Prince Harry at the coronation was ‘wonderful’ says Queen Elizabeth’s former press secretary

Ailsa Anderson told GB News: “I don’t think we should describe it as relegated to the third row. I think people might bite your right arm off to be in the third row of Westminster Abbey to be watching the coronation of a King.

“I think it was wonderful that he came, I really do. I actuallty thought he looked relaxed when he walked into the Abbey, he was smiling at people, he was chatting to his cousins.

“I thought it was lovely and just to be there to show support to his father.”

In a discussion with Camilla Tominey, she continued: “Prince Harry, having to combine his official duty as the King’s youngest son with his duty as a father, it’s a balancing act, isn’t it? But I’d say well done to him for doing both yesterday.”

She also paid tribute to the King: “He has that sense of extraordinary duty that he got from his mother. I think he’s kind, he’s generous. He’s thoughtful, he’s spiritual.

“You hear the stories that never get publicised. Andrew Lloyd Webber said yesterday that he sent him two personal letters, when his son died recently, and there was a royal photographer whose wife died last year.

“And again, the King and the Queen sent personal letters of condolence, which are never publicised but it’s just those little things that people don’t hear about which show actually they’ve got huge hearts and are incredibly compassionate.”

Asked if allowing Prince Andrew to wear ceremonial robes indicated a thawing of the relationship with the King, she said: “It is hard to know. He was there in support of his brother, the King. He wasn’t on the balcony.

“It was the working royals on the balcony. I loved the balcony scene.”