Prince William, symbolizing the monarchy's new era, was recently joined by King Charles III at an official event where he was formally promoted to the rank of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps.
According to a royal expert, this move was perceived as a significant setback for Prince Harry. King Charles arrived by helicopter and conducted a special ceremony to pass the command of the Army's Airborne unit to William. This unit holds particular significance for Harry, who had served as part of the Air Corps flying Apaches during his time in Afghanistan.
Speculation had surrounded whether Harry would assume the role of its Patron due to his connection with the regiment. However, following his departure from royal duties in 2020, the palace announced Prince William's appointment to the position. The formalization of the handover was made public last week, coinciding with Harry's revelation that his father had declined to meet him during his UK visit in August 2023.
Following his accession, King Charles was pleased to announce military appointments, including that the Prince of Wales would become Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps. This role was previously held by His Majesty the King as Prince of Wales for 31 years, according to a palace spokesperson. Duncan Larcombe, former royal editor of The Sun, remarked that William's appointment as the head of Prince Harry's old regiment is a significant blow to Harry. It really will have gotten under his skin as it is one of the few things he truly excelled at. Additionally, the sight of William and his father so closely and visibly united today makes a striking contrast to the events of last week when Charles went to great lengths to avoid being seen with Harry.
A royal expert suggests that King Charles is hesitant to reintegrate Prince Harry into the royal family due to compelling reasons. In 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle chose to step back from their roles within the royal family. Since then, Harry has made controversial statements about royal life, reportedly causing distress within the family. Despite rumors of Harry's desire for reconciliation with his father and brother, the path to reunion is fraught with challenges. According to a royal expert, Harry must carefully consider the consequences of his actions before expecting acceptance back into the fold, particularly from his father.
Renowned photographer Arthur Edwards MBE shared his perspective with The Sun, describing Harry as the prodigal son who needs to reflect on his actions and the harm they may have caused. The alleged damage stems from Harry's remarks in his Netflix series and his autobiography "Spare," where he criticized Queen Camilla and accused her of prioritizing her own image over his well-being.
Edwards suggested that King Charles may be wary of Harry's interactions with individuals who could potentially provide material for future publications or interviews, leading to further discord within the family. Moreover, Harry's words about Camilla in his memoir reportedly deeply affected Charles, making forgiveness challenging. Edwards implied that the King may have expressed strong disapproval of Harry's actions.
Another expert, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams, highlighted the erosion of trust between the Sussexes and other members of the royal family. Fitzwilliams suggested that the Sussexes' public disclosures, including interviews and publications, damaged the reputation of the monarchy and diminished trust in Harry and Meghan. During Harry's recent visit to the UK for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, he reportedly sought a meeting with his father but was unable to due to Charles's busy schedule. A spokesperson clarified that the King's commitments prevented a meeting at the time, emphasizing Harry's understanding of his father's obligations and expressing hope for a future reunion.
This complex interplay of familial and public dynamics continues to shape the evolving narrative of the British royal family, reflecting both personal and institutional challenges.
