Prince Harry's Latest Royal Snub Is Sparking A Twitter Uproar
Official royal rules and protocols are always a bit confusing for us here in the United States, but even Americans have noticed that Prince Harry seems to be getting short-shrift from The Firm in the wake of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth's death. For one thing, it was reported that his wife, Meghan Markle, was not invited to join the rest of the royal family at the queen's bedside at Balmoral Castle, according to Entertainment Tonight, which seems pretty harsh.
The latest royal snub that has Harry's fans and supporters on Twitter up in arms has to do with how he'll be allowed to dress at the late monarch's funeral. (Yes, even dress codes have layered meaning for the royals.) Of all the royal family members, Prince Harry was the most actively involved in his military service, which is what inspired him to start the Invictus Games for wounded veterans. But since he officially quit royal life, he was also stripped of his military titles, according to Page Six, and so he won't be allowed to wear his military uniform to the funeral.
This has struck many people on the internet as especially unfair, especially since this rule doesn't seem to apply to everyone in the royal family.
Prince Harry seems to have been singled out
Prince Harry, who served in the British military for 10 years, will not be allowed to wear his military uniform at any ceremonial events for the queen's funeral, according to Omid Scobie. However Prince Andrew, who was stripped of his military titles not by choice, but because of his connection to Jeffrey Epstein and allegations of sexual abuse, will be allowed to wear his military uniform at the final vigil for the queen.
Official reports predict that Harry will be "saddened" by this decision, while his supporters on Twitter are straight up outraged. "Prince Harry has earned his medals," one person tweeted angrily. "He served for 10 years, undertaking two tours in Afghanistan. He now serves those troops across the world with the #InvictusGames. He deserves to wear his uniform with pride." Another Twitter user pointed out, "Military uniform is NOT for PR." The irony of Harry's military service compared with the rest of the family wasn't lost on much of Twitter. "Prince Harry not allowed to wear military uniform when he is the only one went to war," one person wrote.
Many people noted this protocol seemed directed at Harry specifically, perhaps having something to do with his wife. "Seems the royal rules to deny the use of military uniform have been especially made to exclude Prince Harry," one person tweeted. "Once again Prince Harry is punished for marrying a biracial woman," tweeted another.
Prince Harry also didn't wear his uniform to Prince Philip's funeral
With this latest snub, followers of the royal family were reminded that Prince Harry also didn't wear his military uniform to his grandfather's funeral, either. When Prince Philip died at the age of 99 in April 2021, members of the royal family donned "Morning Coat with medals [and] Day Dress" (via Town and Country). That meant that everyone simply wore dark suits to the service. It was a major break in tradition, as royal family members that hold military rank typically wear uniforms to state events.
According to Us Weekly, Prince Philip didn't officially receive a state funeral as COVID-19 was sweeping the globe — presenting a major shift in funeral processions. It was a convenient excuse to some in regards to dress code, as there were questions as to who would be allowed to wear their military uniform to Prince Philip's service. After all, Prince Harry just had been stripped of his military titles earlier that year. There was also great public outrage with the allegations surrounding Prince Andrew, who holds military rank as well. It was reported that Buckingham Palace chose the official funeral attire for Prince Philip's funeral to avoid making any additional waves. However, before Queen Elizabeth's death, the royal family had already appeared to make its stance on Prince Harry's lack of titles clear.
Prince Harry had been snubbed at the queen's Platinum Jubilee
Of course, the public has seen Prince Harry continue to be brushed off by Buckingham Palace. During Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee in June, the celebration kicked off with the Trooping the Color parade to celebrate both the queen's birthday and historic reign. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had both returned to the U.K. again to join the festivities. However, though the parade was an historic moment, the two did not stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with other members of the royal family. The queen had limited the balcony to "Her Majesty and those members of the Royal Family who are currently undertaking official public duties on behalf of the Queen," a Buckingham Palace spokesperson shared in a statement at the time.
The prince and his wife were also assigned seating away from King Charles and Prince William during the Jubilee's national service of Thanksgiving. According to royal biographer Tom Bower (via Newsweek), it was another move authorized by the queen herself. The Platinum Jubilee was the first time that couple had visited the U.K. together since they stepped down as working royals as well as their unprecedented interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021. The decision was reportedly made to avoid the couple's arrival overshadowing the service. However, with these continual snubs, it seems that Prince Harry and Meghan's relationship with the royal family is still on ice.