiled from future royal events for skipping coronation

Harry's absence at the lunch means the King no longer will mention Archie's birthday in his speech.

The King was said to be open to making a toast to his grandson on May 6 but will reportedly not do it if Prince Harry skips the lunch.

READ MORE: How images of King Charles' coronation will be different

A source told the Mail on Sunday: "The King considered a toast to Archie. But with no member of the Sussex family now due at the lunch, it is highly unlikely he would do in their absence."

Last week, Buckingham Palace confirmed Prince Harry would attend the coronation of his father but Meghan would remain in California with their two children.

There had been suggestions the couple wanted Archie and Princess Lilibet to take part in the coronation procession on the day but the children were not believed to have been invited, due to their young ages.

US royal commentator Kristen Meinzer says Meghan's decision to remain at home with the children was "a brilliant way to split the difference".

READ MORE: Meghan busy 'planning, parenting and regrouping' during absence

"The primary benefit of attending is the optics; of looking as though they're continuing to do their best on their end – even if the royal family isn't always doing their best on their end, she told Insider.

"But I've always maintained that the Sussexes must also do what's best for their own little family and their own mental health. It sounds like that's what they'll be doing."

Meanwhile a source told Page Six Prince Harry might even leave London within an hour of the coronation finishing.

"Harry's going to make every effort to get back in time for Archie's birthday," the source said.

However, he is expected to give evidence in another phone hacking trial against the Mirror group, scheduled to begin in London on Tuesday May 9.

But Harry might not be called as a witness until later in the trial, in early or mid-June, according to a preliminary schedule of witnesses.

The duke is expected to be seated with his cousins Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice in the Abbey and not with Prince William and Catherine.

But exact seating arrangements, or even a dress code, have not yet been revealed publicly.