Harry’s Startled Reaction as King’s Close Bodyguard Sits Behind Him at Coronation

Prince Harry was taken aback during his father's coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London on Saturday when he discovered that the King's personal close protection bodyguard was seated just behind him.

The renegade royal found himself in the third row, sandwiched between Princess Alexandra, Queen Elizabeth II's cousin, and Jack Brooksbank, the husband of Princess Eugene.

The front row, reserved for working royals, was occupied by Prince William and Kate Middleton, leaving Harry a few rows behind.

As Harry entered the abbey, he appeared cheerful and greeted the attendees before settling into his seat.

He seemed excited, attempting to engage with the crowd and exchanging pleasantries as if he were attending a bachelor party in Las Vegas.

However, his demeanor quickly changed when he realized that the King's bodyguard was positioned behind him.

The expression on Harry's face was one of astonishment, suggesting he was caught off guard.

It remains uncertain whether the Duke of Sussex was carrying any recording devices during the ceremony.

Nevertheless, the bodyguard had been assigned to sit behind Harry as part of the palace's security arrangements for the coronation rehearsal.

Positioned one row away from Harry, in the fifth row, the security staff had a clear view of the prince's every move.

This strategic placement reflects Charles' commitment to ensuring his security.

The bodyguard discreetly blended into the crowd, dressed in a formal suit and a purple striped tie.

However, there is no doubt that he was ready to assist the King, Queen Consort, or any other members of the royal family if necessary.

His presence during the King's recent public engagements, including the walkabout along the mall, highlights his significance in safeguarding the monarch.

While the King and Queen Consort had their personal security staff present during the coronation, Princess Anne also played a special role as the King's gold stick-in-waiting during the procession back to Buckingham Palace.

As the gold stick-in-waiting, Anne acted as the King's bodyguard and was entrusted with his safety.

She led a procession of armed forces personnel on horseback behind King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla as they departed Westminster Abbey.

On Friday, Harry and Charles did not have an opportunity to meet, as Charles was at Buckingham Palace while Harry headed directly to his Windsor home, Frogmore Cottage, for what would be his final visit before vacating the property.

Last month, Prince Harry confirmed that he would attend King Charles' coronation without his wife, Meghan Markle.

Neither Harry, Princess Eugene, nor Princess Beatrice joined the rest of the royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the military flyover later in the day, as this moment was reserved for working members and their children.

Given the recent revelations about the royal family in his book “Spare” and the Netflix documentary by Harry and Meghan, fans eagerly watched for any interactions between Harry, his older brother Prince William, and his father King Charles.

Unfortunately, cameras did not capture any moments of Harry engaging with Prince William.