Prince Harry held peace talks with King Charles over Coronation – but not Prince William

The Duke of Sussex held peace talks with the King ahead of confirming his plans to attend the Coronation, but he has not spoken with Prince William.

A friend of the Sussexes said there had been “positive conversations” between father and son shortly before Prince Harry’s announcement last week.

The development appears to be a significant step towards the reconciliation the Duke desires.

But no such progress has been made with his brother, who is understood to feel deeply betrayed by the many personal family revelations the Duke has made in his memoir, Spare, and in various interviews.

His disclosures included allegations that he was assaulted by the Prince of Wales, and that he had pleaded with his father not to marry his “wicked stepmother”.

The Duke did not want to miss the Coronation, which will be immensely important for the King. Sources close to the Sussexes insisted that they wanted to keep contact between the two sides private.

It is thought his trip will be a flying visit, with no plans to attend any other royal events over the bank holiday weekend.

The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with the couple’s two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, continuing a prolonged absence from public events. One of the main reasons for her absence is the desire to celebrate Prince Archie’s fourth birthday, which falls on the day of the Coronation.

It is understood the Duke spent several weeks agonising over whether to travel to London for his father’s crowning because of the deep rift that has divided the family.

“It is about showing up, showing support and being there for his father,” one source said. “It was a very personal decision, not a PR one.”

The Duke is expected to fly in for the service at Westminster Abbey and will not attend the Coronation concert or any other linked events. As a non-working member of the Royal family, he would not be invited to appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

The Sussexes’ two children were not formally invited to the Coronation as Palace aides waited to hear whether they would make the trip before factoring them into any plans.

Prince George will be a Page of Honour at the ceremony, and Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are expected to take part in the procession, meaning the monarch will only be flanked by his grandchildren from one side of the family.

Prince Harry will stay at Frogmore Cottage during the bank holiday weekend for what may be the final time after being evicted by his father in a decision by which he and Meghan were said to be disappointed.