Prince Harry WILL be allowed to wear military uniform at Queen’s vigil
PRINCE Harry will be allowed to wear his military uniform on Saturday for a vigil at the Queen’s coffin by her eight grandchildren.
The Duke of Sussex, 38, had to wear a morning suit at Wednesday’s ceremonial procession having lost his military titles following Megxit.
But King Charles has now granted Afghan war veteran Prince Harry special permission to appear in uniform for the 15-minute period of reflection at Westminster Hall, where the Queen lies in state.
The ruling was not a U-turn but a “one-off” decision by the King as a mark of respect for the late monarch.
It comes as…
- Prince William will lead the eight grandchildren for a poignant vigil at t he Queen’s coffin tomorrow
- The list of 500 heads of state and dignitaries attending the Queen’s funeral has been confirmed
- Sophie Wessex is reportedly set to take on a number of the Queen’s old roles
- Queen Consort Camilla has been soldiering on with her duties despite breaking a toe two weeks ago
- Mourners are facing more than an 11-hour wait to file past the Queen’s coffin
- A minute-by-minute guide on the Queen’s funeral details has been released
An insider said: “The King invited the Queen’s grand- children to mount a vigil and Harry can wear his uniform.”
It’s understood Harry had not asked for a change and had been prepared to wear whatever was asked of him so the focus was on honouring his grandmother.
It comes after Prince Andrew, who lost his titles in the fallout of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, was given dispensation to wear his naval uniform at a similar vigil with his siblings on Friday.
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Harry, who served two tours of Afghanistan, was stripped of his military titles, including his status as Captain General of the Royal Marines, nearly three years ago.
The Duke of Sussex will join his seven cousins for the poignant vigil around the Queen’s coffin on Saturday evening.
He will be flanked by Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, while William will have Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips either side.
Lady Louise and Viscount Severn will stand at the middle of the coffin during the powerful 15 minute vigil.
Princess Kate and Meghan Markle will not feature in the sombre occasion as spouses are not attending.
It is understood the eight grandchildren were keen to pay their respects – as their parents are doing tonight in their own vigil.
They will stand in silence in a scene which will mirror the Vigil of the Princes.
The event saw King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, stand guard at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh earlier this week.
And Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward will repeat the vigil at Westminster Hall on Friday night.
They will be followed by their children – the Queen’s grandchildren – on Saturday.
Harry will be joined by ex- RAF pilot brother William, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips, and Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.
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A spokesman for the duke said earlier this week that the Duke would wear a morning suit “throughout events honouring his grandmother”.
They added: “His decade of military service is not determined by the uniform he wears.”
