Meghan Markle.Photo: BACKGRID
Meghan Marklewas spotted on a hike in California amid the coronation weekend.
The Duchess of Sussex, 41, joined friends Markus Anderson and Heather Dorak for some time outdoors near her home in Montecito. She wore a hat and sunglasses for the outing, tying a jacket around her waist.
Prince Harrywas in the U.K. on Saturday for his father King Charles' coronation without Meghan, who stayed back in California with their two children. The couple relocated to Meghan’s home state after stepping back from their royal roles in 2020. Buckingham Palaceannounced in Aprilthat Harry, 38, would attend the crowning ceremony while Meghan would not.
The Duke of Sussexdidn’t appear to have any interactionwith father King Charles, 74, or brother Prince William, 40, during the service. Prince Harry entered Westminster Abbey chatting with his cousins,Princess BeatriceandPrincess Eugenie, and their husbands then sat in the third row betweenPrincess Eugenie’s husband, Jack Brooksbank, and Princess Alexandra.
Prince Harry.Andrew Matthews - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Prince Harrywas not invited to the balcony appearance at Buckingham Palace that followed the ceremony.
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Prince Harry.Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Images
It was a busy weekend for Meghan, who celebratedPrince Archie’s fourth birthday on Saturday.
“It’s going to be a low-key party at home,” a source previously told PEOPLE. “They’ll have friends around them and Meghan’s mom, Doria [Ragland]. Meghan will definitely have support that weekend.”
“They are so sweet together. Archie loves Lili. He’s such a sweet boy. When she’s not around, he asks, ‘Where’s Lili?’ " the source added.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.Samir Hussein/WireImage
Meghan’s decision to stay back in California whilePrince Harryattended his father’s coronation reflects the complex feelings between the couple and the royal family.
“Things are strained,” a palace insider previously said.
Those closest to the couple know that the media backlash Meghan faced in the U.K. duringQueen Elizabeth’s funeral last year — and in the months since — played a significant role in her decision not to come.
“Meghan wants to be there to support her father-in-law, but at the same time, the scrutiny she receives outweighs the support,” a close friend said. “There’s always going to be that other side challenging their reasoning, and who wants to put themselves in that position?”
Whatever happens duringPrince Harry’s quick trip to the U.K., “he will look back on it and think it is better to come and play his part and say, ‘I saw my father crowned,’ " said a source close to the royal household. “And tell his children about it.”
source: people.com
