The royal commentator told Express.co.uk: “Sarah Ferguson is an omission from the guestlist, but I think that’s because Charles and his advisors are aware that if she were present she would be one of the talking points afterwards.”
The Duchess of York, also known as Fergie by friends and fans, has only attended a handful of official royal events since her split from Prince Andrew in 1992, which ended in a divorce four years later.
Most recently, she was one of the thousands of people attending the funeral service of Queen Elizabeth II, her former mother-in-law.
Looking back to former major royal ceremonies, Mr Lloyd recalled how another royal partially overshadowed royal celebrations with his presence.
The author said: “I remember how the day after the Queen’s Silver Jubilee service in 1977, celebrated after Princess Margaret had split from her husband Lord Snowdon, one of the photographs in the papers was of him coming out quietly through the side door of St Paul’s Cathedral.”
The media, Mr Lloyd said, focused on the lonely appearance of Lord Snowdon and how it marked a stark contrast with the joyful event celebrating the 25th year of Elizabeth II on the throne.
He continued: “So on the Coronation day they will probably want to avoid issues like that.”
Fergie suggested she is aware that, as the former wife of Prince Andrew, she can’t take part in certain events.
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Appearing on Good Morning Britain, she said: “It’s a state occasion, and being divorced I don’t think you can have it both ways. I am divorced and I’m really loving being divorced to my ex-husband; not from him but to him, it’s important to differentiate.”
She added: “That’s a lovely feeling to be part of, it really is. As I said you can’t have it both ways. You mustn’t sit on the fence. You’re either in or out, don’t muck around.”
While she wasn’t invited to the service on May 6, Sarah has confirmed she will still be involved in the Coronation celebrations and will attend the concert at Windsor Castle on May 7.
Mr Lloyd noticed another member of the extended Royal Family that could have unwillingly stolen the spotlight from the main event had she attended was Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.
He said: “I’m sure they’re grateful that Meghan’s not there because that would be a major talking point about – what she was wearing, but also whether she looked at Kate and so on. And I think they wouldn’t want anything to overshadow the Coronation.”
The author believes the Duke of Sussex is less of a concern for organisers, as he showed during both the late Queen and Prince Philip’s funerals he can “carry out the part that he’s expected to carry out, he won’t seek any attention”.
While Prince Harry confirmed last month he is attending the historic event, a spokesperson for the Sussexes said Meghan will remain in California with her children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. On the same day King Charles is crowned at Westminster Abbey, the Duchess will likely mark the fourth birthday of her son, falling on the same day.
Ian Lloyd’s The Throne: 1,000 Years of British Coronations is published by the History Press and is available in hardcover and ebook.
