Prince Harry, King Charles III’s younger son, attended his father’s coronation in Westminster Abbey on Saturday, though he sat in the third row and did not appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony at the culmination of the festivities.
Until early April, it was unclear whether Harry, who now lives in California, would attend the historic event following a public spat with his family.
The 38-year-old army veteran from Afghanistan arrived at the abbey smiling and dressed in a morning suit, his medals pinned to his chest. His wife Meghan and their two young children remained in America.
He had no formal role in the service and stood by as his elder brother William, the heir to the throne, knelt before his father to pledge his loyalty as his “liege man of life and limb,” a moment that drew applause from the crowds outside.
He was later absent from the palace balcony as Charles and Camilla waved to the crowds alongside William and his family, two of Charles’ siblings, and the service page boys.
The balcony also lacked the presence of Charles’ disgraced brother Andrew, who was forced to resign from royal duties due to his friendship with late U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender.
DIVIDED OPINION
Harry was once one of the most popular members of the royal family, and his wedding to Meghan Markle, a U.S. actress, in May 2018 at Windsor Castle was a grand affair attended by large crowds.
However, his decision to resign from royal duties, as well as his feud with his family, have divided public opinion.
Lisa Penny, a 53-year-old supermarket worker from Dorset, said it was still a “bit raw” after everything that had been said. “I think he’s done a lot of damage, and I think they need some time to recover from that.”
“I’m glad he’s here for his father,” she added.
Others were relieved to see him, noting that no one knows what happens behind closed doors with families.
Jacqueline Brown, 28, a museum caretaker who had traveled from Missouri in the United States to witness the events, was glad to see him.
“He’s the king’s son; he should be here to back him up.” “Despite everything, it’s nice that he’s doing that,” she said.
“Every family has their ow
n issues,” said Jeremy Roberts, 39, “and this just plays out in the media unfortunately.”
In his January book “Spare,” Harry criticized his father, stepmother Queen Camilla, and brother Prince William, accusing the institution of treating him and his wife with contempt.
Harry, officially known as the Duke of Sussex, moved to the United States with Meghan in 2020 and has only been seen in Britain on a few occasions since. On Saturday, his eldest son Archie celebrated his fourth birthday, and Harry was said to be eager to return as soon as possible.
