King Charles III may have given Prince Harry and Meghan Markle the boot from Frogmore Cottage, but he could have an offer the couple won’t refuse.
The monarch could give the Duke and Duchess of Sussex the keys to an apartment in Buckingham Palace as their U.K. residence when they visit, the Independent reported. According to the outlet, the suite of rooms that the king may offer to the couple previously belonged to Prince Andrew.
Christopher Andersen, author of “The King,” told Fox News Digital that it is likely Charles, 74, would offer an olive branch to his son leading up to the coronation. The king will be crowned on May 6 at London’s Westminster Abbey.
According to reports, King Charles III will offer an apartment to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Buckingham Palace. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)
“There’s been a bit of blowback over the king’s decision to evict the Sussexes from Frogmore Cottage, and the last thing Charles wants is to look like a heartless landlord,” Andersen explained. “The king also needs to throw Harry a lifeline – a place where he can bring his family – and feel safe if, at the last minute, the Sussexes decide to show up for the coronation.”
“It remains to be seen whether this will be enough to coax Harry and Meghan back to London for the big day,” Andersen noted. “Given all the flak they’ve been getting on both sides of the pond, it’s just as likely the Sussexes will opt to shelter in place.”
A spokesperson for the couple confirmed on Sunday that Harry “recently received email correspondence from His Majesty’s office regarding the coronation.”
A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, right, confirmed that Prince Harry received correspondence about King Charles’ coronation in May. It is unclear whether the couple will attend. (Getty Images)
“An immediate decision on whether The Duke and Duchess will attend will not be disclosed by us at this time,” the spokesperson added.
Buckingham Palace did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Royal expert Shannon Felton Spence told Fox News Digital that the king needs to create a home base for the Sussexes whenever they choose to visit. The goal, she said, is for the king to see his two young grandchildren.
Frogmore Cottage was meant to be a home base for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. (Getty Images)
“It’s unrealistic to think that the king was ever going to make them book a hotel or an Airbnb,” said Felton Spence. “Realistically, he wants to see his grandchildren. When they come to visit it will most likely only ever be for big royal family events… Do I think it’s so he can monitor them? No. Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms. This is an economical decision.”
“[But] no one likes living at Buckingham Palace,” she noted. “They all want to be in Windsor. It’s less fish bowly and less opulent (though it is plenty opulent). Buckingham Palace is not a family home. It’s an office. The king doesn’t have to worry about Buckingham Palace just sitting empty as he does with other properties. Buckingham Palace is always going to be maintained, it’s always going to have staff. It’s a very economical choice to say, ‘Hey when you visit, you can stay here.’”
“Buckingham Palace comes with its own set of rules, in a way that Frogmore Cottage or anything else would not,” Felton Spence shared. “It’s not to keep an eye on them as much as it just is to keep them close.”