After what has felt like months of anticipation, the countdown to the Coronation of King Charles on 6 May is now just days away. But while the nation is busy stocking up on bubbles and pinning up the bunting, behind-the-scenes at the Palace tension has been growing as the momentous occasion approaches – and it’s all down to the shock RSVP from Prince Harry.

Earlier this month, despite missing the deadline by four days, Buckingham Palace and a spokesperson for the Sussexes confirmed that Harry, 38, will attend, while wife Meghan Markle, 41, and their children – Archie, who will turn four on the same day, and one-year-old Lilibet – will remain at their Californian mansion.

ALLEGATIONS

However, while Prince William is reportedly still simmering with anger over the allegations made by his younger brother throughout his December Netflix documentary and his memoir, Spare, launched in January, a source reveals that Kate Middleton, 41, is “cautiously excited and optimistic” that this could be the family reunion with Harry she’s been hoping for.

An insider says, “Kate’s not going to let this chance slip through her fingers and will welcome Harry with open arms. She’s hoping to play peacemaker – despite all that’s happened, she still has a real soft spot for Harry and is cautiously excited and optimistic that this is a form of fate that will bring him back to the UK by himself.

“Kate’s been telling William that life’s too short and they need to take this opportunity with both hands, because it may well be the last chance they get for years to see Harry one-on-one, and without Meghan there to sway his feelings.

NIGHTMARE

“Her plan is to invite him over for supper with William and the children and to keep the atmosphere relaxed and let things organically flow from there. She and Charles are both desperate for the brothers to somehow work their way through this. Harry has made some very poor choices and has effectively trashed his family, but Kate will tell him that it’s not too late to leave that nightmare behind, put the past few years behind them and make a fresh start.”

Referring to William, 40, as his “arch nemesis” in his bombshell book, Harry confirmed that he and his older brother, the “Heir” to his “Spare”, have always had a competitive relationship.

But while Harry and William’s fights have been made painfully public, it was Harry’s attack on Kate – who he referred to as “howling” at the Nazi uniform he wore to a fancy dress party in his teens, and “grimacing” at Meghan when she asked to borrow her lip gloss – that shocked royal fans the most.

The pair had been incredibly close for over a decade ahead of his departure from the UK in January 2020, and Harry has described his sister-in-law as “the sister I never had”.

His best man speech at their wedding is also said to have moved Kate to tears when he reportedly described her relationship with William as an “inspiration” to him, and royal biographers have since confirmed that the siblings-in-law shared a sense of humour.

But while Kate is said to have been “outraged and upset” by Harry’s allegations, the source says she’s willing to move past the animosity for the good of their family, and is encouraging William to do the same.

The source says, “William is going to take a lot of persuading to have anything to do with Harry. He’s still very angry and scarred by everything that’s happened and he thinks his brother is still behaving like an arrogant wretch.

TRASHING

“To cash in on trashing the royals and then having the audacity to attack individual members of the monarchy, including Kate, is just beyond the pale as far as he sees it. He’s committed to being civil if they cross paths but, at this stage, that’s about it

“Kate is still chipping away and imploring William to find it in his heart to give Harry one last chance. She knows William still loves his little brother and Kate is taking advantage of this and asking William to hear him out.”

Meanwhile, while those close to Meghan have said she will be busy with a quiet celebration at the couple’s £12.8 million home for Prince Archie’s fourth birthday, the insider says the estranged Duchess will be showing her support for Harry from afar – by planning a surprise to overshadow the royals.