Prince Harry made a very quick appearance in the UK for the coronation of his father, King Charles III. It's understood Harry arrived in England on a commercial flight yesterday to attend the two-hour ceremony.
Following months of speculation and rumour, Prince Harry decided to make a brief appearance whilst Meghan remained in California for Archie's birthday. There's been a great deal of chatter about this, but I think ultimately it's a case of a complete lack of reconciliation. Given the lack of communication and dire state of relations, Harry made the choice to attend on what is one of the most significant days of his father's life.
Harry arrived with Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie and their husbands Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Jack Brooksbank.
A very nice photo of Harry and Edo.
Making their way inside the Abbey.
The group taking their seats.
Harry and Jack enjoying light-hearted conversation.
Prince Harry sits next to Jack Brooksbank, husband of Princess Eugenie, for his father's #coronation https://t.co/UjObJnhUV0 pic.twitter.com/fxQI57aSuX
— ITV News (@itvnews) May 6, 2023
Prince Harry greeting Princess Anne.
Harry appeared to be in incredibly good spirits.
He greeted those involved in the service.
The Duke of Sussex was dapper in Dior. The fashion house confirmed: "Dior is honored to have dressed Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, for the coronation of King Charles III in a custom design by Kim Jones. Seen arriving at Westminster Abbey, gain an insight into the savoir-faire of his three-piece suit next." Princess Eugenie was also dressed by Kim Jones.
Carly Ledbetter confirms: "Prince Harry wore an Afghanistan service medal, along with Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilee medals on his medal bar. The Duke of Sussex also wore the KCVO Star decoration around his neck."
Afterwards, Harry travelled directly to Heathrow where he dashed back to the US in order to make it home before the end of Archie's birthday.
Speaking of Archie's birthday, Sussex Community Events launched a wonderful fundraiser to support KABOOM! (the Duke and Duchess supported a new playground in Uvalde). KABOOM! supports the needs of children through play! It has raised over $63,000 already. If you would like to contribute, please click here.
Sending Archie the happiest of birthday wishes on his special day!
Happy Birthday Archie!! Harry and Dior are a match made in heaven!!
ReplyDeleteHarry was very smiling today, and handsome in his pretty Dior suit.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the details, especially about the different medals that I was wondering about...
His complicity with certain members of the Royal Family is a pleasure to see, perhaps he was welcomed by Beatrice or Eugenie since he no longer has access to Frogmore cottage ?
Besides that, I hope that Archie had a great birthday day. :)
Very glad Harry was at the coronation…that was important, but I’m saddened at the brevity of his trip. Four year olds wouldn’t know if you hold their birthday party a day or two late so that’s not a valid excuse. Tension and no reconciliation between family members? Likely the utmost reason, but I’ve wondered lately about Harry’s friendships. Even if he doesn’t spend much time with family, surely he had good friendships that he’d want to touch base with. Or did he completely walk away from his life in the UK?….he will regret that someday if he doesn’t already.
ReplyDeleteHarry looked wonderful. He looked like he was there to celebrate his father and it was great to see him in good spirits. Getting a flight from London to the west coast gets you home an hour or so after you leave here in Seattle so LA probably isn't much longer
ReplyDeleteHarry looked very fine! By attending the coronation he has discharged his duty as a Prince of the UK, a Councillor of State, a veteran, a proud British subject, and a son of the king. Despite the constant slagging and sniping by the vituperative British press he exemplified poise and dignity. Happy birthday to little Prince Archie. He comes across as a lovely and happy little boy. He seems blessed with great parents who will raise him with lots of love, security, and guidance and joy.
ReplyDeleteJust have a question that I hope someone on this blog can answer. What does Dior's statement that they "dressed the Duke of Sussex" mean? Does it mean just that they designed Harry's outfit, they loaned it to him like designers loan clothes to celebrities for special occasions, or they gifted him? I notice that they write that Meghan is wearing their couture, but they don't say they "dressed her."
And thanks for covering Harry, Charlotte.
I was SO happy to see Harry with his cousins. As he's not a "working" royal, I feel it is a perfect place to sit with the "non-heirs." To see them laughing together, including with his aunt, really was wonderful to see. I hope he arrived home to a lovely birthday with his family. Thank you for the photos!
