Booed and Benched: Prince Harry and Andrew’s Unwelcome Reception at Coronation

The atmosphere in London was electric, but not in a good way for Prince Harry and Prince Andrew during King Charles' coronation.

As the Duke of Sussex made his way to Westminster Abbey, boos erupted from the crowd, echoing around Hyde Park.

This less-than-warm welcome unfolded early on Saturday morning, with many spectators expressing their disapproval as Harry appeared on the big screen.

Imogen Howes, a reporter from National World, was on the scene, capturing the moment as jeers filled the air.

Some members of the crowd even attempted to intervene, with one woman remarking, “That's not very nice.”

It was clear that the reception was far from friendly, and Harry wasn't the only royal facing discontent from the public.

The Duke of York, Prince Andrew, also faced a chorus of boos as he drove past in an official government car.

In stark contrast, the Prince and Princess of Wales basked in the adoration of the crowd.

As they arrived at the Abbey with their children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—they were met with enthusiastic cheers.

The atmosphere shifted dramatically as the younger royals captured the hearts of those gathered, leaving Harry and Andrew overshadowed.

Both Andrew and Harry arrived at Westminster Abbey together, along with Princess Anne.

They entered the grand venue just before 11:40 AM, but the mood was decidedly different compared to the earlier arrivals.

Harry attended the ceremony solo, with his wife, Meghan Markle, remaining in California with their two young children, Archie and Lilibet.

This decision came on the heels of a significant rift within the royal family, exacerbated by Harry and Meghan stepping back from their royal duties.

The fallout from the couple's Netflix documentary and Harry's explosive memoir has left lingering tensions.

In his book, Harry made several serious allegations against the royal family, including claims of physical altercations with his brother, Prince William, and critical remarks about Camilla, King Charles' wife.

These revelations have undoubtedly contributed to the chilly reception Harry received.

As the coronation service commenced, Harry found himself relegated to the third row, seated among non-working royals.

He was flanked by his cousins, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, with Princess Alexandra, Queen Elizabeth II's cousin, nearby.

The seating arrangement underscored his status as a former working royal, a title he no longer holds.

Prince Andrew, who also donned a mourning suit instead of military attire, sat at the other end of the same row.

He ceased using the title of His Royal Highness in early 2022, following a series of controversies.

His presence at the coronation, while significant, did not elicit the respect or admiration that once accompanied royal appearances.

Despite the boos, Harry maintained a composed demeanor, nodding and smiling at members of the congregation as he approached his seat.

His choice of attire—a mourning suit—reflected the somber nature of the event, as he is now barred from wearing military uniform due to his non-working status.

The established royal protocols dictated this arrangement, mirroring previous events, including Queen Elizabeth II's funeral last September.

Harry's role during the coronation was limited; he would not participate in the procession back to Buckingham Palace nor appear on the balcony later in the day.

This visit to the UK was brief, lasting only 24 hours.