ROYAL REPAIR
Queen’s decision to ban military uniform from Prince Philip’s funeral is significant ‘olive branch to Prince Harry’
THE Queen's decision to ban military uniform from Prince Philip's funeral is her way of extending an olive branch to Prince Harry, a royal expert has claimed.
The Duke of Sussex had faced the humiliating prospect of being the only senior male in the Royal Family wearing civvies after losing his honorary ranks.
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There was also said to be “serious Navy displeasure” at being dragged into a row over Prince Andrew possibly wearing an Admiral’s uniform.
In order to spare any blushes, the Queen has ordered that no royals wear military uniform for the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral.
It comes after Harry, 36, was stripped of his three military titles having quit royal life with wife Meghan.
It means the Duke — who did two tours of Afghanistan with the Blues and Royals — can only wear a suit with medals at royal functions.
'OLIVE BRANCH'
Royal author Phil Dampier told The Sun Online: “This is all part of an attempt by the Queen to bring the family together and send out an olive branch.
"Because she didn’t want Harry to be treated any differently from anyone else because she’s anxious for him to heal the rift with his family, with his brother, with his father and to some extent with her really.
"So she’s bending over backwards to not put him under any pressure and not embarrass him."
The author of Royally Suited: Harry and Meghan in their own words, added that the Queen was "ever the pragmatist" who has "sought a practical solution to a very delicate situation.
He said: “It was clearly going to be embarrassing for Harry to be the only male royal not wearing a military uniform, especially ironic as he’s the only one in recent history who has seen active service.
“The best solution was for no-one to wear uniforms so that there wouldn’t have been any embarrassment. I think harry would have felt he was being shown up as being inferior and cut out of the Royal family if he only wore a normal suit and medals."
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Covid restrictions mean the Royal Family will be required to wear face masks, while maintaining social distancing at Philip's funeral.
And Mr Dampier believes the tough measures would not have helped Harry's embarrassment.
"With face masks meaning we won’t be able to read people’s expressions, even more emphasis would have been on what [Harry] was wearing and he would have stood out like a sore thumb just wearing a suit," he said.
"And probably felt like he was being highlighted and it was being emphasised that he was no longer a working member of the royals."
Insiders involved in planning for Saturday’s funeral claim the Queen personally stepped in to suggest all senior male royals wear suits and ties.
A military source told The Sun: “It’s the most eloquent solution to the problem.”
Another source confirmed last night that “current thinking is no uniforms”.
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It followed reports that Prince Andrew told the Queen he wished to dress in Admiral uniform for Prince Philip's funeral - despite deferring the title after the Jeffrey Epstein sex scandal.
Prince Andrew, 61, was made an honorary Vice-Admiral in the Royal Navy in 2015.
He was due to be promoted to Admiral in 2020 to mark his 60th birthday but chose to defer it until he resumes his official duties.
A source close to The Duke said: “The Duke of York is very keenly aware of Saturday’s funeral being a moment for the Duke of Edinburgh, HM and the nation. He has neither wish nor intention to distract from that.
"Speculation on what he may or may not wear is just that, speculation, and no matters of this nature have yet been decided upon.
"The Duke of York will do what is appropriate to the circumstances - he remains stepped back from royal duties.”
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Andrew is currently benched amid controversy over his links with billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
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The Sun revealed Harry flew in from the US on Sunday for the funeral of his grandfather, who died aged 99.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment.
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William and Harry pay tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh
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