AS the world mourns the Queen and celebrates her life today, all eyes are on the Royal Family.
While leading royals are allowed to wear military attire, Prince Harry and Prince Andrew have been barred from doing so.
Prince Harry is donning a morning suit with his medals for the Queen’s funeral service
Why is Prince Harry not wearing a military uniform at the Queen’s funeral?
Prince Harry was not expected to wear his military uniform at the Queen’s funeral.
The Duke of Sussex, who quit royal life back in 2020, is wearing a morning suit instead – as he did for Prince Philip’s funeral last year.
It comes as…
- Solemn King Charles leads the Royal Family in an emotional procession behind the Queen’s coffin
- Princess Charlotte, 7, and Prince George, 9, arrived at Westminster Abbey with mum Kate Middleton
- Meghan Markle bowed her head as she joined the Royals
- Prince Andrew wore a suit after being banned from his military uniform
- Two thousand mourners including world leaders gathered for the funeral
Only working royals are allowed to don military attire as Her Majesty is laid to rest.
And Harry was relieved of his military titles last year, with the Queen expressing her sadness at the time.
It was decided he would be allowed to wear his military uniform on Saturday for a vigil at the Queen’s coffin by her eight grandchildren.
But pair were seen dressed in morning suits for the Queen’s coffin procession after being blocked from wearing military uniforms.
Why is Prince Andrew not wearing a military uniform at the Queen’s funeral?
Prince Andrew was banned from wearing a uniform for the historic event after he was stripped of his military titles and royal patronages.
The Duke of York was seen in a morning suit as his mother was laid to rest.
He was dressed in the same attire for Prince Philip’s funeral.
Just like Harry, he was only allowed to wear his uniform as a “special mark of respect” for the Queen at the final vigil in Westminster Hall.
The duke is allowed to wear his medals – as he did during the Queen’s procession today – for all other events.
They included a South Atlantic Medal, Silver, Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilee medals and Royal Navy Long Service Medals with bars.
He also wore a Canadian Forces Decoration with bar and a New Zealand Commemoration medal.
A Palace source had earlier confirmed Andrew would not be in a military outfit.
They said: “As a non-working member of the Royal Family, the Duke of York will not wear uniform.”
Andrew was stripped of his military patronages last year over his links with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The King, the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal and the Earl of Wessex, will all parade in military uniform at various events over the coming days as the nation mourns their beloved Queen.
When were Prince Harry and Andrew in the military?
Prince Harry
After completing his Sandhurst training Harry joined the Blues and Royals in April 2006.
In February 2008, the MoD confirmed Harry had been secretly deployed to Helmand Province in Afghanistan.
He was promoted promoted to the rank of Captain in April 2011.
Harry was sent to Camp Bastion in southern Afghanistan with the Army Air Corps on a 20-week tour in September 2012.
His military career came to an end in June 2015.
Harry was awarded several medals for his decade-long military career.
Prince Andrew
The Duke of York’s service during the Falklands War as a helicopter pilot is recognised with his South Atlantic Medal 1982 with Rosette.
He also has his mum’s Jubilee medals.
The Canadian Decoration was given to Andrew in 2001 and he will also wear the New Zealand Commemoration Medal, which he was awarded in 1990.
His Long Service and Good Conduct Medal with 2 Bars honours his service with the Royal Navy.
Andrew was stripped of his royal title and royal patronages in January 2022.
Essentially, a “royal patronage” is when a member of the Royal Family becomes an official patron, or sponsor, of an organisation.
