PRINCE HARRY'S VISIT TO LONDON WAS TO 'TEST WATERS' AHEAD OF KING CHARLES'S CORONATION
Prince Harry's arrival at the High Court this week may have been intended to "test the waters" with the British public before the Duke and Duchess of Sussex decided to attend King Charles's Coronation, a royal expert has said. However, royal commentator Hilary Fordwich said she believes the Sussexes are facing a "lose-lose situation" as a result of the fallout from their Netflix series and Harry's memoir, Spare, both of which contained stinging criticism of the British royals including allegations of racism - and could even be booed.
Ms Fordwich was speaking at the end of a week in which Harry, who together with wife Meghan Markle and children Archie and Lilibet now live in California, surprisingly come to court for the start of the privacy case which he and other high-profile figures, including Sir Elton John, have brought against Associated Newspapers.
Harry spoke about his treatment by the UK media, claiming he was determined to pursue the legal claim to "hold Associated accountable, for everyone's sake".
However, Ms Fordwich suggested there might be an ulterior motive related to the royal couple's invitation to attend King Charles's Coronation - what she described as the "most important day of his father's life" on May 6.
Ms Fordwich, a Washington-based British business development consultant and a regular royal commentator on US television, told Express.co.uk: "Perhaps his appearing in London, unannounced, to attend the court case was 'testing the waters', taking one link at a time in the chain of destiny to help the couple decide."
Prince George, the second-in-line to the throne, would "break with tradition" if he was to play an active role during the Coronation of King Charles, according one expert.
They said it is not unusual to see young children attending Coronation, but it would be new to see such a young royal perform any active role during the event, set to be watched by millions of people around the world.
However, Ms Fordwich foresaw significant problems for them should they opt to come.
She explained: "The dilemma facing Harry and Meghan is that of a lose-lose situation.
"On the one hand, if they do accept their invitation the likelihood of being booed by the British public, whom they threw under the bus, is highly likely."
Ms Fordwich pointed to a Ipsos survey released in January indicating Harry is currently seen favourably by 23 percent of Britons between the ages of 18 and 75 who were interviewed on January 10 and 11, a fall of seven percent, with 53 percent seeing him in a negative light, with the figures for Meghan - 19 percent and 55 percent respectively - even worse.
Referring to remarks made by the couple during their Netflix show suggesting Britain's decision to quit the EU had influenced their decision to relocate, Ms Fordwich continued: "With their comments regarding racism in the wake of the Brexit vote (thereby insulting 17.4 million Brits) as well as the insults to the treasured royal family, recent polls have shown how disgruntled and perhaps disgusted the public is with them.
"Let alone all those insults, allegations, revelations and indiscretions made in Spare, Harry's spew-it-all memoir.
"These will no doubt also mean the couple will have a frosty, at best, reception from hard working senior royals and the extended royal family."
Nevertheless, Ms Fordwich also believes Harry and Meghan can scarcely afford not to be there for what will surely be the biggest date in the royal calendar this year.
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She said: "If they don't accept, and use the plausible 'out' of the Coronation falling on the same day as their son Prince Archie's fourth birthday, then they are losing their relevance and money making potential.
"Regarding lack of relevance Harry has always feared his limited 'shelf life' he has always known he would become irrelevant as soon as Prince George turns 18."
She added: "The likelihood he will attend the Coronation, the most important day in his father's life, is high."
Speaking to CNN on Sunday, a spokesman for Prince Harry said: "I can confirm The Duke has recently received email correspondence from His Majesty's office regarding the coronation.
"An immediate decision on whether The Duke and Duchess will attend will not be disclosed by us at this time."
In a witness statement sent to the court in advance of the case getting underway on Monday, Harry said: "If the most influential and popular newspaper in the UK can evade justice without there being a trial of my claims, then what does that say about the industry as a whole and the consequences for our great country.
"I am bringing this claim because I love my country and I remain deeply concerned by the unchecked power, influence and criminality of Associated."
Express.co.uk has approached the Sussexes via Archewell for comment.