Archie and Lili to Spend Coronation Day with Meghan Markle in California

Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet will not be present in the U.K. for King Charles' coronation, according to Buckingham Palace's confirmation on Wednesday. The statement added that Meghan Markle, 41, will not attend the ceremony and will remain in California with their children. This decision is due to the coronation falling on Archie's 4th birthday, and the Duchess of Sussex will be spending the weekend celebrating with him and his younger sister, Princess Lilibet.

Prince Harry, on the other hand, will attend the crowning ceremony as he wants to support his father. According to a friend, the moment is an essential one in Charles' life.

During the June 2022 Platinum Jubilee celebrations of Queen Elizabeth, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet were last in the U.K. It was a significant trip for daughters Lilibet's first time visiting the country of her dad's heritage. During this trip, they visited the great-grandmother and grandfather, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles. Prince Harry and Markle named their daughter in honor of the Queen's childhood nickname, Lilibet.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex held a small birthday party for Lili during their U.K. visit, who turned 1 at the time. They invited close family and friends for a "casual, intimate backyard picnic" at their Frogmore Cottage home.

Following the news of Princess Lilibet's recent christening, which took place in California, it was confirmed by a Buckingham Palace spokesperson that the children's titles of prince and princess will be used only in formal settings and not in everyday use.

On March 1, it became public knowledge that Harry and Markle will need to vacate their Frogmore Cottage residence as King Charles has decided to move Prince Andrew to the Windsor residence.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, according to a source in this week's issue of PEOPLE, are accepting the situation and not attempting to overturn the decision.

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The source adds that Harry and Meghan are happy to raise their two children in California, but noted that the eviction decision was 'unfortunate' — especially in terms of security. Frogmore Cottage in Windsor had been a haven for the pair and their children when they visited the U.K.