TO SINGLE out Prince Harry as the only member of the Royal Family not to be allowed to wear a uniform as his grandmother’s coffin lies in state looks vindictive.
The Duke of Sussex was a real warrior princes who fought bravely in battle.
To refuse Harry, who fought bravely on two tours in the UK’s most deadly conflict, Afghanistan, the chance to wear his Captain’s uniform is not only absurd but a PR mistake.
By coming to this decision at a time of national mourning for Her Majesty the Queen, the Royal Family look like hypocrites.
Like the Queen’s father, King George VI, who fought at the Battle of Jutland in World War I and Prince Philip – Mentioned in Dispatches during WWII – Harry saw action and put his life on the line.
On his first tour of Afghanistan he was almost killed just days before he was pulled out after ten weeks in the theatre of war.
Read More On The Queen’s Death
I’m a body language expert – I know Harry wanted to do more at Queen’s service
How haunted Harry revealed telling signs that he was dreading seeing coffin
The then 23-year-old officer had to dive for cover as a rocket exploded just 50 metres from him.
Shrapnel from a 170mm missile whistled narrowly over the heads of Harry and his patrol.
Fortunately Harry and his men escaped unscathed from the incident, which happened during operations outside Musa Qala in Helmand Province.
Days later, Harry was withdrawn from active service after a news blackout was blown by foreign media.
Most read in News
My son came home with marks on his hand… I was horrified when he told me why
Charles leads Royals in sombre procession behind Queen’s coffin to Westminster
At least 16 dead & 20 hurt as bus packed with schoolkids plunges into gorge
Charles’ staff left heartbroken as they're axed during Queen church service
When his uncle Prince Andrew returned from the Falklands, he arrived with a red rose in his mouth to a hero’s welcome and the country was thrilled.
When Harry returned there was no celebration.
He came back without fanfare on a plane which carried the bodies of two of his colleagues plus seriously injured men like Royal Marine Ben McBean, who lost an arm and a leg.
His cover blown, Harry was upset that he had to return from the front line.
No one has ever doubted that this is a man who fought for Queen and country.
Harry referred to his grandmother as his commander-in-chief and his guiding compass.
He’s a soldier through and through and that should be respected.
His work with the Invictus Games alone should mean he be allowed to wear the uniform.
Prince Andrew has been given special dispensation to wear his uniform one more time.
I totally understand that the King and Prince William must wear their uniforms, but neither saw action.
With respect to the Earl of Wessex, he couldn’t complete his Royal Marine training but is allowed to wear uniform as honorary Colonel of the London Regiment.
Read More on The Sun
Royal fans complain about ‘disrespectful’ gestures at Queen’s procession
Heartbroken fans say same thing about Harry & William in Queen’s procession
Why don’t the Royal Family offer Harry an olive branch and let him wear his uniform as a captain – the one he wore on the frontline – not an honorary rank.
To single out Harry in this way just looks wrong.
- Robert Jobson is author of Harry’s War: The True Story of the Soldier Prince.
Source: Read Full Article
