‘Wonderful’ Prince Harry made Coronation huge success – ‘He did his duty’
Prince Harry made a “wonderful” contribution to King Charles’ Coronation, according to Queen Elizabeth’s former press secretary.
Ailsa Anderson defended Prince Harry’s swift visit to the UK because of his “duty as a father” to Archie Harrison.
She said the Coronation was a “balancing act” between his official duty as the King’s youngest son and celebrating his own son’s fourth birthday.
Speaking on GB News, Anderson told Camilla Tominey that she though Harry looked “relaxed” during the ceremony as he chatted to his cousins.
The Duke of Sussex spent a total of 28 hours and 42 minutes in the United Kingdom during his brief trip to witness his father being crowned as King.
Camilla said: “Obviously he was relegated to the third row, he was obscured by the Princess Royal’s feathered hat. From a PR perspective how do you think that will played out? Relegated to the third row?”
But Anderson replied: “I think people might bite your right arm off to be in the third row of Westminster Abbey to be watching a Coronation of a king. I think it was wonderful that he came, I really do.
“I thought he looked relaxed when he walked into the Abbey, he was smiling at people. He was chatting to his cousins. I thought it was lovely and just there to show support.”
Harry took his place alongside non-working royals Prince Andrew, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
He left Westminster Abbey following the conclusion of the ceremony on Saturday to join his wife Meghan Markle to celebrate their son Archie’s birthday.
Anderson, who was also Director of Communications to Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, also explained why Harry was not involved in the procession.
Camilla said: “He had no interaction at all with Prince William. He didn’t seem to have much interaction at all with his father.
“You’ve got this juxtaposed situation of a brother and one hand pledging to be the liegeman of life and limb and having a kiss on the cheek of the king.
“And then you have the other brother heading back to Heathrow as soon as the crown’s been placed upon the royal head.”
Anderson responded: “Well, he didn’t have a part to play because he’s not the heir apparent. And of course, it was Prince Archie’s birthday yesterday, his 4th birthday.
“And you know, Prince Harry had to combine his official duty as the King’s youngest son with his duty as a father.
“And we know, as working women. You know, it’s a balancing act, isn’t it? So he managed to, well done him for doing both yesterday.”
