Why Meghan Markle, Prince Archie, and Princess Lilibet Are Not at ...

At today's coronation, King Charles will be surrounded by political and religious leaders, diplomats, representatives from charities with ties to Charles and Camilla, and royals both from the United Kingdom and around the world. But there are a few key members of the new monarch's family who won't be in attendance: namely his daughter-in-law Meghan, and two of his grandchildren: Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie.

In mid-April, following months of speculation about whether or not the Sussexes would travel from their home in California to attend the coronation, Buckingham Palace announced, and a representative for the Sussexes subsequently confirmed, that Prince Harry would be in attendance at the historic event, but Meghan and their two children would not. The statement read in part: "The Duke of Sussex will attend the Coronation service at Westminster Abbey on May 6th. The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet."

A friend of Harry's also told People that the Duke "wanted to be at the service to support his father at this important moment in his life."

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A specific reason why Meghan chose to stay in the U.S. alongside Archie, and Lilibet was not shared publicly by either Buckingham Palace or the Sussex's spokesperson, but it's likely that 1-year-old Lili was deemed too young for the religious service. Additionally, today marks Archie's birthday. Per Harper's Bazaar, "Archie's fourth birthday, which is the same day as the coronation, has influenced Meghan's decision to stay behind. And while Harry is expected to attend the coronation ceremony, he will not attend other related engagements over the weekend."Town & Country also understands that Harry's trip to the UK to be less than 48 hours long, and he is hoping to be back in the U.S. for the last few hours of his son Archie's birthday.

Last summer, all four Sussexes traveled to the UK for Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee celebration—and more recently, Harry and Meghan were in London sans children for the Queen's funeral last fall.

"In celebrating the life of my grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen—and in mourning her loss—we are all reminded of the guiding compass she was to so many in her commitment to service and duty. She was globally admired and respected," Prince Harry said in a statement at the time about his late grandmother. "Her unwavering grace and dignity remained true throughout her life and now her everlasting legacy. Let us echo the words she spoke after the passing of her husband, Prince Philip, words which can bring comfort to all of us now: 'Life, of course, consists of final partings as well as first meetings.'"

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As the digital director for Town & Country, Caroline Hallemann covers culture, entertainment, and a range of other subjects