Prince Harry was reportedly brought to tears after King Charles conferred a prestigious military honor upon his elder brother, Prince William, heightening the ongoing royal family tensions. According to royal expert Tom Quinn, the timing of the announcement seemed designed to deepen the strain, coinciding with Harry’s return to London to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games—an event significantly meaningful to him.
On this emotionally charged day, Buckingham Palace declared that William, 41, would be appointed as colonel-in-chief of the Army Air Corps. This role was notably significant as Harry, 39, had served with distinction in the same unit during his deployment in Afghanistan. Quinn described the decision as “a real kick in the teeth for the son who always felt marginalized and underrated,” suggesting the announcement was a deliberate snub.
The designation of this role to William, whom Harry reportedly views as a central figure in his personal struggles, added an extra layer of hurt. Quinn articulated the symbolic weight of the appointment, saying, “They [the royal family] have decided the gloves are off and that Harry needs to realize that when you betray the family, you don’t just escape the things you hated doing as a working royal—you also lose the things you loved.”
This event underscores the deep divisions within the royal family, with Harry having stepped down as a senior royal in 2020 and now living in California with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their children. His brief return to the UK was marked not only by his absence at family gatherings but also by this poignant military honor bestowed upon his brother, signifying perhaps a final severing of his ties to his former life within the British military and royal duties.
Prince William, while not involved in active combat, served as a search and rescue pilot and later as an air ambulance pilot, roles that have endeared him in the public eye. Meanwhile, Harry’s contributions during his second tour in Afghanistan and subsequent veteran advocacy, highlighted by his involvement with the Invictus Games, paint a picture of a prince deeply connected to his military roots, making this latest development particularly poignant.
This complex weave of personal achievements, familial duty, and public service continues to unfold publicly, reflecting the challenging dynamics of modern royal responsibilities and personal desires.
On this emotionally charged day, Buckingham Palace declared that William, 41, would be appointed as colonel-in-chief of the Army Air Corps. This role was notably significant as Harry, 39, had served with distinction in the same unit during his deployment in Afghanistan. Quinn described the decision as “a real kick in the teeth for the son who always felt marginalized and underrated,” suggesting the announcement was a deliberate snub.
The designation of this role to William, whom Harry reportedly views as a central figure in his personal struggles, added an extra layer of hurt. Quinn articulated the symbolic weight of the appointment, saying, “They [the royal family] have decided the gloves are off and that Harry needs to realize that when you betray the family, you don’t just escape the things you hated doing as a working royal—you also lose the things you loved.”
This event underscores the deep divisions within the royal family, with Harry having stepped down as a senior royal in 2020 and now living in California with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their children. His brief return to the UK was marked not only by his absence at family gatherings but also by this poignant military honor bestowed upon his brother, signifying perhaps a final severing of his ties to his former life within the British military and royal duties.
Prince William, while not involved in active combat, served as a search and rescue pilot and later as an air ambulance pilot, roles that have endeared him in the public eye. Meanwhile, Harry’s contributions during his second tour in Afghanistan and subsequent veteran advocacy, highlighted by his involvement with the Invictus Games, paint a picture of a prince deeply connected to his military roots, making this latest development particularly poignant.
This complex weave of personal achievements, familial duty, and public service continues to unfold publicly, reflecting the challenging dynamics of modern royal responsibilities and personal desires.
Source Agencies
