Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly missed the deadline to announce their attendance at the coronation.

They were supposed to confirm on April 3 whether they would attend, but their decision did not come to light until earlier this week. The Duke of Sussex will attend his father's coronation on May 6, while the Duchess will remain at home in California with her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

There are many possible reasons for this delay, which has not been common in recent years, including that she wanted to ensure that the children would be welcomed safely and that it would coincide with Archie's fourth birthday.

One royal commentator, however, thinks that the Sussexes were deliberately waiting for a reply. I am not an insider, but let me say from the outset that I do not particularly agree with that view.

"They were playing games, of course. It's about power," says historian Tessa Dunlop, OK!"

"It's a power game.

"They think they are above the rules.

"With the potential allure of the coronation, they're eye candy and a global brand, so they had to put up with it."

One source, however, takes a different view.

One person speaking to The Telegraph said Harry's decision to come to the coronation was "to show up, show support, and be there for his father; it was a very personal decision, not for PR."

For one friend, the move could even be the beginning of a reconciliation between Prince Harry and King Charles. 'Things are definitely moving in the right direction. Hopefully, the worst is over," the source said.

Meanwhile, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told The Sun that Harry "has no choice but to attend."

As we all know, relations between the Sussexes and the royal family as a whole have deteriorated significantly since they left the UK in early 2020. The coronation, if they accept it, may help bridge the gap. Something about time, healing, and hurt.