Prince Harry won’t be allowed to wear his military uniform when he presents war heroes with medals at an awards ceremony this week.
The Duke of Sussex has been a long-time vocal supporter of military veterans, having served in the British Army himself for ten years, where he rose to the rank of Captain and did two tours to Afghanistan.
He also founded the Invictus Games, a sporting event for wounded, injured, and sick service members to support recovery, inspiration, and “generate a wider understanding and respect for all of those who serve their country.”
The Duke of Sussex will be attending a Salute to Freedom gala on a warship in New York on November 10 where he will present medals to five war heroes.
Harry was stripped of his role as Captain-General of the Royal Marines – handed down to him by his grandfather Prince Philip, as part of the final deal for him and Meghan Markle to step back as front-line royals.
He also lost two other honorary military positions, Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Honington in Suffolk and Commodore-in-Chief Small Ships and Diving, Royal Naval Command.
When he stepped away from his senior royal duties in 2020, he was deprived of his honorary military titles meaning he can no longer wear the military uniform.
Instead, he will have to wear a black-tie but can pin his four medals on his suit at the Salute to Freedom Gala, taking place at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.
Other war veterans and servicemen on the aircraft carrier will be in full regalia.
The Duke, however, is understood to have wanted to retain his honorary positions, which included the title of Captain-General of the Royal Marines, but was not able to do so.
It is thought that Princess Anne will be the next Captain General of the Royal Marines, making her the first woman to hold the title. Prior to the Duke’s appointment as Captain-General of the Royal Marines in 2017, it was held by the late Prince Philip for 64 years.
The event will pay tribute to “those who have served in the US forces, defending America”, with the awards honoring those who have “demonstrated courage and perseverance in the face of great danger or personal struggle”.
He will celebrate five service members, veterans, and military families living with “the invisible wounds of war”.
At his grandfather, Prince Philip’s funeral, Harry’s family members agreed to wear morning suits so as to not make him the “odd one out”.
Prince William, Prince Edward, Princess Anne, and even under-fire Prince Andrew would have been able to wear full military attire.