06 May 2023 , 13:09
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Prince Harry was 'clearly enjoying the moment' as he watched his father be crowned during the Coronation.
All eyes were on Harry on Saturday as he sat with his relatives in public for the first time since he criticised Charles, the Queen, William and the Princess of Wales in his memoir, Spare.
On this occasion, his seat in the third row for the coronation of his father the King, two rows behind his brother the Prince of Wales.
Harry, wearing medals pinned to his suit jacket, could be seen chatting to Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi as he entered Westminster Abbey on Saturday in the drizzling rain.
Prince Harry at the Coronation today (Getty Images)He also nodded and smiled to guests as he walked down the nave of the abbey.
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Harry and his uncle, Prince Andrew, would not have any formal role at the event - but Andrew did wear formal roles, unlike the Duke of Sussex.
Speaking about the historic occasion, historian Tessa Dunlop said Prince Harry looked 'entirely at peace' as he watched his father on the historic occasion.
She told the Mirror: "This was a service like no other, one that has taken a thousand years of time travel to perfect: no wonder the alchemy of ceremony, choreography, choral music, and supersonic capes worked its magic.
"There he was walking down the aisle, smiling at his cousins, every bit the prince – broad-shouldered, relaxed, even handsome, clearly enjoying the moment.
Harry wore a suit while Andrew got to wear the royal robes (Getty Images)"The Duke of Sussex was born knowing one day he'd honour his father, the king, at a show-stopping coronation, (and against expectations) Harry, smiling, looked entirely at peace with himself and the setting. Hallejulah!
"Three rows back (two behind his brother, the Prince of Wales) he took his seat beside Eugenie's husband Jack Brooksbank.
"Warm exchanges followed. How could anyone resist amidst this fairy-tale spectacle?
"At the opposite end of the same pew sat the Duke of York, better known as disgraced Andrew, that other 'Spare'. Eagle-eyed viewers might have noticed that unlike nephew Harry, Andrew was wrapped in ceremonial attire – the robes of the Order of Garter.
Prince Harry sharing jokes with Jack Brooksbank (Pixel8000)"But in a sign that the Duke of Sussex has other things in his life these days, sun-kissed Harry looked entirely at peace in a dark suit with his hard earned military medals fixed on the lapel.
"Then it was all eyes to the front. The moment was both historic and deeply personal. Charles, our King, Harry's father, looking curiously childlike and vulnerable, anointed, and then dressed in his spiritual gown, the supertunica.
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"Surely his son's heart melted? Mine did. Vivat! Vivat! God save the King.
"The power of music, of costume, of spirituality (that Greek choir!), of history. How lucky are we to have an eye-popping global event on our doorstep that we can call our own? One that transports us back along our own timeline, to memories of the late Queen and yes our own grandparents.
"But I can't help but feeling sad that Archie has missed this day when his grandfather was anointed. His five year old cousin Louis held in together in the front row, ditto eight year old Charlotte in her Grecian head-wreath looking divine.
"But that is a conversation for the Sussexes further down the line. At least this was one ceremony Harry didn't feel he could miss. Here's hoping he comes back soon with the whole family."