Prince Harry blocked by tall hat at King Charles’ coronation

Harry was difficult to spot, hidden behind a large hat at the King’s coronation. Viewers are wondering whether it was a deliberate move.

Prince Harry behind Princess Anne's hat.

Prince Harry has found himself in the third row at his father’s coronation – behind a large hat.

The Duke of Sussex attended King Charles III’s coronation without his wife, Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, and young children, Archie and Lilibet, on Saturday night (AEST).

While the couple, who are not working royals and live in the United States, attended Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral last September, it was only Prince Harry who flew in on a commercial flight for the coronation ceremony, which coincidentally fell on the same day as Archie’s fourth birthday.

It followed the release of their controversial Netflix documentary in December and perhaps even more controversial release of Prince Harry’s book, Spare, in January.

Prince Harry was blocked by his aunt’s feather hat at King Charles’ coronation. Picture: Sky News

Prince Harry, the King’s son, was seated in the third row between Princess Alexandra, the Honourable Lady Ogilvy – 56th in line to the British throne – and Princess Eugenie’s husband Jack Brooksbank.

As expected, Prince Harry’s brother Prince William, Prince of Wales, and Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, sat with their children in the front row.

Prince Harry behind Princess Anne's hat.

Prince Harry was also seated behind the King’s sister, Anne, Princess Royal, who happened to wear a hat with a large red feather seemingly obstructing his view – and the television broadcast’s view of him.

Viewers at home couldn’t help but draw comparison to the candle that blocked Meghan during the broadcast of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, which was held in the same church, Westminster Abbey.

Anne, Princess Royal, has been deemed by some as the hardest working royal. Picture: Sky News

During the BBC broadcast of the funeral, Meghan was hidden behind a candle.

While some claimed it was an unfortunate angle, others suggested it was a royal conspiracy.

Viewers were quick to point out it was a similar situation to Meghan being blocked by a candle on the broadcast of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral. Picture: BBC

“Just like the candle covered Meghan’s face, the feather gets in the way of Harry’s face in the row behind her,” one viewer wrote on social media.

“You can see pretty much every single member of the royal family’s face in the congregation at the coronation except Prince Harry who has spectacularly been blocked by Princess Anne’s hat,” another pointed out.

Prince Harry talks to Princess Anne at Westminster Abbey. Picture: Richard Pohle / Pool / AFP

Many viewers speculated, like the candle incident, it was done on purpose.

“Did they make Harry sit behind Anne on purpose so her silly hat would hide him?” one viewer questioned.

“Anne’s hat strategically placed with Harry in mind?” another said.

“Everything about the coronation has been planned down to the inch – including placing Anne exactly so Harry is obscured by her hat and feather,” said a third.

A fourth wrote: “Princess Anne’s hat entirely covering Prince Harry’s face is the ultimate British upper class family shade.”

Originally published as Prince Harry blocked by tall hat at King Charles’ coronation