Prince Harry was devastated to learn that King Charles had bestowed a new honor upon his brother, Prince William, while he was in the UK for a visit. The announcement that William would be made colonel-in-chief of the Army Air Corps, a unit Harry personally served with in Afghanistan, left him in tears. The timing of the announcement, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, was seen as a deliberate move to show that Harry is no longer welcome in the royal family. Royal expert Tom Quinn claimed that the gesture was meant to send a message to Harry that he is being cut off from his old life and set adrift permanently.
Both Prince William and Prince Harry are trained military pilots, but their paths in the military differed. Harry served in the Army Air Corps during his second tour of Afghanistan until 2014, while William served as a search and rescue pilot and later as an air ambulance pilot. Harry was expected to spend time with King Charles, who is fighting cancer, during his visit to the UK, but any reunion did not occur. The reasons for this missed meeting are unclear, but it is speculated that William being made colonel-in-chief of the Army Air Corps may have influenced the situation.
Since stepping down as a senior royal in 2020, Prince Harry has been estranged from his father, King Charles, and his brother, Prince William. This marks a significant shift from their previous close relationship, which included camaraderie with William’s wife, Princess Kate. During his recent visit to the UK, Harry also did not see Kate, who is currently battling cancer. Despite the family tensions, Harry now resides in Montecito, Calif. with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their two children, far removed from the royal drama unfolding in the UK.
The decision by King Charles to bestow an honor upon Prince William that was significant to Harry has widened the rift between the brothers. The move was seen as a deliberate snub to Harry, showing that he is no longer part of the inner circle of the royal family. Royal expert Tom Quinn emphasized that by taking away the things Harry loved and felt connected to in his old life, he is being forced to confront the consequences of his decision to step back from royal duties. The message is clear – betraying the family has long-lasting repercussions.
The emotional toll on Prince Harry from the news of William’s honor is evident, with reports of tears and feelings of being marginalized and underrated. The brothers’ shared history in the military adds an extra layer of significance to this decision. Despite their differing roles and experiences, both William and Harry have dedicated themselves to serving in the military in different capacities. The announcement about the Army Air Corps was a personal blow to Harry, as it highlighted a bond that he shared with his brother and felt was significant in his life.
As Prince Harry navigates his new life away from the royal family, he faces challenges and losses that come from distancing himself from his past. The tension and emotions surrounding the decision to a bestow a new honor on Prince William during Harry’s visit to the UK underscores the complexities of their relationship and the shifting dynamics within the royal family. Harry’s decision to break away has resulted in consequences that affect not only his own life but also his connections to his family and the traditions he once held dear.
