With the Royal Family out in force today at the Cenotaph for Remembrance Sunday, Prince Harry, who served in Afghanistan, was not among them
As the nation fell silent today to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, it was led by the Royal Family. King Charles took the lead by laying the first wreath at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday, followed by Prince William as Queen Camilla and the Princess of Wales looked on.
But not among them was one royal who served for 10 years in the Army, completing two tours of duty in Afghanistan – Prince Harry. Instead, he carried out a series of Remembrance-related events last week in Toronto, while also releasing a personal essay.
In the piece, titled “The Bond, The Banter, The Bravery: What it means to be British – By Prince Harry”, the duke acknowledged that although he “currently” lives in the US, he reflects that “Britain is, and always will be, the country I proudly served and fought for”.
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He described Remembrance as “not simply a minute’s silence” but “a call to collective responsibility”. And for former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond, Harry’s words were very telling. She explained to the Mirror : “The word that stood out for me in that essay was ‘currently’.
“Harry said ‘although I may currently live in the United States’…..which does suggest that he doesn’t yet see his move there as necessarily permanent.
“There’s obviously a lot about his homeland that he misses: a pint of beer, a cup of tea, the banter of the mess. But you can be nostalgic about a past life — and still be happy in your new one. And I think Harry is genuinely happy in California with his wife and children. For now.”
Harry has not taken part at events at the Cenotaph since 2019 after he and Meghan quite the UK and royal life in 2020. He was said to be “saddened and disappointed” not to have had a wreath laid on his behalf at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday that year.
When he stepped down as a working royal, Harry was stripped of his military posts, including his role as Captain General of the Royal Marines.
It was reported at the time Harry’s wreath had been made but after his request to have it laid at the Cenotaph was refused, it laid unused in a box at the Royal British Legion’s Kent HQ. In the biography Finding Freedom, it is claimed his request was denied because he was no longer a “frontline royal”.
And Jennie added: “Harry was hurt to the quick when he was told a wreath could not be laid at the Cenotaph on his behalf, after he stepped back as a working royal. His Army days were some of the most important of his life, and I do have some sympathy with him over this.
“I don’t see what harm it could possibly have done to allow him, albeit remotely, to pay tribute to his fellow comrades in arms. So now he is doing it his way: flying to Canada to meet veterans and support military charities.
“And I think he is playing a valuable role in doing so he should simply have shifted his visit by a few days to be there closer to Remembrance Day itself — and avoid the clash with William.
“I’m sure that he would jump at the chance to be part of the commemorations at the Cenotaph— but while the rift with William continues, that day is a very long way off.”
Source: Mirror
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