Prince Harry is now allowed to wear military uniform while honoring the late Queen
After reports circulated that, as was the case with his grandfather Prince Philip’s funeral, Prince Harry is unable to wear a military uniform for the queen’s funeral (causing very mixed reactions), it seems that a “turn around” – of sorts – has been made.
A new statement released to the press says Prince Harry will now be able to wear his Blues and Royals uniform as he joins his brother Prince William and their six cousins in remembrance of the late Queen. However, it will be at the wake around Her Majesty’s coffin in Westminster this Saturday, rather than the actual funeral (Monday September 19).
It would be a change from original plans and comes after Prince Harry’s spokesperson urged the press and public not focusing on what he was wearingbut rather to keep the focus on his grandmother and her memory.
Via a Sussex spokesperson, a previous statement of Harry said: “[Prince Harry] will wear a morning suit to events honoring her grandmother. His decade of military service is not determined by the uniform he wears and we respectfully request that the focus remain on the life and legacy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”
Discuss new news on Twitterroyal journalist Omid Scobie, who is said to have good relations with the Duke and Duchess of Sussexshared: “In a dramatic twist, Palace officials have informed Prince Harry that he CAN wear his military uniform to a final vigil. On Saturday evening, Harry will join seven other grandchildren in Westminster Hall to stand in silence for 15 minutes by the Queen’s coffin.”
Scobie then added: “The reversal – first reported by The Mirror – follows Harry’s statement that his ‘military service is not determined by the uniform he wears’, but it is understood that the Palace bowed to public opinion after thousands complained about the decision to ban him and not Prince Andrew.”
Although Prince Harry is a military veteran, having served for ten years, even touring Afghanistan, the reason he is still (probably) not allowed to wear a uniform at the Queen’s funeral next Monday is that ‘after resign from one’s role as a top royal, he was stripped of all current military titles.
Once you are no longer on active military service it is a general rule that all former members of the UK Armed Forces are then prohibited from wearing military dress as at this point they are considered civilians. It is, however, acceptable to wear your medals – which Prince Harry did, with a black suit, during Wednesday’s mourning procession for the Queen.
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