[Cherie]

The Royal Family deliberately shielded Prince Harry behind Princess Anne's hat in a calculated move, a royal commentator has told Express.co.uk.

The Duke of Sussex played a background role on Saturday as his father and stepmother were crowned King and Queen.

He arrived at Westminster Abbey behind Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, taking a seat in the third row next to Jack Brooksbank, with Prince Andrew a few seats to his right.

Anne, Princess Royal was wearing a feathered hat which looked as though it was obstructing the Duke of Sussex's view - and spared him from the gaze of eagle-eyed fans watching live on TV.

Royal commentator Hilary Fordwich told Express.co.uk this was a deliberate ploy.

She said: "Harry struggling to see anything looking around Princess Anne's hat, not an accident as the royals don't make missteps. They covered Harry so the cameras could not see his face."

Ms Fordwich also commented on the fact that Meghan Markle was absent from the ceremony as she stayed in California to look after son Archie on his fourth birthday, referencing royal history as she described it as a "great pity"