Prince Harry Sneaks Into Coronation With Cousins With No Official Role On Dad’s Big Day

Buckingham Palace revealed hours before King Charles III's coronation neither the monarch's son Prince Harry would have no formal role in the big day.

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May 6, 2023 6:00AM EDT
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King Charles III is crowned with St Edward's Crown by The Archbishop of Canterbury the Most Reverend Justin Welby during his coronation ceremony in Westminster AbbeyThe Coronation of King Charles III, London, UK - 06 May 2023
EDITORIAL USE ONLY. These photographs shall not be used after 0001hrs January 1, 2024, without prior, written permission from Royal Communications. After that date further licensing terms will be available. The portrait should be used only in the context of Their Majesties' Coronation. The photograph is provided to you strictly on condition that you will make no charge for the supply, release or publication of it and that these conditions and restrictions will apply (and that you will pass these on) to any organisation to whom you supply it. There shall be no commercial use whatsoever of the photograph (including by way of example only) any use in merchandising, advertising or any other non-news editorial use. The photograph must not be digitally enhanced, manipulated or modified in any manner or form. King Charles III is pictured in full regalia in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace, London. The King is wearing the Robe of Estate, the Imperial State Crown and is holding the Sovereign's Orb and Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross. He is seated on one of a pair of 1902 throne chairs that were made for the future King George V and Queen Mary for use at the Coronation of King Edward VII. These throne chairs were also used in the background of the 1937 Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II, and by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Hall to receive addresses from the Speakers of both Houses of Parliament last year. Picture date: Monday May 8, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story ROYAL Coronation. Photo credit should read: Hugo Burnand/Royal Household 2023/PA Wire King Charles III coronation, Buckingham Palace, London, UK - 08 May 2023
EDITORIAL USE ONLY. These photographs shall not be used after 0001hrs January 1, 2024, without prior, written permission from Royal Communications. After that date further licensing terms will be available. The portrait should be used only in the context of Their Majesties' Coronation. The photograph is provided to you strictly on condition that you will make no charge for the supply, release or publication of it and that these conditions and restrictions will apply (and that you will pass these on) to any organisation to whom you supply it. There shall be no commercial use whatsoever of the photograph (including by way of example only) any use in merchandising, advertising or any other non-news editorial use. The photograph must not be digitally enhanced, manipulated or modified in any manner or form. King Charles III and Queen Camilla are pictured with members of the working royal family: (left to right) the Duke of Kent, the Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Gloucester, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, Princess Anne, King Charles III, Queen Camilla, the Prince of Wales, the Princess of Wales, the Sophie Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Alexandra, the Hon. Lady Ogilvy, Prince Edward. Picture date: Monday May 8, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story ROYAL Coronation. Photo credit should read: Hugo Burnand/Royal Household 2023/PA Wire King Charles III coronation, Buckingham Palace, London, UK - 08 May 2023
Image Credit: WPA Pool/Shutterstock

Is it fair for the spare? That was the big question as King Charles III‘s coronation got underway on Saturday, May 6, as Royal fans clamored to see a public reunion of Prince Harry and his family, his first time seeing all of them together since publishing his scathing memoir. He entered the ceremony wearing a suit and his military medals to support his dad during the ceremony.

Prince Harry is seen in a suit with his military medals. (WPA Pool/Shutterstock)

Prince Harry arrived at the side of his cousins Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice. Buckingham Palace revealed just hours before the coronation that neither Prince Harry nor his uncle Prince Andrew would have formal roles in the ceremony, according to Britain’s Press Association news agency via CBS News. During the ceremony, the Duke of Sussex was seated with the family, behind his aunt Princess Anne. The two royals will also not join the procession behind the newly-crowned king and queen as they return from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace after the ceremony and neither are expected to appear at the balcony to greet the nation.

Prince Harry arrives at Westminster Abbey for the ceremony with Princess Beatrice. (David Fisher/Shutterstock)

Prior to the ceremony, it was announced that Harry would attend alone, while his family stayed in America. While the Coronation is a historic day for the monarchy, it also marks a special occasion for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s family: it is their son Prince Archie’s fourth birthday.

The Coronation Service of Their Majesties The King Charles III and The Queen Consort was attended by a congregation of more than 2,200 guests, including Members of the Royal Family, international representatives from over 200 countries, and approximately 100 Heads of State. The hand painted invitation, which was shared via the Royal’s Instagram, was sent to all guests. Notably absent among the guests were US President Joe Biden, though his wife, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, attended, and Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, who stayed in America with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

In the official announcement for the King’s coronation made back in October 2022, Buckingham Palace promised that the coronation would “reflect the monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry.” The Archbishop of Canterbury performed the official crowning of Charles with St Edward’s Crown and the crowning of Camila with Queen Mary’s Crown at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, May 6.