Prince Harry has responded to claims that he has been barred from wearing a ceremonial military uniform at Queen Elizabeth’s funeral.
While the Duke of Sussex has been banned from donning the military outfit out of respect, scandal-prone Prince Andrew has been given an exception.
While both Prince Harry and Prince Andrew served in the military, neither men are working royals.
A Buckingham Palace edict stipulated that only working royals would be allowed to wear military uniforms at events to mark the Queen’s death, making many wonder why Prince Andrew was granted an exception after his years of ongoing scandals.
US TV network CNN today reported that the prince had issued a statement over the clothing controversy.
“Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex will wear a morning suit throughout events honouring his grandmother,” a spokesman for the Sussexes told CNN.
“His decade of military service is not determined by the uniform he wears and we respectfully ask that focus remain on the life and legacy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”
It is likely to leave a bitter taste for ex-soldier Harry, who is proud of his decade in the forces, and who was saddened after being stripped of his honorary military roles including Captain General of the Royal Marines by the Queen after the Sussexes retreated overseas.
Prince Andrew joined King Charles, Princess Anne and Prince Edward in a suit for the procession of the Queen’s coffin through the streets of Edinburgh, in like with the edits of Buckingham Palace.
But it has emerged that Andrew, who stepped down from public life after the furore over his friendship with paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, will be allowed to wear his uniform at Wednesday’s vigil in Westminster.
However, he is expected to wear a suit for the Queen’s funeral on Monday.
Image credits: Getty Images
This article first appeared on OverSixty.