Princess Anne has a “soft spot” for her nephew Prince Harry which could be key to fixing relationships within the Royal Family, it has been claimed. The pair had a surprisingly warm exchange during King Charles’s Coronation as they were pictured chatting and laughing ahead of the ceremony in Westminster Abbey. In a comment piece for the Mail, Kate Mansey said the pair “have more in common than people might realise” which could mean Anne is called upon to “build a bridge between father and son”.

Relations between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Royal Family, particularly King Charles and Prince William, have been strained since the couple stepped down as senior royals in March 2020.

The Coronation was the first time Harry had been seen with his father and brother since the release of his tell-all memoir Spare and Netflix docuseries.

The Prince was only seen speaking to a handful of members of the Royal Family, one of them being his aunt as was spotted on cameras when Princess Anne stopped to chat with Harry, who was sat in the third row at the Abbey.

The pair appeared to chat about Princess Anne’s outfit with lip-reading experts suggesting Harry told her, “I don’t mind. Sit at the front,” most likely a response to being asked about his seat.

Ms Mansey added: “Could Anne be called upon by King and country to build a bridge between father and son?

“As with most acts of service – at least as far as the Princess Royal is concerned – if duty calls then she will oblige.”

An insider said the pair both have a “wicked sense of humour” with Anne feeling a “duty to support” her nephew after the death of Princess Diana.

They said: “The Princess Royal has always had a soft spot for Harry and they both have a wicked sense of humour.

“People talk about Prince Andrew being the Spare but Anne was the second-born, too, and particularly since Diana died has always felt a duty to support her nephew. Both Anne and Harry have a great sense of humour and more in common than it might seem.”

Ms Mansey highlighted a moment between the pair when Princess Anne was the one to present Harry with his campaign medals in Afghanistan.

In May 2008, a 23-year-old Harry, known as Lieutenant Wales, was among 160 members of the Household Calvery to receive the declaration from his aunt.

Harry was the first member of he Royal family to see active service since his uncle Prince Andrew flew helicopters in the Falklands War.