In a statement through his spokesperson, the Duke of Sussex shares that he hopes people keep the focus on his late grandmother, who passed away 'peacefully' at the age of 96 last week.
- Sep 14, 2022
AceShowbiz - Prince Harry wants people to keep the focus on his late grandmother. The Duke of Sussex has responded to chatters about him not being allowed to wear his military uniform during ceremonial events for Queen Elizabeth II.
His spokesperson said in a statement to E! News, "Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex will wear a morning suit throughout events honoring his grandmother." The statement continued, "His decade of military service is not determined by the uniform he wears and we respectfully ask that focus remain on the life and legacy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II."
As a non-working member of the royal family, Harry wasn't permitted to wear the garments at any of the five traditional events leading up to the late monarch's funeral. That included the final vigil which took place in Westminster Hall.
Buckingham Palace confirmed on Monday, September 12 that at the five major ceremonial events leading up to and including the Queen's state funeral, only working members of the royal family who hold military rank will wear military uniforms. However, Harry's uncle Prince Andrew, who is also a non-working member of the royal family, has been granted permission to wear his military uniform, but only at the final vigil.
Royal expert Shannon Felton Spence explained to Fox News Digital that Harry's response "is very big of him." Shannon went on to note, "Besides his wife and children, his military service is the thing that he is most proud of in his life. And he should be. We should all be grateful to Harry for his service. He served twice in Afghanistan under increased threat to him and his entire unit because of his status. And he did it anyway."
Harry served in the British Army for 10 years and was deployed to Afghanistan twice. The 37-year-old royal lost his honorary military titles, Captain General of the Royal Marines, Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Honington and Commodore-in-Chief, Small Ships and Diving, Royal Naval Command, when he and his wife Meghan Markle stepped down as a senior royal before moving to California in 2020.
Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8. In the wake of her passing, Harry penned a tribute to his "granny" which read, "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." He added, "I cherish these times shared with you, and the many other special moments in between."
