Prince Philip heartbreak: Duke wanted Harry to keep military roles but Queen rejected bid
PRINCE PHILIP wished for Prince Harry to keep his military roles despite having stepped down as a working Royal Family member but was forced to back down after the Queen's ruling.
Prince Philip: Expert on ‘hopes’ over Prince Harry’s military roles
Royal expert Simon Vigar discussed the importance of the military roles of the Royal Family to Prince Philip. While speaking on Jeremy Vine on Five, Mr Vigar explained Prince Philip wished Prince Harry to maintain his military roles despite stepping down as a senior royal. He added, the Queen made it very clear earlier this year that was not possible, to the disappointment of both Dukes.
Mr Vigar said: "Prince Harry, for a short time was Captain-General of the Royal Marines.
"This was one of the many duties that Prince Philip passed on to Harry in recent years.
"Another is the field of remembrance at Westminster Abby before Remembrance Sunday.
"Clearly Prince Philip hoped, as did Prince Harry, that this would continue.
DON'T MISS: Prince Harry ‘feels guilty’ he couldn’t say goodbye to Prince Philip
"But the Queen made it very clear earlier this year that Prince Harry would have to surrender his military patronages.
"The Royal Marines was one of Prince Philip's most important patronages.
"The Royal Marines will be one of the pallbearer parties here on Saturday.
"I think that was Prince Harry making a point, once a royal marine, always a royal marine."
Prince Philip’s funeral ‘first steps’ for Harry and William says expert
Due to stepping down as a senior royal, Prince Harry is expected to be wearing a suit to his grandfather's funeral on Saturday, not his military uniform.
This will be in great contrast to his father and brother, Prince Charles and Prince William, who will be wearing their uniforms at the event.
Prince Philip’s funeral will take place next Saturday at Windsor Castle’s St George’s Chapel.
The service will be televised with a national minute’s silence held across the UK at 3pm.
READ MORE:
Due to coronavirus regulations, there will only be 30 mourners in attendance who will all be wearing protective face masks.
Harry will return from California to attend, his first royal engagement since last month’s incendiary interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Prince Harry's wife, Meghan Markle, won't be attending as reports indicate she is too heavily pregnant to fly.