Here’s How Prince Harry Will Spend The Coronation And What His Seating Position Means

Prince Harry cut a solitary figure as he walked into Westminster Abbey alone.

Prince Harry coronation

by Lydia Spencer-Elliott |
Updated on

Prince Harry has returned to the UK for King Charles III’s coronation this weekend. It's a big sacrifice, as he'll miss Prince Archie's fourth birthday for the occasion, which coincidentally falls on 6 May, too. In light of this decision, there's been loads of speculation about what Prince Harry will actually do on the big day, with Google searches for 'Prince Harry Coronation' spiking.

So, on the day of his father's Coronation, here's exactly what role Harry will play in the celebrations, what his Coronation duties will be and where he'll sit inside Westminster Abbey.

Is Prince Harry going to the Coronation?

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Peter Phillips and King Charles III during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey on September 19, 2022 in London, England. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born in Bruton Street, Mayfair, London on 21 April 1926. She married Prince Philip in 1947 and ascended the throne of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth on 6 February 1952 after the death of her Father, King George VI. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Prince Harry is confirmed to be attending King Charles' Coronation but Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex and their two children, Archie and Lilibet, are staying at home. The most likely reason for this decision appears to be Prince Archie's fourth birthday, which Meghan and the children will celebrate back in the US while Harry attends.

"It is about showing up, showing support and being there for his father," a source told The Telegraph of Harry's decision to go to the Coronation without his family. "It was a very personal decision, not a PR one."

What's Prince Harry's role in the Coronation?

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Camilla, Queen Consort, Prince George of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Anne, Prince Royal and Prince Andrew, Duke of York during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey on September 19, 2022 in London, England. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born in Bruton Street, Mayfair, London on 21 April 1926. She married Prince Philip in 1947 and ascended the throne of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth on 6 February 1952 after the death of her Father, King George VI. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Buckingham Palace has confirmed that Prince Harry will have no formal role in the Coronation as he's no longer a working royal. He didn't take part in the royal procession to the Coronation service through the streets of London and walked into Westminster Abbey trailing behind Princess Beatrice, alone.

After the ceremony, Harry won't follow behind the Golden State Coach, where the newly crowned King will sit. And it's unclear whether he'll join the rest of his family at Buckingham Palace.

The Coronation is the first time the Duke of Sussex has been publicly seen with his family since the late Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in September. It's also his first royal appearance since he released his tell-all memoir, Spare, which made international headlines for weeks.

Where will Prince Harry sit during the Coronation?

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - MARCH 30: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice on March 30, 2023 in London, England. Prince Harry is one of several claimants in a lawsuit against Associated Newspapers, publisher of the Daily Mail. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

There was no official confirmation of where Harry would sit before the Coronation ceremony. However, we knew that as he has no official role in the proceedings and he's not a working royal, it's likely he won't be sat at the front of the church with the rest of his family, including William and Kate. As it happens, he was sat in the third row, alongside Princess Eugenie's husband Jack Brooksbank, seemingly confirming his pared-back role in this momentous ceremony.

There were numerous reports ahead of the ceremony, including one from The Mirror that Prince Harry would be sat in the third row of the church behind two pews of other guests. And, as footage from inside Westminster Abbey rolls in, it's clar Harry is in the third row - the same position as Prince Andrew, Beatrice and Eugenie - with his few obscured by the enormous red feather sticking out of Princess Anne's hat.

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