ReplyDeleteMe too
DeleteCongratulations to Harry whom I found simply worthy and courageous. For the rest, coronation and others, sincerely that does not interest me any more. Happy birthday to Archie.
ReplyDeleteHe was very handsome and all smiles, but I'm sure it wasn't the same for him without his lovely wife.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, little Archie!
Thank you for posting, Charlotte! <3
Eve from Hungary
It was good to see him looking cheerful. But why did he need to be dressed by Dior? He already has a perfectly standard and lovely morning suit in his wardrobe.
ReplyDeleteAnd Why not ?
DeleteHe is free . His is money
Coronation, I assume.
DeleteThank you for covering Harry , Charlotte. He looked at ease sitting with his cousins.
ReplyDeleteHarry appeared to be running through the gammit of emotions yesterday. There were times when he looked delighted to see someone or relaxed in a chat, but also times he looked a bit pensive, uncomfortable, or downright sad. I can't say I blame him; it must have all felt very complicated. I am glad he made it, and hopefully he made it home for a good chunk of Archie's birthday.
ReplyDeleteKudos to the organizers of various charity donation since the birth of this lovely boy and liibeth his sister. seriously hat off to all those contributing in cash and kind.
ReplyDeletePrince harry looking clean and happy......... Despite the fact that harry and his wife stay out of the limelight for this particular event, nothing stop the haters from lamenting about them. I believe this family will always wax stronger
ReplyDeleteI think the situation with British media/ journalist is so toxic that the power houses of UK are scared of them, their will be future consequence for this type of thing to play on. Now the sussex are taking the heat, have those siding with these evil souls realize that someone will surely be the next victim if nothing is done to stop it
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comment.
DeleteHarry looking fresh, I will say he was the smiling one among the royal family, the people still find a way to tell lies
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday 🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎉🎉🎉 Archie. May you wax stronger
ReplyDeleteThank God Meghan stay away from this toxic environment
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that Harry went and was present at his father's big day, and I don't think that he had got a particularly bad seat. He was in the pew with other non-working members of the family, and with members he seems still to be friendly with, so no awkward silence with his neighbours. He was in full range of the cameras (looking dapper in this morning suit), he was greeting and greeted by a lot of significant people, so I think for the situation as a whole, it went well. I'm somewhat sad that he will not be seen on the official family photos, but then it might have felt wrong for him to be in the family pictures without his own family. So let us see what the future might bring.
ReplyDeleteAwww, he looked very smart in that Dior suit. He appeared pretty relaxed and friendly with his cousins and other attendees. I’m glad he came and kept it brief without drama.
ReplyDeleteThanks Charlotte for such detailed coverage. I had to work this weekend so have been perusing both blogs for updates during my way too short breaks.
Also here’s wishing young Archie a belated Happy Birthday!
Philly here. It's been most interesting to watch social media (as well as British media with its usual donkey chorus from graying beasts) explode over numerous aspects quite irrelevant to the historical import of the coronation that ought to have been Charles's moment after so many years. For many reasons I hesitate to comment beyond suggesting that like the "crowded" marriage of Charles and Diana with three people in it, the reign of Charles and Camilla will go down in history as being even more "crowded" with five people in it: Diana, Harry, Meghan, Archie and Lilibet. You couldn't write this stuff if it were fiction and ask anyone to "suspend their disbelief." Tragic.
ReplyDeleteThe political implications--which is not what this blog is about so I'll skirt those points--are even more alarming than the very real personal anguish of anyone caught in this (dare I call it) drama. I can't find the words to say what it is.
Feel free not to post this, Charlotte. No hard feelings if you don't.
Although I find your perspective interesting, I do not agree that there will be 5 people in King Charles's reign. Harry and his family have moved far, far away and will be increasingly irrelevant to the ongoing royal story in the UK. Even the British tabloid press will have less and less reason to refer to Harry & family as their paths intersect less often in future.
