Approximately 2,200 guests from 203 countries were invited to attend the May 6 coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla inside Westminster Abbey.
European royalty and political leaders from around the world witnessed the historic occasion, as well as celebrities including the likes of Dame Emma Thompson and pop sensation Katy Perry.
Although Prince Harry attended his father's coronation on Saturday—without an official role—his wife and former Suits actor Meghan Markle stayed at their Montecito, California home with their two children Archie and Lilibet.
May 6 also coincided with Archie's fourth birthday.
But that didn't stop wishful thinkers from imagining the Duchess of Sussex made a stealth appearance at the royal event.
A photo of an invited guest sitting next to musical theater impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber wearing tinted glasses drew much attention on the internet.
Many speculated the mysterious individual was actually Markle, incognito. But English actor Bob Cryer refused to be bamboozled.
He shared a screenshot of the person in question and tweeted:
"[Meghan], you're not fooling us..."
\u201cMegan, you\u2019re not fooling us\u2026\u201d— Bob Cryer (@Bob Cryer) 1683372043
Twitter user @Teresa__Martin observed:
"Someone showed up in disguise at The Coronation."
"Next to Andrew Lloyd Webber, no less."
\u201cSomeone showed up in disguise at The Coronation. Next to Andrew Lloyd Webber, no less. \ud83e\udd14\u201d— Ms. Martin Muses (@Ms. Martin Muses) 1683386019
Astute viewers recognized the individual in the photo was renowned Welsh composer Sir Karl Jenkins, whose music was used during the King’s crowning.
\u201c@Teresa__Martin That\u2019s Sir Karl Jenkins, distinguished composer.\u201d— Ms. Martin Muses (@Ms. Martin Muses) 1683386019
\u201c@bobbicee Think it\u2019s the composer Karl Jenkins\u201d— Bob Cryer (@Bob Cryer) 1683372043
But Twitter remained incredulous.
\u201cWell I\u2019m all agog! Who on earth is that next to Mr Lloyd-Webber, surely it\u2019s someone in a disguise\u2026 #Coronation\u201d— Larry Grayson (parody homage) (@Larry Grayson (parody homage)) 1683369859
\u201c@Teresa__Martin Clearly it\u2019s an aged Tony Clifton\u2026.\u201d— Ms. Martin Muses (@Ms. Martin Muses) 1683386019
\u201c@bobbicee Swiss Tony\u201d— Bob Cryer (@Bob Cryer) 1683372043
\u201c@Teresa__Martin If this were the 70s I\u2019d say Rip Taylor crashed the party.\u201d— Ms. Martin Muses (@Ms. Martin Muses) 1683386019
\u201c@bobbicee My favourite for that picture was \u201ctilda swinton deep in character\u201d\u201d— Bob Cryer (@Bob Cryer) 1683372043
\u201c@Teresa__Martin Captain Kangaroo?\u201d— Ms. Martin Muses (@Ms. Martin Muses) 1683386019
\u201c@Teresa__Martin Clearly it\u2019s Johnny Knoxville\u201d— Ms. Martin Muses (@Ms. Martin Muses) 1683386019
\u201c@bobbicee Thought it was a Benny hill character\u201d— Bob Cryer (@Bob Cryer) 1683372043
Others were convinced it was Markle.
\u201cMeghan really should've picked a more convincing disguise... #Coronation\u201d— Tom (@Tom) 1683397663
\u201c@bobbicee OK Meghan, try and get a seat at the front..\u201d— Bob Cryer (@Bob Cryer) 1683372043
Markle's planned absence was known since April 12.
Buckingham Palace previously released an official statement, confirming:
“The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet."
@jaketapoer/Bluesky
@BillAckman/Twitter