On May 6, 2023, millions of people around the world tuned in to witness a historic moment: the coronation of King Charles III on BBC. Over 13 million viewers watched the ceremony, which was filled with grandeur, tradition, and, of course, a little drama. But amidst all the pageantry, one particular detail caught the eye of many viewers: Princess Anne's hat. Specifically, its large red feathered plume that seemed to obscure the view of her nephew, Prince Harry.
The Feather That Stole the Spotlight
Princess Anne, 73, chose to wear her military uniform to the coronation of her eldest brother, King Charles III. Perched atop her head was a striking hat adorned with a large red feathered plume. As the ceremony unfolded, the camera often panned to Anne, who was standing just in front of Prince Harry. And there it was—Harry's face was partially blocked by the feather, sparking a flurry of reactions online.
Let's take a moment to imagine the scene. Anne, standing tall and proud, her feathered hat commanding attention. Behind her, Prince Harry, whose presence was somewhat overshadowed by the dramatic accessory. It was a moment that didn't go unnoticed by social media users.
Read also:Candice Bergen Mourns The Loss Of Beloved Husband Marshall Rose
Social Media Weighs In
As the ceremony aired, social media lit up with comments about Anne's hat. One user on X, formerly known as Twitter, quipped, "I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a more deliberate snub than putting Harry behind Princess Anne’s feather #HarryWho #Coronation." Another chimed in, "You just know Princess Anne has put that big feather on top to block Harry’s face." The reactions were swift and, in some cases, quite humorous.
But was it all just a coincidence? Or was there more to the story? Let's dive a little deeper.
The Inside Story: What Really Happened?
In his new book Charles III: New King. New Court. The Inside Story, author Robert Hardman addresses the social media buzz surrounding Anne's hat. According to the book, Prince Harry was seated in the third row of the royal section, directly behind his aunt. The striking red-plumed bicorn hat remained on Anne's head throughout the ceremony, leading some to speculate that it was a deliberate move to obscure Harry's view.
However, the book sets the record straight. "This is nonsense," the excerpt reads. "Not only do the Lord Chamberlain’s Office not think like that, but the Princess Royal had only switched to that seat after her request for a speedy exit." In other words, the seating arrangement was not a calculated snub but rather a practical decision based on Anne's needs.
Princess Anne Speaks Out
And what about Anne herself? Did she intentionally choose the hat to make a statement? In a candid moment, Anne addressed the rumors surrounding her accessory. "The hat was an interesting question," she reflected. "I said: 'Are you sure you want me to keep the hat on? Because it’s quite a decent-sized hat.' And the answer was yes. There you go. Not my choice."
It seems that the feathered plume was simply part of Anne's outfit, chosen for its regal and ceremonial significance. The decision to keep it on during the ceremony was not hers to make, and any drama surrounding it was purely coincidental.
Read also:Craig Melvin Opens Up About Stepping Into Hoda Kotbs Shoes On Nbcrsquos Today
Prince Harry, 39, attended the ceremony alone, without his wife Meghan Markle and their children, Archie and Lilibet. The couple stepped back from their royal duties in January 2020 and have since been living in Montecito, California. Despite the distance, it seems that family ties remain strong. In his 2023 memoir, Spare, Harry revealed that Anne was the one who greeted him upon his arrival at Balmoral Castle in Scotland when Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8, 2022.
Harry wrote about the poignant moment: "I hurried into the foyer. Aunt Anne was there to greet me. I hugged her. She led me upstairs, to Granny’s bedroom. I braced myself, went in." It's a touching reminder of the bond between family members, even in the midst of royal protocol and public scrutiny.
