Prince Harry has been denied the chance to wear military uniform as he mourns the Queen, even though his disgraced uncle Prince Andrew will be permitted to do so at a lying in state vigil.
Harry, who saw action on the front line during two tours of duty in Afghanistan, will be in civilian dress for official events including the late monarch’s state funeral. Only working royals – which Harry and Andrew are not – are being permitted to dress in uniform at five ceremonial occasions. These are the St Giles’ Cathedral service in Edinburgh, which took place earlier where Andrew wore a morning suit, and the coffin’s procession to Westminster Hall, the vigil at the lying in state, the funeral in Westminster Abbey and the committal service in Windsor.
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However, Andrew, who stepped down from public life after the furore over his friendship with paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein and later had his honorary titles stripped, will be wearing uniform for the final vigil around the Queen’s coffin during the lying in state in Westminster Hall.
He is being allowed to wear it as a special mark of respect for his later mother- but not on the other occasions.
It is likely to be a bitter blow for ex-solder Harry, who is proud of his decade in the forces, and who was saddened after being stripped of his honorary military roles including Captain General of the Royal Marines by the Queen post-Megxit.
A source confirmed Harry – whose rank is a captain – would not be in uniform for any events.
Harry lost his honorary military titles after deciding to step down as a senior working royal with wife Meghan in 2020.
At the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral in April 2021, the issue of uniform was dealt with by the Queen who decided that no members of the royal family should wear uniform. It was a break with tradition but seen as the most eloquent solution to a host of problems.
Reports had suggested Andrew was considering wearing the uniform of an admiral. He was due to be promoted to Admiral in 2020 to mark his 60th birthday but this did not go ahead following the fallout from his disastrous Newsnight appearance.
Earlier today, Harry issued a personal and emotional tribute to his grandmother the Queen following her death at the age of 96 on Thursday.
His tribute talked about his "darling wife" Meghan meeting Her Majesty and his children Archie and Lilibet hugging their great-grandmother.
In a statement released this morning, he said: ""In celebrating the life of my grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen—and in mourning her loss—we are all reminded of the guiding compass she was to so many in her commitment to service and duty.
"She was globally admired and respected.
"Her unwavering grace and dignity remained true throughout her life and now her everlasting legacy.
"Let us echo the words she spoke after the passing of her husband, Prince Philip, words which can bring comfort to all of us now: “Life, of course, consists of final partings as well as first meetings.
"Granny, while this final parting brings us great sadness, I am forever grateful for all of our first meetings—from my earliest childhood memories with you, to meeting you for the first time as my Commander-in-Chief, to the first moment you met my darling wife and hugged your beloved great-grandchildren.
"I cherish these times shared with you, and the many other special moments in between.
"You are already sorely missed, not just by us, but by the world over. And as it comes to first meetings, we now honour my father in his new role as King Charles III.
"Thank you for your commitment to service. "Thank you for your sound advice. "Thank you for your infectious smile.
"We, too, smile knowing that you and grandpa are reunited now, and both together in peace."
You can leave your tributes to Queen Elizabeth II here.
