‘Looks lost’: World reacts to ‘lonely’ Harry at King Charles III’s coronation

All eyes were on Prince Harry as he arrived solo to his father’s coronation, cutting a lonely figure as he took his seat in Westminster Abbey.

Prince Harry arrives at King Charles coronation.

Prince Harry cut a lonely figure as he arrived at the coronation of his father, King Charles III, this evening.

The Duke of Sussex arrived solo at Westminster Abbey in London, looking sombre as he took his seat among the 2300 guests invited to the historic occasion.

Harry’s arrival was highly anticipated by royal onlookers, given just one day before the coronation it was revealed he would not be seated next to his father and brother, Prince William, during the ceremony.

Prince Harry arrives without wife Meghan Markle for his father’s coronation. Photo by Andy Stenning/Pool/AFP

Princess Beatrice and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi arrive at the Coronation of King Charles III with cousin Prince Harry. Picture: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images

Instead, in a humiliating move, Harry was relegated to the third row, where he was seated between his cousin Princess Eugenie’s husband, Jack Brooksbank, and Princess Alexandra – the cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth whose last royal working engagement was 10 years ago.

Prince Harry arrives at King Charles coronation.

Prince Harry is accompanied by his cousins Eugenie and Beatrice.

The front row was reserved for senior working royals such as: the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate; the Duke of Edinburgh, Edward and Sophie; their children Lady Louise and James the Earl of Wessex; plus Princess Anne and her husband, Tim Laurence.

Harry is no longer a working royal after he and Meghan moved to the US after stepping away from their roles within the family.

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Meghan Markle did not travel to the UK for the coronation. Picture: Andrew Milligan - WPA Pool/Getty Images

“There were discussions that the seating could be arranged on line of succession,” a source told The Sun before the coronation. “But that would have put fifth-in-line Harry front and centre – and with William and Kate.”

“Instead the decision was working royals only at the front and work back from there. Harry will be a long way from his father.”

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex wals solo as he finds his seat inside the abbey. Picture: Phil Noble/Pool/AFP

Prince Harry inside Westminster Abbey, sitting two rows down from Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. Picture: Sky News

Wearing a dapper suit, Harry appeared without his wife, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, who declined an invitation to attend the coronation, opting instead to stay at their home in California with their children: Princess Lilibet, one, and Prince Archie, who coincidentally is celebrating his fourth birthday today.

Shortly before Harry’s arrival, Hollywood stars Katy Perry and Lionel Richie took their place inside the abbey.

Perry arrived wearing an eye-catching blush pink hat, while the All Night Long singer looked dapper in his suit and satin tie.

Twitter has since weighed in on Harry’s arrival, with the royal receiving a mixed bag of criticism and support.

“I can’t help it, I feel sorry for him, he desgraced himself!” tweeted one user, while another said: “Prince Harry (son of the King..) has been told to sit his ass down in the third row from the stage. The shade is amazing. All that’s missing is a strategically placed candlestick.”

Oh I feel so sorry for prince harry he looks so lost

— 🦄🌈🌸amy (@amytalker) May 6, 2023

I can’t help it, I feel sorry for him, he desgraced himself! #Coronation#PrinceHarrypic.twitter.com/tPwftFCJD1

— Royalist (@Roya_list) May 6, 2023

Prince Harry (son of the King..) has been told to sit his ass down in the third row from the stage.

The shade is amazing. All that's missing is a strategically placed candlestick.#Coronation#BritishShade

— Dawn Kratzer (@DKCripple) May 6, 2023

The candlestick reference was of course regarding the Queen’s funeral last September, when Harry and Meghan were obscured by a candlestick during the TV broadcast.

There may have been no candlestick in sight tonight, but there was a feathered hat worn by Princess Anne that also somewhat blocked Harry from viewers.

“Oh, dear! Last time, #PrinceHarry was obscured by a huge candle. This time, by Princess Anne’s hat,” one Twitter user pointed out.

Oh, dear! Last time, #PrinceHarry was obscured by a huge candle 🕯 This time, by Princess Anne's hat. #Coronationpic.twitter.com/x3dGILZquk

— Richard Eden (@richardaeden) May 6, 2023

#PrinceHarry that's right boy. You stand tall. Don't let the haters get you down! #Coronationpic.twitter.com/9q3OYmGbvR

— Jose Correa 🟧 (@__JoseCorrea__) May 6, 2023

This pisses me off.

Seeing #PrinceHarry
as the son of Prince Charles, relegated to the 3rd row behind strangers.

Not allowed to wear his military uniform -- although HE'S the one who actually served for years and years.#Coronationpic.twitter.com/umZbRKq30i

— @amys_bus_ticket 🌊 (@amys_bus_ticket) May 6, 2023

Jokes and jabs side, Harry did have his supporters on social media.

“#PrinceHarry that’s right boy. You stand tall. Don’t let the haters get you down! “ one tweeted of Harry’s appearance.

“This pisses me off. Seeing #PrinceHarry as the son of Prince Charles, relegated to the 3rd row behind strangers. Not allowed to wear his military uniform – although HE’S the one who actually served for years and years,” tweeted another.

Originally published as ‘Looks lost’: World reacts to ‘lonely’ Harry at King Charles III’s coronation