At odds with the royal family, Prince Harry, youngest son of Charles III, arrived discreetly at Westminster Abbey on Saturday for the coronation ceremony, where he took his place with his cousins, not far from his brother, William.
The palace confirmed on Saturday that Harry and Andrew, the king's brother already deprived of public engagement, would have no official role at the coronation.
The Duke of Sussex (Harry) and the Duke of York (Andrew) are no longer working members of the royal family, the first since his voluntary departure for the United States with his wife, Meghan, in 2020, while the second is fallen out of favor after accusations of sexual assault.
Harry confirmed only a few weeks ago that he would be coming to the ceremony. Since then, his visit and in particular his place in the abbey have given rise to much speculation in the British media.
It is the first time Harry has appeared with the royal family since the publication in January of his explosive autobiography, The Substitute, in which he particularly criticized his brother, William, the heir to the throne, described as hot-tempered, and his step- mother, Camille.
He mentions in particular an argument in 2019 during which William would have thrown him on the ground in the dog bowl. Prince Harry appeared relaxed at Westminster Abbey, with his decorations on his dark jacket, chatting on his arrival with his cousin Beatrice, in particular.
He took his place in the third row, next to Jack Brooksbank, the husband of Princess Eugenie, and behind Princess Anne, the king's sister. His brother, William, is in the front row with his wife, Kate, and their children.
Harry came without Meghan, who remained in California, where they live with their two children.
According to several British media, Harry arrived in London on Friday but should leave soon after the ceremony, in order to celebrate the fourth birthday of his eldest son, Archie.
Andrew was also placed third. He was booed by people outside Buckingham early in the morning, according to the British news agency PA.
If Harry and Andrew took part in the funeral procession behind the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Abbey after her death in September, this time Harry and Andrew will not walk behind the royal couple in the cortege which will accompany them back to the Buckingham Palace after the ceremony.
It is also unlikely that they will appear on the balcony for the traditional salute of members of the royal family, even if the palace has not revealed who will surround Charles and Camilla for the occasion.
There is a stark contrast between Harry's place and the role given to William, who as heir to the throne knelt and pledged allegiance to the monarch during the ceremony.
Andrew is now used to keeping a low profile, banned from official public appearances and stripped of his military titles in early 2022 after accusations of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl, which he settled with a financial settlement.
Her presence soon after on the Queen's arm, accompanying her to Westminster Abbey for a service in tribute to her father, Prince Philip, who died last year, had sparked criticism.
