As a coffin topped with the Imperial State Crown carriedQueen Elizabeth IIfrom Buckingham Palace through London to Westminster Hall Wednesday, members of theroyal family followed in procession.
WhileKing Charles III, his siblings — includingPrincess AnneandPrince Edward— and his sonPrince Williamwore military uniforms, his brotherPrince Andrewand younger sonPrince Harrydid not.
Buckingham Palace confirmed Monday that at the five major ceremonial events leading up to, and includingthe Queen’s state funeralon Monday, only working members of the royal family who hold military rank will wear military uniforms.
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Because Andrew, 62, and Harry, 37, are no longer senior working royals, the princes wore dark suits appropriate as mourning dress at Wednesday’s procession rather than military finery, despite their service in the British Armed Forces.
Prince Harry.MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images
As they processed past the Cenotaph, a war memorial on Whitehall,Prince Harryand Prince Andrew bowed as their family members in uniform gave a salute.
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Harry, who served in the British Army for a decade and was deployed to Afghanistan twice, lost his three honorary military titles (Captain General of the Royal Marines, Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Honington and Commodore-in-Chief, Small Ships and Diving, Royal Naval Command) when he and wifeMeghan Marklestepped back from their senior royal roles in March 2020.
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The spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex told PEOPLE in a statement earlier this week that he will wear a “morning suit throughout events honoring his grandmother.”
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However, a special exception has been made for Prince Andrew to wear a military uniform at the final vigil as a sign of respect for his mother and monarchwho died “peacefully” at age 96at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on Thursday.
source: people.com