DeleteI thought Harry was wonderful in attending with dignity and smiles, thereby de-fusing the tabloid media's narrative of drama. He did not display the "anguish" you refer to. I thought Meghan was correct in staying away, both to preserve her serenity from having to face her unpopularity in the UK and to remove herself as a distraction from King Charles's big day. No one would have brought a one-year old or a 4-year old to a very lengthy, solemn historical/religious occasion. Even 5-year old Prince Louis was not present at every moment of every Coronation event. Harry's children wouldn't have attended the Coronation even if he had remained a working royal. I hope it is time for all of us to stop looking for snubs and drama.
I wish Harry happiness in the life he chose and freedom from all the people (both haters & fans) who want to spin out and extend the drama. Let it go and let him move forward.
I always get a lot of info from your comments, Philly. I have to agree with this. It really feels like a no win situation.
DeleteLovely post! Thank you Charlotte for these great, lighthearted pix. I am glad that Harry went to his father’s coronation and he is back home with his family. Maybe, at some point, King Charles and Prince Harry can wander the grounds of Balmoral and find common ground on which to rekindle a healthier relationship.
ReplyDeleteRenee
So wonderful to see that he got to spend some quality time with his cousins, was able to laugh and talk with his Aunt. I totally understand him being there for his Father but with no chance to even talk with him, that he was able to get back and spend his son's birthday with him. He looked relaxed, happy and fit. Even walking down the aisle and fielding some decidedly snarky looks. Invictus coming up, can't wait to see them there after a few events in the US this month. Thank you Charlotte for keeping us informed on this page. :) It's very sad to see that the British media kept going on and on at both Meghan and Harry, fanning flames and telling outright untruths again.
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th Birthday Archie
ReplyDeleteI'm just so glad that Harry seemed to be in good spirits and was surrounded by those few members of his family who are still kind and welcoming to him. God knows it can't be easy to face that whole situation. I think showing up for the coronation showed a lot of emotional maturity, while still protecting his mental health (not staying for days on end in what seems to be a still-toxic environment).
ReplyDeleteI know others will disagree, but I really feel that unless the royal family are willing to change their ways (relationship with the media; throwing each other under the bus for good press) and willing to apologize (probably in private), that a reconciliation isn't likely, sadly. I think Harry (and Meghan) are open to it, if only open-minded conversations can be had. Sadly, I just don't think that will happen -- if not ever, than at least for a very long time.
Becca, I agree completely.
DeleteIn general, I believe that we see Meghan when she allows it. Therefore, I love that Markus and another friend are with Meghan for Archie's birthday weekend. I think Markus really is her best friend and is Uncle Markus to Archie and Lili. Love Meghan's necklace, too!
ReplyDeleteGlad he went wish he stayed for the official portraits. im glad the york girls (despite eugenie lunching with piers morgan) were friendly to him and that Princess Anne was friendly to him.
ReplyDeleteThe fundraiser in honour of Archie's and Lili's birthdays has raised a phenomenal amount of money to combat playground inequities, $70,000! The total will probably go up more when the focus is on Lili's birthday next month. It's lovely to think of these two little tykes helping other children.
ReplyDeleteI don’t think Meghan gave an excuse for not attending the coronation. That was the speculations from thousands of articles by the press. Also to be fair, the photos of Meghan hiking sans children wasn’t a photo shoot set up by her. That was the paparazzi and the media hounds hoping to get photos/articles of famous people so they can cash in.
ReplyDeletePrince Harry seemed more alert and comfortable than most of the other royals attending the coronation. He looked very dapper and projected a strong core. California must be agreeing with him along, with Meghan and his beautiful children.
ReplyDeleteI saw this wonderful initiative of Meghan, she informed about the need for children playground during her visit to Texas in USA. Kudos to her and archewell team for helping against all odds. This actionable part of Meghan is what I respect most (going out to make things happen). The assembling will take place may 13
ReplyDeleteSadly, Meghan and the children were not part of this positively momentous historical event. Harry in attendance without his own family unit spoke volumes. It would have been good to see the King’s diligent daughter-in-law and lovely grandchildren at his coronation.
ReplyDeleteWith the passage of time one can only hope that matters work out for the best. In the meantime, for all the good works they undertake, congratulations and best wishes continue to be due to the Duke & Duchess of Sussex.