Harry should be allowed to wear military uniform

[AliceMcK]

Regardless of what anyone thinks of him or him no longer being a senior working Royal he should be fully entitled to wear his military uniform. He fought on the front line, he’d would have stayed in the army if the press hadn’t put him and other soldiers at risk, he has done so much for veterans, far more than anyone else in the royal family. His military uniform was earned not bestowed on him as an honorary title, yet he’s not allowed to wear it to his grandmothers funeral.

I would have no problem with him wearing the uniform with the rank he achieved and the medals he earned. What he should not get to do is waltz around in a fancy gold braided uniform he only received for being a working royal, which he no longer is.

He went to a Disney premiere instead of the military function he had booked for. He didn’t want the Army then.

Will other Royals be in military uniform, or in black morning dress?

@Surtsey apparently uniform, including Andrew.

It's not a dress up costume but a uniform held for his current military position not his past exploits in the army. He doesn't have military position or rank as the other royals do so he can't wear a uniform.

Harry of his own free will opted out of being a working royal. As a consequence the Queen stripped him of his military role. King Charles would not dare go against his mother's wishes on this. Harry only ranked as Captain in 10 years. Other titles were honorary ones given by Queen. I don't believe a Captain is permitted to wear uniform out of army or use Caption title. Harry chose to tout Meghan for Lion King talk over and snubbed his long standing engagement with military role. Mourning can occur in a suit as well as uniform. Andrew is only being allowed to wear uniform for final vigil not other aspects of funeral.

I agree. He served two tours of the gulf war. His military career has nothing to do with his bow out of royal duties

Not true. Of course a captain is permitted to wear his uniform.
My cousin was a captain and wore his to my dad's funeral

@maddy68 - I think you are misreading the comment made. Harry is no longer a serving Captain and under the military uniform rules that apply in the UK he can not wear his uniform.

I take it your cousin was a serving Captain at the time of your family funeral which is of course his serving uniform would be permitted.

I meant to say "cannot wear his uniform on this particular occasion" . There are some circumstances, in the UK, when past officers may wear their uniforms.

The optics are bad on this, if Andrew is allowed to wear a uniform at all after his exploits and this is denied to Harry then you can see where their priorities lie.

Andrew is the late Queen's son. Harry is a Grandson.

Yes, but some think it's really a bit naff. There's meant to be an "R" badge on it somewhere (can't remember, never seen in RL as it's very rarely done) so there is no confusion with a serving officer

It's for Lt Col (and equivalents) and above only

Andrew retired as a Commander (Lt Col equivalent)

Only exception is, I think, certain staff roles at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. The officers there are all retired Army and have a unique uniform, butt can wear the ginger drinking suit if they fancy (with I think Royal Hospital insignia rather than rank slides)

@mpsw "Yes, but some think it's really a bit naff"

I agree but those are the regulations. And we all know what the forces are like, regulations must be adhered to otherwise there would be chaos.

It's not compulsory - it's a 'you can wear it' not 'you must wear it'

So not doing it is a perfectly valid option which completely accords with regulations

So there's free rein to think it's utterly naff. Not wrong or non-regulation, just naff

Harry is no longer a working royal so not entitled to wear a ‘ceremonial’ uniform. He also is not a retired officer (ie Andrew) so not entitled to wear one on that account either. He didn’t retire from the military, he quit.

I think he should just do what the Queen wanted tbh. It's her funeral.

I also think it's petty and will just stoke Harry's (already considerable) feelings of grievance against his family. The fact that Andrew, who is disgraced and has also been stripped of his honorary military titles, will be allowed to wear uniform for one part of the mourning, will make Harry even more angry. If I were the RF, I wouldn't be giving him anything else to be furious about, as they still have plenty to lose and this is a small thing for them, but a huge thing for Harry.

TBH, I find it rather sad that the two members of the RF who have actually seen active service (whatever else they've done or not done in their lives), are the two who aren't allowed to wear uniform.

He left the Royal Family. His choice. He can't then expect to keep the bits he fancied keeping, it's not how it works is it?

We don't know how Harry feels about this any way do we?

As far as I can see, it's only the Meghan and Harry fans that have a problem with it?

I've no particular opinion on this - presumably the queen was asked about it and made her wishes clear after the drama at PP's funeral?

Either way, I found Harry's statement on the subject petulant and transparent.

I'm definitely not a fan of Meghan and Harry! I think the pair of them are whiney, entitled, greedy, crass hypocrites. But denying the two people who did actually serve their country the right to wear a uniform, unlike the other royals who'll be poncing about in military uniforms on the day, feels petty to me.

Andrew will wear his uniform at the vigil. It has been confirmed that none of the grandchildren will take a part in the vigil. Neither Andrew or Harry will wear uniform at the actual funeral. Just for info.

I'm glad he's not wearing it, especially if Andrew does - it'll highlight what a farce the whole thing is!

Andrew isn't.