Prince Harry the Duke of Sussex arrived at Westminster Abbey for the King's coronation without his wife Meghan.
Harry arrived at the ceremony at the same time as his cousins, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and their husbands, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Jack Brooksbank.
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, decided to stay at home in California with the couple's children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
As Harry entered the Abbey, he greeted a number of guests, saying "hello", "morning" and "nice to see you" to various people.
READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community
A lip reader has also claimed he said "look at that" while noticing the grandeur of the occasion and also said "delightful", the Mirror reports.
He then took a seat three rows back from the front and sat next to Eugenie's husband Jack Brooksbank and Princess Alexandra - the cousin of the late Queen. Also in the third row, at the other end from Harry, was the Duke of York, who stopped using the title His Royal Highness in an official capacity in January 2022.
His arrival was well in advance of his brother and sister-in-law, the Prince and Princess of Wales, who sat on the front row with their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
During the service, as the congregation paid homage to the new King, Harry was seen, along with the other royals around him, speaking the words: “God save King Charles. Long live King Charles. May the King live forever.”
There had been speculation about whether The Duke and Duchess of Sussex would attend after the prolonged controversy surrounding their relationship with the royal family. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle stepped back as working royals in January 2020 after suffering intense media and public scrutiny.
They ultimately relocated to California where they now live with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Earlier this month, a royal source told The Mirror: "After much back and forth, Harry said that he would be returning for the King's Coronation but it will only be a fleeting visit.
"Organisers have been told Harry won't be attending the concert with the rest of the Royal Family, which is a great shame as it will be such a spectacular event."
The announcement that Harry would be attending the Coronation without Meghan ended months of speculation.
In a statement, the Palace: "Buckingham Palace is pleased to confirm that the Duke of Sussex will attend the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey on 6th May.
"The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet."
The couple’s recent media work and their revelations regarding the allegedly strained relationship with the royal family fueled speculation around their attendance at the coronation of Harry’s father. That was until Harry confirmed earlier this month that he had accepted an invitation to the ceremony.
But his wife will not be joining him in London and will remain at home in the States with her children. Meghan reportedly made the decision not to attend the coronation so she could stay with her son, Archie, whose fourth birthday is on the same day as the coronation.
READ NEXT:
- How to plan a weekend city break in Manchester for less than £300 - according to AI
- Picturesque ruins with dark past lie near Peak District village a drive away
- The café where you can have fish and chips at 8am - and then have a Full English for your tea
- Five Greater Manchester pubs with wonderful waterside views