Two rows behind his brother and without an official role: Prince Harry, at odds with the British monarchy, attended the coronation of his father Charles III discreetly on Saturday at Westminster Abbey.
There was little doubt about the case in view of the violent criticism of the Duke of Sussex against his family, in particular in his memoirs published in January, which were particularly harsh for his brother William, now heir to the throne, and his mother-in-law Camilla, now queen.
The palace had cut short hopes of public reconciliation on the occasion of the historic event, by letting it be known that Harry would have no official role there, like Andrew, brother of the king already deprived of public engagement.
The two members of the family are no longer active members, the first since his voluntary departure for the United States with his wife Meghan in 2020, while the second fell out of favor after accusations of sexual assault, ended in a financial agreement.
Harry confirmed only a few weeks ago that he would be coming to the ceremony, but without Meghan, who remained in California where they live with their two children Archie and Lilibet. Since then, his arrival, and in particular his place in the abbey, had given rise to a great deal of speculation in the British media.
Prince Harry appeared relaxed at Westminster Abbey, with his decorations on his dark jacket, discussing his arrival in particular with his cousin Beatrice.
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 was in the front row with his wife Kate and their children and they were not seen talking to each other.
It is the first time Harry has appeared with the royal family since the January publication of his autobiography 'The Substitute', in which he describes William as short-tempered and Camilla as scheming to ascend the throne.
According to several British media, Harry arrived in London on Friday but had to leave soon after the ceremony, in order to celebrate the fourth birthday of his 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 had taken part in the funeral procession behind the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Abbey after her death in September, they did not take part in the procession on Saturday which accompanied the royal couple to Buckingham Palace after the ceremony.
They also did not appear on the balcony for the traditional salute of members of the royal family.
There is a great 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 coronation at the abbey.
William, now Prince of Wales, returned to the palace in a state coach after the ceremony, with Kate and their three children, George (9), second in line to the throne, Charlotte (8), and Louis (5 years old), who distinguished himself by yawning during the religious ceremony.
Andrew has been banned from all official public appearances and stripped of his military credentials since early 2022, after charges of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl, a case 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.
06/05/2023 17:00:13 - London (AFP) - © 2023 AFP
