King Charles and Prince Harry "feel regret" over how events played out at the Coronation, a royal expert has said.
The Duke of Sussex was seated in the third row for his father and stepmother's crowning in Westminster Abbey - two rows behind his brother William. After the event, he cut an isolated figure as he left to catch a British Airways flight back to the US for his son Archie's birthday.
He did not appear alongside other members of his family on Buckingham Palace's balcony - nor at the Coronation Concert in Windsor the following evening. While there were questions over whether the Sussexes would be at the Coronation, Harry eventually said he would be there while Meghan stayed in the United States with their children, reports the Mirror.
Discussing the Duke's fleeting appearance, the Mirror's Russell Myers told Lorraine: "I think we thought he would be in and out but that was about 24 hours. I mean, he had obviously the excuse of his son's birthday to fly back to but very, very telling.
"I mean, what could have been if it wasn't so acrimonious his departure from the Royal Family? Could he have been not relegated to the third row? I honestly don't think he would be. He could have gone to the reception where I imagine we're gonna see some photos later in the official portrait of the Coronation, and this is a great shame.
"Regardless of how things have been dealt with, I think there are probably regrets on both sides."
Harry has a strained relationship with Charles and William, and his attendance at the Coronation was his first public appearance alongside other royals since his controversial memoir Spare was released earlier this year. During the Coronation service, as the congregation paid homage to the King, he was seen speaking the words: "God save King Charles. Long live King Charles. May the King live forever."
William played a prominent role, kneeling at his father's feet, pledging his loyalty and then kissing him on the cheek. George served as page boy, helping to carry the train of his grandfather's robes. It is understood Harry wore what he was asked to wear, which consisted of a dark morning suit and tie, his Afghanistan and Jubilee medals pinned to his suit jacket, and a Royal Victorian Order star and neck decoration.
Following the ceremony, he arrived at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) at around 7.30pm local time (3.30am UK). British Airways flight attendants confirmed that Harry had been on the flight but said they were not permitted to discuss the details of his trip.
His abrupt return to the US meant he did not appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony for the finale of the day, with the Palace confirming earlier that he had no formal role at the event. Also absent from the balcony was Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, who has stepped away from public life after a controversial Newsnight interview in November 2019 and the furore over his friendship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
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