In an event that garnered significant attention during King Charles III's coronation ceremony, Princess Anne's choice of headwear-a large bicorn hat with a striking red-plumed feather-unintentionally blocked Prince Harry's view, sparking rumors and speculation about possible intentional snubbing within the royal family. However, details from a new biography by Robert Hardman, "Charles III: New King, New Court. The Inside Story," have clarified the situation, revealing it to be an innocuous incident rather than a deliberate act of familial discord.
Princess Anne, who served a prominent role in the coronation as King Charles' "Gold Stick in Waiting," a form of ceremonial bodyguard, wore her military uniform under the robes of the Order of the Thistle, complete with the now-notorious hat. "The hat was an interesting question," Anne is quoted as saying in Hardman's book, as serialized by the Daily Mail.
"'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,'" she explained, thereby addressing the speculation head-on.
This event has become a point of interest in the context of heightened scrutiny surrounding the royal family, particularly following Prince Harry's recent public criticisms of King Charles and the monarchy in his Netflix documentary and memoir.
The online discourse suggested that the hat incident at the coronation might have been a subtle form of retribution. However, Hardman's biography dispels these rumors, categorically stating that "This is nonsense. 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."
Moreover, the book reveals moments of familial warmth amidst the ongoing tensions. Prince Harry, in his memoir "Spare," recounts a poignant interaction with his aunt at Balmoral Castle following Queen Elizabeth II's death: "I hurried into the foyer. Aunt Anne was there to greet me. I hugged her." Such moments indicate a degree of normalcy and connection within the family, despite the intense public scrutiny and speculation.
Despite the trivial nature of the hat incident, it has brought to light the complexities and nuances of royal family dynamics, particularly under the lens of intense media and public attention. The incident, now clarified, serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by public figures in maintaining personal relationships amidst widespread speculation and scrutiny.
