Prince Harry attends King Charles' coronation without Meghan, misses palace balcony moment
Prince Harry arrived for his father King Charles III's coronation ― sans Duchess Meghan, as expected. But Harry didn't join his family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following the ceremony.
Harry, the youngest of Charles' children with the late Princess Diana, arrived at Westminster Abbey shortly before 5:45 a.m. EDT. He walked down the aisle of the church, making eye contact with some of the attendees and greeting others. He was seated among other members of the royal family.
Buckingham Palace and a spokesperson for Harry and his wife Duchess Meghan confirmed Harry's attendance to USA TODAY in April. Meghan did not attend the official crowning for Britain's new monarch. Instead, the Duchess of Sussex stayed in California with the couple's children, Prince Archie, 3, and Princess Lilibet, 1. Archie's birthday is also May 6.
More: Everything that happened at King Charles III's coronation
Where is Duchess Meghan? Why she's not at King Charles' coronation
Prince William attended the ceremony, as did Princess Kate and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Harry's attendance marked the first meeting between Charles and his younger son since Harry deepened the rift within the House of Windsor by revealing family secrets in his bestselling book, "Spare.''
After he and Meghan stepped down from senior roles in the royal family in 2020 and moved to the U.S., Harry reunited with his family for the first time a year later at his grandfather Prince Philip's funeral. King Charles – Prince Charles at the time – and Prince William had "come ready for a fight," Harry begins the book.
Where did Prince Harry sit at the coronation?
For Saturday's ceremony, Harry was seated in the third row, behind Prince William, Princess Kate and their children, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Harry sat in the same row as his cousins, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, the daughters of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson.
Why did Prince Harry wear a morning suit?
While William donned the ceremonial dress uniform of the Welsh Guards for Saturday's ceremony, Harry wore a formal Dior morning suit designed by Kim Jones. Although Harry is a former helicopter pilot who devoted 10 years of his life to full-time military service, including two tours in Afghanistan, he did not wear his uniform after stepping down from his royal family duties. Harry also wore a morning suit to Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in September.
Harry, who had no formal role in Saturday's celebration, did wear his military medals.
Harry did not join his family on Buckingham Palace Balcony
Harry was noticeably absent when Charles and Camilla, now officially in the highest positions of the monarchy, greeted a massive crowd from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. The king and queen were joined by William, Catherine, and their children ? including Prince George, a Page of Honor for the event.
Prince Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles, was also missing from the balcony. Andrew stepped away from his royal duties "for the foreseeable future" in November 2019, following controversy over his former friendship with convicted American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Queen Camilla's complicated love story with King Charles and changing public perception
Read all our King Charles III coronation coverage:
Biggest moments: Charles and Camilla crowned, royal family appears on balcony
The balcony: See who greeted the crowd with Charles and Camilla (not Harry)
King Charles III formally crowned: A recap of the monarch's coronation day
Queen Camilla looks regal: She is also crowned at King Charles III coronation
Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis: See the royal grandchildren on coronation day
Prince Harry and Prince William: Look back their complicated relationship
Coronation photos: See all the best photos from the ceremony and procession
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: King Charles' coronation: Prince Harry attends without Duchess Meghan
