Global Courant 2023-05-06 15:44:49
The Duke of Sussex takes a third row seat at the coronation service
The Duke of Sussex has taken his place among the underage, non-working members of the royal family Coronation servicewhere he was relegated to the third row.
The Duke sat next to his cousins, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, at Westminster Abbey.
He was placed between Eugenie’s husband Jack Brooksbank and Princess Alexandra, Queen Elizabeth II’s 86-year-old cousin.
He seemed relaxed when he arrived at the abbey, flanked by his cousins.
He walked alone through the ship, nodding and smiling to several members of the congregation, saying “hello” to someone he recognized.
The duke’s view seemed somewhat obscured by the large red feather worn by his aunt, the royal princess, who sat directly in front of him.
Bystanders joked on social media that she wore the “view-obscuring” feather on purpose.
In reality, it’s the credit of the Blues and Royals, whose uniform she wears.
Prince Harry’s view is obstructed by Princess Anne’s headgear
Princess Anne quickly spoke to her cousin – RICHARD POHLE
The Duke arrived in England on Fridayjust hours before the ceremony.
However, it will one fleeting visit of 24 hours as he runs back to see his son, Prince Archie, on his fourth birthday, which is today.
As a non-working royal, he will not take part in the procession back to Buckingham Palace, nor will he appear on the balcony.
It is considered unlikely that he will return to the palace for a private family lunch or even appear in the official portraits to be taken afterwards.
Prince Harry is in the third row
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex arrives at Westminster Abbey
A source close to the duke said he would “do his best” to attend as many events as possible on that day.
But he has not made any firm commitments as it will depend on how the timing falls later.
As The Telegraph first revealed, the duke – who has served in the military for 10 years and has done two tours in Afghanistan – has wearing a military uniform is not allowed because he is not a working member of the royal family.
Instead, he’s in a morning suit.
The decision follows royal protocol established at previous state occasions, including the late Queen’s funeral last September.
Prince Harry is not wearing any military attire or robes for the occasion – Reuters/Toby Melville
Buckingham Palace said all members of the royal family wore morning dress with mantles befitting the highest order they belong to – Garter, Thistle or Royal Victorian Order (RVO).
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The duke is a Knight Commander of the RVO, a rank that has no robes.
Prince Harry made no specific requests regarding his outfit for the coronation, but was willing to wear whatever was asked of him, sources confirmed.
The Duke’s brother, the Prince of Wales, wears the ceremonial uniform of the Welsh Guards.
At the coronation of the late Queen in 1953, colleagues were required to wear sumptuous floor-length coronation robes.
For the king’s service, hereditary peers were initially told to dress smartly in keeping with the demure tone of the ceremony, before a last-minute U-turn indicated they could wear the robes if they wished.
Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Prince Harry before the service – TOBY MELVILLE
To participate in the portrait session, which will take place after the flypast, the Duke would have to wait in the background for some time.
The question is whether he wants to join the family for an informal lunch, which will probably take place sooner the portrait session begins.
Hugo Burnand, the coronation’s official photographer, only knows at this point if he will be given the unenviable task of defusing family tensions and making sure everyone poses with a suitably big smile.
Lord Soames, a close friend of the King, announced this week that the Duke’s behavior towards his family had come as a “terrible blow” to the monarch and a “most tragic” turn of events.
The Duke confirmed in mid-April that he would attend the coronation during the growth hope for reconciliation with his father.
The Duchess of Sussex chose to stay in California with their children Prince Archie and year-old Princess Lilibet, to host the young prince’s birthday party.
