Did Harry, William attend King Charles' coronation? Royal children's roles, unpacked

The coronation of King Charles III may be a crowning moment for the monarch, but the ceremony is a family affair through and through.

The king’s royally blended family joined as many as 2,800 guests for his coronation on May 6 at Westminster Abbey. Charles’ sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, and William's wife Princess Kate and their children, shared the royal spotlight with the king for the historic occasion.

Charles' family life is, to put it mildly, complicated. There’s his controversial second marriage to Queen Consort Camilla, the scandals of brother Prince Andrew and the public grievances of son Harry and daughter-in-law Meghan. How Charles manages his family drama during his coronation is crucial to the king’s efforts to preserve and protect the 1,000-year-old hereditary monarchy he now embodies.

Here’s everything to know about Charles' children's participation in their father's big day.

More: Everything that happened at King Charles III's coronation

Did King Charles' children, their spouses attend the coronation?

King Charles' sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, attended the coronation. Buckingham Palace and a spokesperson for Harry and his wife, Duchess Meghan, confirmed Harry's attendance to USA TODAY in April.

"(The coronation) is a crowning moment in Charles' life," royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams says. "His whole life has been preparation for it, and he would obviously appreciate having both his sons present."

William's wife and Charles' daughter-in-law, Princess Kate, also attended the ceremony. However, Meghan was not present for the coronation, as the Duchess of Sussex stayed in California with the couple's children, Prince Archie, 4, and Princess Lilibet, 1.

Rachel Bowie, co-host of "Royally Obsessed," a Gallery Media Group podcast, says while there are "many factors that likely went into" Meghan’s decision to not attend, being present for Archie's 4th birthday (which falls on coronation day) and avoiding media scrutiny were probably top considerations.

"The royals can choose the coronation date, but Archie can't choose his birthday," Bowie says. "From the parent perspective, which Meghan makes very clear that’s one of her key roles and the thing that she values most … that’s something that she likely doesn’t want to miss.

"There’s an element of self-preservation too," Bowie adds. "Just seeing the vitriol from the British tabloids that has been expended or directed her way – whether she's going, whether she's not going – so it's a move that protects her mental health as well."

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What roles did King Charles' children have in coronation?

The Prince of Wales, first in line to the British throne, swore his loyalty to Charles in a ceremony known as "The Homage of Royal Blood."

William kneeled before his father, placing his hands in between Charles' hands as he said, "I, William, Prince of Wales, pledge my loyalty to you and faith and truth I will bear unto you, as your liege man of life and limb. So help me God."

Prince Harry attended, sitting two rows behind his brother William, sister-in-law Kate and their young children. Tom Quinn, author of "Gilded Youth: A History of Growing Up in the Royal Family," says that, had Harry participated more in the ceremony, he could potentially have emphasized past tensions he's had with the royal family since he and Meghan stepped down as working royals.

"It would draw too much attention to the difficulties that Harry has had with his wife vis-à-vis the royal family," Quinn says.

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Prince Harry, Duchess Meghan would've had 'huge part' in coronation if it weren’t for family drama

Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan have ruffled many feathers across the pond since they stepped down from their roles as working royals in January 2020 and moved to California in search of more independence and privacy. Bombshell revelations across several TV interviews, a Netflix docuseries and Harry’s explosive memoir "Spare" have all deepened the rift within the House of Windsor.

Fitzwilliams says the Sussexes would've had a "huge part to play in the festivities" of Charles' coronation if they hadn't walked away from royal life. "If they hadn't left, they'd be senior royals (and) they'd be on the balcony," he says.

Meghan's absence in particular is a "direct result of all the spats, all the rows, all the bad feeling that existed all those years ago at Kensington Palace and then at Frogmore," Quinn says.

"These spats in the royal family can go on for decades," Quinn says. "She is aware – and was made aware long before she left the U.K. – that she had caused so much offense, that if she came back for any reason she would be less welcome than Harry."

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Did King Charles' children appear on balcony at Buckingham Palace?

King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla were joined by other members of the royal family during an appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony once the coronation procession concluded.

The royal couple walked out together to a roar of applause, leading out their attendants and pages. Other members of the royal family, including the working royals such as Princess Anne, the Prince and Princess of Wales, their children, and cousins of the king, appeared as the rain poured down. Prince Harry and Prince Andrew were not included in the balcony moment.

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Contributing: Naledi Ushe, Maria Puente and Morgan Hines, USA TODAY; Danica Kirka, The Associated Press

Read all our King Charles coronation coverage:

Biggest moments: Charles and Camilla crowned, royal family appears on balcony

The balcony: See who greeted the crowd with Charles and Camilla (not Harry)

King Charles III formally crowned: A recap of the monarch's coronation day

Queen Camilla looks regal: She is also crowned at King Charles III coronation

Prince Harry: Royal attends but misses balcony palace moment

Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis: See the royal grandchildren on coronation day

Prince Harry and Prince William: Look back at their complicated relationship

Coronation photos: See all the best photos from the ceremony and procession

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Did Prince Harry, Prince William attend King Charles III coronation?