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The royal family
Original poster

Harry should be allowed to wear military uniform

204 replies

AliceMcK · 13/09/2022 23:08

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.

OP posts:
Wouldloveanother · 14/09/2022 15:03

Those beautiful horses look very nervous. Has one in front of the coffin lost its rider?

Farmerazza · 14/09/2022 15:16

What has being a working royal have to do with his uniform?
My cousin got married in his Army uniform - he is not a working royal. He should be allowed to wear it if he wishes.

DeliberatelyObtuse · 14/09/2022 15:17

Does seem odd that Harry, who actually saw active service, can't wear uniform but Edward can turn up in the full regalia.

I know it's honorary or whatever but it seems a bit tone deaf.

Lampzade · 14/09/2022 15:19

DeliberatelyObtuse · 14/09/2022 15:17

Does seem odd that Harry, who actually saw active service, can't wear uniform but Edward can turn up in the full regalia.

I know it's honorary or whatever but it seems a bit tone deaf.

I agree

Farmerazza · 14/09/2022 15:19

Jellykat · 14/09/2022 14:32

Apologies for lowering the tone, but blimey William looks handsome..
Poor Anne though, she looks completely wiped out, as to be expected..

He looks a lot like Andrew nowadays.

Butitsnotfunnyisititsserious · 14/09/2022 15:20

momtoboys · 14/09/2022 14:32

I do not agree. He chose to give up the Royal life and all that came with it. He doesn't get to pick and choose.

Well that's it. He was made very clear what he was giving up and was happy to, he can't complain now.

JustLyra · 14/09/2022 15:25

Novella4 · 14/09/2022 09:23

Off topic but is it true that Charles has appointed Andrew to step in if he Charles ,
is incapacitated??

No doubt 'line of succession ' 'protocol' blah blah
They've had years to prepare .
Who on earth is advising them

No. Counsellors of state and Regents are being muddled up.

There are 4 or 5 counsellors of State. The first four people in the line or succession over 21 (or 18 of they are heir) plus the spouse of the monarch. They can, in pairs never alone, carry out very specific duties if the monarch is out of be country or unwell. For example together the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret were the ones to technically dissolve Parliament while the Queen was in Australia. They can only do specific duties and never alone. Andrew has been a CoS since he was 21. He’ll be replace automatically when Princess Charlotte turns 21.

The 5 current ones are Camilla, William, Harry, Andrew and Beatrice. So it’s highly unlikely that Andrew (or Harry now) will ever actually be needed.

For one person to personally fill in for Charles in all areas that would require a regent. The regent can only be the next in line who is over 21. So currently that would be William. Andrew is way down the line for that.

donquixotedelamancha · 14/09/2022 15:45

I also think it's petty

I don't understand why? It's not the RF's decision, it's the law. He'd be subject to a £400 fine.

If he wanted to stay in the armed forces he would have. If he wants to dress up he can still wear his medals and a little hat.

Does seem odd that Harry, who actually saw active service, can't wear uniform but Edward can turn up in the full regalia

I certainly think it's silly that we let the RF cosplay being in charge of bits of the military but we don't just let any random former soldier play dress up- just them.

What should Charles do: appoint Harry as a Field Marshal just for the funeral?

JacquelineCarlyle · 14/09/2022 16:35

Thanks @CaptainBarbosa - that's helpful. Guess it makes sense although it's not something I'd thought about before!

Norachance · 14/09/2022 16:41

Prince Edward only served three months in the marines and dropped out. Why does he get to wear a uniform and what are his medals for?!

mpsw · 14/09/2022 16:54

Norachance · 14/09/2022 16:41

Prince Edward only served three months in the marines and dropped out. Why does he get to wear a uniform and what are his medals for?!

Because he holds military appointments at present

His medals are the Jubilee ones

elizaregina · 14/09/2022 16:57

If Harry wants to he should.
This isn't him working as a royal is it?

And as for "work" he's paid his dues working for the family from the second he was shown odd on the steps of the hospital?

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 14/09/2022 16:58

Surprisingly, Sophie Wessex would be entitled to wear uniform as she is colonel in chief of two regiments. She didn’t, though.

Fluffymule · 14/09/2022 17:03

Norachance · 14/09/2022 16:41

Prince Edward only served three months in the marines and dropped out. Why does he get to wear a uniform and what are his medals for?!

Prince Edward's uniform wearing is nothing to do with his short 'service' in the Marines. It is ceremonial, representing his honorary titles given to him by the Queen, for example 'Royal Honorary Colonel of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry and The London Regiment' - it's part of him being a working Royal. He, like Harry, has no right to wear his ex regimental Marine uniform, as he left the service.

