Prince Harry is reportedly “in tears” after finding out that his older brother received a new title from their father. Prince William was bestowed with a new military honor that used to belong to the Duke of Sussex.
Prince Harry seen with his head in his hands during the England vs Australia match at the Rugby World Cup on October 3, 2015, in London, England | Source: Getty Images
In British royal family news, the Duke of Sussex has reacted to the news of Prince William becoming the Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps. The announcement of Prince William’s new title was initially made by Buckingham Palace. According to royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams, Prince Harry is very upset, to say the least.
King Charles III and Prince William ahead of the Committal Service for the late Queen Elizabeth II on September 19, 2022, in Windsor, England | Source: Getty Images
“King Charles’ announcement that Prince Harry is being stripped of his role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Corps is a real kick in the teeth for the son who always felt marginalized,” Richard noted while speaking on the matter.
Prince Harry at the Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service at St Paul’s Cathedral on May 8, 2024, in London, England | Source: Getty Images
He went on to expand that what adds further insult to injury for Prince Harry is the fact that the role is being passed over to someone whom he deems as the “cause of so many of his problems – his brother.” The Duke of Sussex is said “to have been in tears when he heard” the news.
Prince Harry during a service for the reception of Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin on September 14, 2022, in London, England | Source: Getty Images
Apparently, while the senior royals were aware of the emotional damage they would be causing Prince Harry, “they have decided the gloves are off.”
Continuing to speak on how the royal family feels about the situation, Richard added, “Harry needs to realize that when you betray the family, you don’t just escape the things you hated doing as a working royal. You also lose the things you loved.”
Prince William and King Charles III at the National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication for King Charles III and Queen Camilla on July 5, 2023, in Edinburgh, Scotland | Source: Getty Images
Adding more salt to the wound is the fact that Prince Harry loved being Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps as it was something “he was very proud” of.
Richard asserted that the Duke is also heartbroken because when he was serving in the military, it was “a rare happy time in his life” as he was recognized for his achievements “as a man” and not as a royal family member.
Prince Harry meeting up with British service personel following a Remembrance Sunday service at Kandahar Airfield on November 9, 2014, in Kandahar, Afghanistan | Source: Getty Images
Ahead of the title handover on May 13, 2024, at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, Richard stated that Prince Harry’s “last few ties to his old life are being cut and he is being set adrift, permanently.”
Prince Harry at the Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service at St Paul’s Cathedral on May 8, 2024, in London, England | Source: Getty Images
However, the Duke of Sussex is reportedly fighting back against being pushed out as he was seen wearing his KCVO Neck Order and Star, conferred to him by his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, at St. Paul’s Cathedral on May 9, 2024.
He was at the cathedral to honor the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. The esteemed medal is conferred to an individual to recognize their service to the monarchy and is awarded as part of the Royal Victorian Order.
Prince Harry was seen wearing his KCVO Neck Order and Star at the Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service on May 8, 2024, in London, England | Source: Getty Images
Much like Richard has made inferences about how Prince Harry reacted to his brother’s new title, royal author Tom Quinn has asserted his beliefs concerning why the prince chose to wear his medal of honor.
“Wearing this was Harry’s way of reminding his family that his grandmother valued his contribution […] wearing the medal is Harry’s way of saying ‘You’ve taken everything else from me, but you can’t take this!’” expressed Tom to a news outlet.
Prince Harry was seen wearing his KCVO Neck Order and Star at the Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service on May 8, 2024, in London, England | Source: Getty Images
Although handing over the title of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Corps to his brother amid his stay in the U.K. came as an extreme blow to Prince Harry, it does not take away the fact that his ties to the Armed Forces run deep.
Prince Harry gathering with fellow service personnel for a Remembrance Sunday service on November 9, 2014, in Kandahar, Afghanistan | Source: Getty Images
Prince Harry worked in the Armed Forces for ten years, serving two Afghanistan duty tours with the British Army before ending his operational duties in 2015. In addition to Prince Harry, other members of the royal family “have official relationships with many units of the Forces.”
