Harry shows 'cocky bravado' as he walks down aisle to take seat for King's Coronation
The Duke of Sussex arrived at Westminster Abbey for the Coronation of his father and stepmother while Meghan Markle remained at home.
King's coronation: 'All eyes on Prince Harry' says Morton
Prince Harry arrived at Westminster Abbey for the King's Coronation displaying what a body language expert described as showing "cocky bravado". It is the first time Harry attended a royal event with his family since the publication of his controversial memoir Spare in January. Dressed in a suit and not his military uniform Harry greeted King Charles and Queen Camilla alone as his wife Meghan Markle has chosen to stay in California with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
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Oh how Meghan must be regretting her decision to snub the Coronation! ANGELA EPSTEIN
It's hard to imagine what Harry and Meghan discussed as the Duke packed a carry-on bag in preparation for his whistle-stop trip to the UK. Well alongside "have you seen my PJs?" (him) and "if you stuff too much in the case it'll end up in the hold!" (her).
However, now that the King's youngest son is finally here on UK soil and the day has dawned on the crowning of the new monarch is it possible that the Duchess of Sussex might well be regretting letting her husband come alone to the Coronation?
After walking down the aisle of the Abbey Harry proceeded to take his seat a few rows back from the front, seated in the same row as Prince Andrew, Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank.
Body language expert Judi James said: "Chatting first to Edo he then got the attention of Eugenie and Jack and we saw an incredible return of the joker prince as Harry grinned and used two hands cupped widely under his stomach to do what looked like a mime of Eugenie’s heavily-pregnant state.
"After making the couple laugh, Harry fell back to walk in alone.
"Still smiling and with his cheeks rounded, he then proceeded to perform a display of what looked like rather cocky bravado. His striding walk looked jaunty as he pushed one side of his jacket away before making his way up the aisle nodding, grinning, using eye-brow flash rituals and chatting with people in the congregation as though signaling to the world that he was upbeat, confident and happy to be back."
As a non-working royal Harry was not permitted to wear his military uniform at ceremonial events, such as the Coronation and Queen Elizabeth's funeral last year.
It was a brief visit for Harry as the day also coincided with his son Prince Archie's fourth birthday, with the Duke keen to fly back to the US to be with his family.
In spite of the feud with his family Harry was pictured chatting to his aunt Princess Anne and looking jovial as he sat with his cousins for the service.
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According to a lipreader Harry joked with Jack Brooksbank about how quick his turnaround would be, appearing to say "about quarter to four" when asked when he planned to leave.
Harry was also seen saying "that’s funny" to Mr Brooksbank while smiling.
While entering the Abbey the Duke also greeted some of the other guests, saying "hello", "morning" and "nice to see you" to various people.
The lip-reader claimed he said "look at that" as he admired the grandeur of the occasion, and told others it was "delightful".
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Harry landed in London Heathrow yesterday at 11.23am, after flying out from Los Angeles on a commercial American Airlines plane.
A source previously told PageSix about his rapid turnaround: "Harry’s going to make every effort to get back in time for Archie’s birthday."
Due to the eight hour time difference between the UK and the US West Coast Harry may even have made it back in time to say goodnight to his son this evening.
Meghan Markle is reportedly planning to throw a low-key bash for the birthday boy with her mum Doria Ragland and a few family friends joining them in Montecito.