Mr Sacerdoti said: “He’s talked about how being in the Royal Family as a working royal was challenging to him and affected him mentally, speaking frequently about his mental illness and how he feels it was caused or at least worsened by his role an the public attention he attracted.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they were stepping back from their roles as senior working royals in January 2020, later citing issues with brutal press coverage, their personal security, and Meghan’s own mental health struggles as reasons for breaking away.
Mr Sacerdoti continued: “So it may be that his family do everything they can to protect him from all that as much as possible, by keeping his presence at the Coronation relatively low key. Obviously, there will still be massive public attention focused on him, though.”
Many royal commentators and experts have speculated in recent weeks as to what Harry’s role in the Coronation will be.
While some suspect he will play a part in the processions to and from Westminster Abbey in the historic ceremony, similar to his position during the processions for the late Queen’s State Funeral in September, others have suggested the Duke will be “treated like a guest” and play no official role in proceedings.
Prince Harry confirmed last month that he would be attending the King’s Coronation, while Meghan Markle, 41, will remain at home in California with the couple’s two children, Prince Archie, who is turning four on the same day as the historic ceremony, and Princess Lilibet, aged one.
Mr Sacerdoti told the Express: “I think it was inevitable that Harry would come to the Coronation. It would have been wrong for him not to be invited as the son of the King, and wrong of him not to be there.”
He added: “There have been reports he will leave within hours of the end of the ceremony so he can return to America and celebrate his son’s birthday. That, too, seemed predictable, and may be the best option for him.”
Meghan is reportedly planning a “low-key” and “intimate” birthday party for her son Archie, who will be celebrating his fourth birthday on Saturday.
The mum-of-two is reportedly looking to host a small gathering at the couple’s mansion in Montecito, complete with a seven acre garden featuring a playground for the children to enjoy.
According to sources, the Duchess will celebrate her son’s birthday surrounded by a small selection of friends and family, including her mum, Doria Ragland, 66.
Harry himself is expected to rush back to the States just hours after the Coronation ceremony to celebrate belatedly with his son and his own family, and it has been reported that the Duke will be skipping the post-Coronation lunch and the concert at Windsor Castle on May 7.
Of the birthday celebrations, Mr Sacerdoti said: “We don’t now how much attention he and Meghan will seek for the birthday celebrations, and it would be a shame if they try to compete in some way with the Coronation.”