Only “working” members of the Royal Family will be allowed to wear military dress at the Queen’s funeral on Monday. This decision, which emanates from King Charles, thus requires his son Harry and his brother Andrew to attend the ceremony with a jacket, despite their years of service in the army.
Harry’s spokesman said on Tuesday that the prince would “wear a dress to events honoring his grandmother.” “His decade in the military is not determined by the uniform he wears, and we respectfully request that the focus be on the life and legacy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” the spokesperson added.
Prince Harry served 10 years in the British Army, rising to the rank of captain. But in giving up his role prominent in the royal family in 2020, and by moving to California, he ceased to be an active member of the royal family. Despite two tours in Afghanistan, the prince is now only entitled to wear his service medals in civilian dress. He also lost his military titles, particularly in the Royal Marines.
Stripped of their military titles
For Prince Andrew, the situation is a bit different. He was stripped of his military titles and removed from public life after the sexual scandal he suffered. The prince also has a long service in the army. In particular, he participated in the Falklands War in 1982.
The prince was sued in a civil suit in the United States by the American Virginia Giuffre, a victim of the late American billionaire. Jeffrey Epstein who accused her of sexual assault when she was 17 years old. If Andrew managed to avoid a lawsuit thanks to a confidential agreement, her image is definitely ruined.
During the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, Prince Andrew promptly tested positive for Covid, and did not appear in public.
In April 2021, at Prince Philip’s funeral, all members of the British royal family were in civilian clothes. The queen had decided so to avoid having to decide on the right of princes Harry and Andrew to wear military uniform.
Source: BFM TV
