He spent about 30 minutes at the Royal Residence after the service at Westminster Abbey before heading to Heathrow Airport to catch a flight back to California to be with his wife Meghan Markle and their children.
Sources say that Prince Harry's visit to Buckingham Palace was for logistical reasons and that he needed a moment out of the public eye after the two-hour ceremony. He did not speak to any royal family members during his brief visit.
While King Charles III is said to have expressed regret over his younger son's invitation to the Coronation, sources have suggested that the Duke of Sussex's lack of contact with the Royal Family was simply practical, given his eagerness to return to his family.
During the Coronation ceremony, Prince Harry was seated in the third row at the Buckingham House balcony, two rows behind his brother Prince William, Duke of Wales. He wore a dark morning suit and tie, with his Afghanistan and Jubilee medals pinned to his suit jacket, and a Royal Victorian Order star and neck decoration. Throughout the ceremony, he maintained a plastic smile.
Although the Duke was seen in light conversation with his cousins Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, informing them that he was flying to Meghan "about quarter to four," he did not have any significant interaction with other members of the Royal Family. King Charles III reportedly toasted his three grandchildren, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, who were among the stars of the show and carried out their public appearances with aplomb. However, he also made a point of toasting "those that weren't there" and wished Prince Harry a happy birthday "wherever he was," as it was reported that the Duke of Sussex's visit to the UK coincided with his birthday.
The lack of interaction between Prince Harry and the Royal Family during his visit has been noticed by some as a continuation of the ongoing tensions between the Duke of Sussex and his family. The British Army General has been vocal about his experiences with the Royal Family and his decision to step back from royal duties in 2020. However, many have interpreted his lack of contact as a practical decision given his tight schedule and limited time in the UK.
Prince Harry's brief visit to Buckingham Palace and his lack of contact with the Royal Family have garnered significant media attention and fueled speculation about the ongoing tensions within the Royal Family.
