Prince Harry’s brief visit to the UK left a sour taste in the mouths of some royal family members, who were left wondering why the Prince had attended his father’s coronation.
A source close to the royal family told Vanity Fair that Harry did not see or speak to his estranged relatives outside of the ceremony. Although the working royals remained focused on the coronation, some were questioning why the Prince even bothered to show up. Harry, 38, arrived in London on Friday afternoon and departed about 24 hours before the celebrations ended.
However, Harry’s hasty exit had less to do with his family feud and more with his desire to get home for his son Archie’s 4th birthday party, which coincided with the day of the coronation. Despite understanding his motive for the quick departure, the source told the outlet that the King was saddened he couldn’t share such an important moment in his life with his youngest son.
Despite leaving swiftly for his son’s birthday, Harry was also eager to return to his wife Meghan, who opted to skip the event to “protect her peace.”
The Duke appeared cheerful during his father’s crowning at Westminster Abbey. Body language expert Judi James observed that in that moment, it seemed as if none of the previous events that led to Harry’s estrangement from the family had ever happened.
Harry’s relationship with his father and brother, Prince William, has deteriorated since he stepped back from his royal duties in 2020. The situation was seemingly exacerbated when he and Markle, 41, aired the family’s dirty laundry in his memoir, “Spare,” and the Netflix series “Harry & Meghan.” Despite the drama, Harry conversed and sat with Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie and their husbands.
James noted that Harry arrived laughing and even joked about Eugenie’s heavily-pregnant baby bump, making them all chuckle. He cheerfully greeted the clergy before entering the Abbey.
The Prince sat in the third row at his father’s ceremony. He sat in the row with Princess Eugenie, (Prince Andrew’s younger daughter), and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, as well as near Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin Princess Alexandra.
The first row seats were reserved for working royals, including Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton. Being the King’s son didn’t get him a front row seat.
