Prince Harry's decision to head home straight after King Charles' coronation shows he is both a 'loving father and loyal son,' royal commentator says

• Prince Harry spent 28 hours in the UK for King Charles' coronation before returning to the US.
• Some British tabloids speculated that Harry's decision to leave so quickly was a snub to the royals.

Prince Harry was in the UK for a good time, not a long time.

Roughly 28 hours after touching down in London for King Charles' coronation on Saturday, Prince Harry returned to the US for a reunion with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their two children.

Sky News reported that the Duke of Sussex, who was not photographed interacting with senior members of the royal family at the coronation, made it back home to Montecito, California, on Saturday evening for the last few hours of Prince Archie's 4th birthday, also on May 6.

Given Harry's strained relationship with the British tabloids, it's not surprising that in the days since Harry's UK visit, some publications have published pieces focusing on the brevity of his stay and quotes from commentators interpreting his decision to leave straight after the coronation as somewhat of a snub to the royals.

For example, the Daily Mail published an article saying that Harry's coronation appearance was "a blink or you'll miss it moment." Meanwhile, the Daily Express shared an article speculating that the prince spent a "very sad" 28 hours in the UK before returning to the US.

However, the royal commentator Kristen Meinzer told Insider that, if anything, Harry's brief appearance at the coronation reflected how much he wanted to be present for the most important individuals in his life, both in the UK and the US.

"I don't see anything scandalous about Harry flying in for his father's big event, and then heading back home to be with his family for his son's 4th birthday," Meinzer said. "This is something all of us do: split our time between our given family and our chosen family. "

For Meinzer, the Duke of Sussex's short stint in the UK indicates that he wants to be a good father to his son and a good son to his father.

"Anyone who's reading more into this should ask themselves: Did Harry snub his duties? Did he betray anyone? No, he did neither. He found a way to be both a loving father and loyal son," she said.

Insider previously spoke to her and several other royal commentators about Meghan Markle's decision to skip the coronation. At the time, most viewed it as a smart strategy in an "impossible" situation.

Regarding the Sussexes' decision to split up the tasks of the coronation and Archie's birthday, Meinzer told Insider it showed how well they worked together as partners.

"The decision for Harry to go and for Meghan to stay home with the children on Archie's birthday is a brilliant way to split the difference," Meinzer said. "I've always maintained that the Sussexes must also do what's best for their own little family and their own mental health."

Meanwhile, the royal historian Marlene Koenig said Harry's decision to go to the coronation, despite the fractured relationship he has with his father, was proof he was aware of how important it was for him to be there for Charles on what was likely the most important day of his life.

"This is not the time for reconciliation. This is about Charles. This is his day," she said of the coronation. Koenig added that it was far more important Harry attended the royal event than Meghan.

"He's recognized that it's important for him to be there for his father," she said.

Representatives for Buckingham Palace and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex did not immediately respond to request for comment from Insider.