It's why Princess Anne, who has never served in the military is also in uniform. For example one of her honorary titles is 'Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Scots'.

Harry, as an ex Captain did not attain the rank during his service that allows him to wear his serving uniform now he has left the military. He is not a working Royal, and having chosen to leave and rescind his honorary military titles he has no uniform to wear. He holds no position represented by a uniform any more.

elizaregina · 14/09/2022 17:03

He's also more central than the others on screen so he's literally taking center stage.

I hope those bearers get special something's for this!!
The weight and stress of this!

milveycrohn · 14/09/2022 17:10

As fas as I know, you are technically not allowed to wear uniform if you are not a serving officer.
The other uniforms are for the Royals for their 'honorary' titles.
Harry was stripped of his honorary military title as he moved abroad, and could therfore not actually be their honourary leader if he was not here.
Andrew, voluntarily gave up his honourary titles;
So, in effect, neither wore their previous honourary military titles, and as non serving officers, are not entitled to wear the uniform of the unit they were formerly in.
ie

00100001 · 14/09/2022 17:20

elizaregina · 14/09/2022 16:57

If Harry wants to he should.
This isn't him working as a royal is it?

And as for "work" he's paid his dues working for the family from the second he was shown odd on the steps of the hospital?

Nonsense. He's not allowed to wear it. Nothing to do with anything apart from rules!

00100001 · 14/09/2022 17:24

DeliberatelyObtuse · 14/09/2022 15:17

Does seem odd that Harry, who actually saw active service, can't wear uniform but Edward can turn up in the full regalia.

I know it's honorary or whatever but it seems a bit tone deaf.

Tone deaf to follow the rules the military make...?

Who's getting offended?

00100001 · 14/09/2022 17:27

Farmerazza · 14/09/2022 15:16

What has being a working royal have to do with his uniform?
My cousin got married in his Army uniform - he is not a working royal. He should be allowed to wear it if he wishes.

Doesn't work like that.

notimagain · 14/09/2022 18:02

Farmerazza · 14/09/2022 15:16

What has being a working royal have to do with his uniform?
My cousin got married in his Army uniform - he is not a working royal. He should be allowed to wear it if he wishes.

Serving UK service personnel were always allowed to get married whilst wearing their uniform...probably still are.

Harry isn't currently serving and doesn't hold honorary rank.

Fluffymule · 14/09/2022 18:59

Just read this as part of an explainer piece on The Telegraph's website and thought it relevant to this thread (in their 'Royals' section if anyone wants to see the source piece)

"Rules are rules… and Prince Harry will understand his uniform ban

As a military veteran, Prince Harry will know that the rules are the rules.

He would likely have counselled his former soldiers that the deal, for example when attending a friend’s wedding, is that uniform is permitted only when serving.

The day after leaving, however, the former serviceperson becomes a veteran; no longer a serving member of the armed forces and therefore no longer able to wear the uniform of their previous unit.

That’s the deal. It is the same for non-working members of the Royal family.

Prince Harry will long ago have come to terms with it."

Original poster
AliceMcK · 14/09/2022 21:53

Just caught up. I was unaware of the rules on veterans wearing uniforms but it makes sense especially when I think about veterans I’ve seen at memorials just wearing their medals and hats.

I also now understand the rules why Andrew gets to wear a uniform at the vigil, not that I agree with it, but that probably because I can’t stand him, I really do hope The King completely cuts him off after the funeral.

OP posts:
CaptainBarbosa · 14/09/2022 22:05

Hats?! They aren't hats they are berets 🤣🤣 I can hear veterans screaming "I don't wear a hat!" Made me chuckle.

I'm only now catching up on the coverage, and all discussions of uniforms aside, I thought everyone looked lovely and it was very moving to see.

The military did and exceptional job today!

BCconrad · 16/09/2022 06:07

So much bloody fuss about uniforms from the two in the family who caused so much trouble. It's funeral, it's about the Queen but Andrew and Harry will have their egos.

Harry will wear his uniform feeling so proud, and all those who wear the same uniform WILL CRINGE when Markle holds his hand .

SpinCityBlues · 16/09/2022 06:16

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11216977/All-eight-Queen-grandchildren-including-William-Harry-Westminster-vigil.html

The Mail Online at its finest. Potential u-turn. Beatrice and Eugenie being shoe-horned in. Omid Scobie a 'source' <sigh> for the Palace 'caving in to public sentiment' blah blah.