Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Prince Harry stuns passengers as he arrives on commercial flight for King Charles’ coronation

The Duke of Sussex is planning to head back to the US shortly after ceremony ends

Kate Ng
Saturday 06 May 2023 15:16 BST
Comments
Prince Harry arrives at Westminster Abbey for King Charles’s coronation
Leer en Español

The Duke of Sussex arrived in the UK on a commercial American Airlines flight on Friday morning (5 May), it has been reported.

Prince Harry’s flight from Los Angeles landed at London Heathrow at 11.23am yesterday, according to the Daily Mail. He is attending the coronation of his father, King Charles III, today without his wife, Meghan Markle, or their two children.

This is the first time Harry is seeing his father, brother and other members of the royal family since he published his memoir Spare in January.

Follow our live blog for all the latest updates on the King’s coronation

It is understood that Harry’s visit to the UK will be a brief one, as he will return to the US just two hours after the ceremony ends in order to celebrate his son Prince Archie’s fourth birthday.

A source previously told PageSix: “Harry’s going to make every effort to get back in time for Archie’s birthday.”

Buckingham Palace confirmed that the duke will attend the coronation last month, after weeks of speculation over his and the duchess’s presence.

A statement said that the King was “pleased” to confirm that his youngest son would be at Westminster Abbey to see him being crowned later today.

It continued: “The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.”

It has been reported that Harry stayed at Frogmore Cottage on Friday night, which would be his last time staying in his and Meghan’s former UK residence after they were asked to vacate the property by the King.

Prince Harry is attending the coronation ceremony this weekend (REUTERS)

Charles’s decision to evict the couple came shortly after the release of Spare, which aired a number of grievances the duke had with the royal family and the press.

Some of the most explosive claims that Harry made in his memoir included an allegation that Prince William physically attacked him, and that Charles was “jealous” of attention received by his brother and Kate Middleton.

This week, the palace confirmed that neither Harry nor the Duke of York will have any formal role at the coronation, as they are not working royals.

Harry and Prince Andrew will also be absent from the grand procession behind the Golden State Coach, which will carry the new King and Queen from Westminster Abbey back to Buckingham Palace following the ceremony.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in