The moment some claimed threatened to overshadow the coronation of King Charles III arrived with smiles, conversation and a minimum of fuss.
Prince Harry flew in from California on a lightning visit to mark his father's crowning moment, leaving immediately after the ceremony to return to the United States.
The Duke of Sussex is understood to have gotten into a car alone, heading to the airport in an attempt to make it back to California in time to celebrate his son Archie's fourth birthday as the rest of the royal family gathered to greet crowds on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
His appearance at the highly anticipated event is the first time he has been seen in public with his family since the release of his explosive memoir Spare.
Prince Harry entered Westminster Abbey at 10.51am with cousins Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie and without his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, or their children.
The Duke of Sussex chatted happily with his cousins and their husbands, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Jack Brooksbank, even sha ring a joke or two as the blinding outside light silhouetted their entrance through the massive archway.
It wasn't until the five royals walked down the aisle — Eugenie and Brooksbank in front of Harry, Beatrice and Mapelli Mozzi behind — that the self-removed prince looked truly alone.
Former royal press secretary Dickie Arbiter described the moment, which came amid an ongoing feud further fuelled by criticism of the royal family in Harry's new memoir Spare and Netflix series Harry & Meghan, as a "good arrival".
"It is good to see the family turn out," he said on the 9News coverage of the coronation.
"I think it is full marks to Harry for coming back for his father's coronation.
"It was the right thing to do."
Arbiter pointed out it was an "ad hoc" arrival, with Prince Andrew — who stepped down from public duties and paid $20 million to settle a civil sexual assault case with Australian Virginia Giuffre — arriving ahead of Harry despite being less senior.
Harry was later seen sitting in the third row next to his cousins, in stark contrast to his brother, William, wearing the ceremonial dress uniform of the Welsh Guards alongside the Princess of Wales and their children, and set to play a key role in the ceremony.
There was no interaction between Harry and his father or brother in the early stages of the ceremony, which is estimated to cost as much as £100 million ($187 million).
Cameras caught at least two moments where the Duke of Sussex appeared to be looking towards his family members.
But there was no sign of any eye contact between them as the King and prince happened to be looking in another direction.
Harry was seen smiling warmly in conversation with his aunt, Princess Anne, the Princess Royal.
As confirmed last month, Meghan remained in California with the couple's two children, Prince Archie, who turns four today, and Princess Lilibet.
Harry and Meghan stoked their critique of the royal family in a six-part Netflix series about their decision to step back from royal duties three years ago, which was followed by Harry's decision to reveal family secrets in his bestselling memoir Spare.
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Harry and Meghan have alleged she faced racist attitudes from both the palace and the UK press.
The treatment contributed to their decision to leave the country.
- Reported with Associated Press
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