Prince Harry gathered with other British troops for a Remembrance Sunday service on November 9, 2014, in Kandahar, Afghanistan | Source: Getty Images
The official website for the King and Queen of England states that the royal family pays soldiers, airmen, and sailors, who serve both at home and abroad, “regular visits.” They have long recognized and supported “the work of the Armed Services.”
Queen Camilla and King Charles III visiting members of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards on peacekeeping duties on March 1, 2007, in Banja Luka, Bosnia | Source: Getty Images
Drawing back to Prince William’s new title bestowment, the timing of the news has caused speculation. Public conjecture has been swirling based on the fact that it is widely known that Prince Harry and his father’s relationship has been tense in recent years.
King Charles III, Prince William and Prince Harry during the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial on November 11, 2018, in London, England | Source: Getty Images
“This is one of the most public rifts in the world. If it was handled in private without so much press speculation, it would have a better chance of being resolved,” asserted Richard while speaking about Prince Harry and King Charles III.
King Charles III and Prince Harry at the “International Year of The Reef” 2018 meeting on February 14, 2018, in London, England | Source: Getty Images
The rift between the father and son runs so deep that even when Prince Harry was back in the U.K. in May 2024, a meeting between him and the King of England would not take place. This sparked heated responses from the public.
King Charles III and Prince Harry at the “International Year of The Reef” 2018 meeting in London, England on February 14, 2018 | Source: Getty Images
“In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not The Duke will meet with his father while in the U.K. this week, it unfortunately, will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full program,” announced a spokesperson for Prince Harry.
King Charles III and Prince Harry chatting during the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Gallipoli event on April 25, 2015, in Gallipoli, Turkey | Source: Getty Images
The statement went on to explain, “The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.” According to a media outlet, King Charles III had a busy schedule because he had just returned to his public royal duties at the time.
King Charles III and Prince Harry ahead of the Committal Service for the late Queen Elizabeth II on September 19, 2022, in Windsor, England. | Source: Getty Images
The public reacted with shock and outrage to the news that Prince Harry and King Charles III did not see each other during this time, with many people expressing disappointment in the King. “That’s absolutely unforgivable, that a Dad can’t prioritize his son. King or not!!!” chastised a social media user.
King Charles III and Prince Harry attending a memorial service on April 24, 2015, in Gallipoli, Turkey. | Source: Getty Images
Similarly, someone else expressed, “Harry deserves better. Shame on #KingCharles. He treated #PrincessDiana terrible as well. #TheWholeWorldIsWatching.” “Shameful… but Prince Harry can sleep well at night. He has reached out numerous times,” commented another.
King Charles III and Prince Harry having a conversation during the the Opening Ceremony of the Invictus Games on September 10, 2014, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Someone else who felt particularly strongly about the matter stated, “Sadly, his father chooses his position over his family. His father has made it very clear where his love is. If he really wanted to see his son he would and could. This whole situation clearly shows that it is all about him and his ‘control over others.’”
Since working behind the scenes amid his cancer diagnosis and treatment, King Charles III held an audience at Buckingham Palace on May 7, 2024, where the Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka, was welcomed. Further occupying the King’s time was the premiere garden party of the season, which took place at Buckingham Palace on May 8, 2024.
King Charles III and the Prime Minister of Fiji Sitiveni Rabuka during an audience at Buckingham Palace on May 7, 2024, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Like his father, Prince Harry was also booked and busy. His time in the U.K. was spent on the Invictus Games’ anniversary which kicked off with a panel on May 7, 2024. Then, while at St. Paul’s Cathedral Prince Harry gave a reading.
Just like his relationship with his father, the Duke of Sussex also has a strained relationship with his brother Prince William. He candidly talked about the animosity between them during an interview on “Good Morning America.”
Asked how their late mother Princess Diana would feel about their estrangement, Prince Harry said, “I think she would be sad. I think she’d be looking at it long term, to know that there a certain things that we need to go through to be able to heal the relationship. The royal added he has felt his mother’s presence now more than before.
