Yahoo News Prince Harry now permitted to wear military uniform while honouring the late Queen
After reports circulated saying that, as was the case for his grandfather Prince Philip's funeral, Prince Harry is unable to wear a military uniform for the Queen's funeral (sparking very mixed reactions), it appears a "u-turn" – of sorts – has been made.
A new statement issued to the press says that Prince Harry will now be able to wear his Blues and Royals uniform as he joins his brother, Prince William, and their six cousins in remembering the late Queen. However, this will be as they stand vigil around Her Majesty's coffin in Westminster this Saturday, rather than at the actual funeral (on Monday 19 September).
This is said to be a change from the original plans and comes after Prince Harry's spokesperson urged the press and the public not to fixate on what he was wearing, but rather to keep the focus on his grandmother and her memory.
Via a Sussex spokesperson, a previous statement from Harry said: "[Prince Harry] will wear a morning suit throughout events honouring his grandmother. 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".
Discussing the new news on Twitter, royal reporter Omid Scobie, who is believed to have a good relationship with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, shared: "In a dramatic u-turn, palace officials have informed Prince Harry that he CAN wear his military uniform at a final vigil. On Saturday evening, Harry will join seven other grandchildren at Westminster Hall to stand in silence for 15 minutes by the Queen's coffin."
Scobie then added, "The reversal—first reported by The Mirror—follows Harry's statement saying his 'military service is not determined by the uniform he wears', but it is understood the Palace caved to public sentiment after thousands complained about the decision to ban him and not Prince Andrew."
Although Prince Harry is a military veteran, having served for ten years, even touring the likes of Afghanistan, the reason he is still (likely) not permitted to wear a uniform at the Queen's funeral next Monday is that after stepping down from his role as a senior working royal, he was stripped of any current military titles.
Once you are no longer in active military service, a blanket rule states that all former members of the British armed forces are then forbidden from wearing military dress, as by that point they're deemed to be civilians. It is, however, acceptable to wear your medals – something Prince Harry did, along with a black suit, during Wednesday's mourning procession for the Queen.
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