Prince Harry is an army colonel-in-chief no more.
Today, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles III will hand over Harry’s role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to older brother Prince William.
The transfer will officially tale place on May 13, at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop. “His Majesty the King will officially hand over the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales,” the palace’s statement read.
“In August 2023, following His Majesty’s Accession, the King was pleased to announce military appointments including that the Prince of Wales would become Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps. The role was previously held by His Majesty the King, as Prince of Wales, for 31 years,” the note continued.
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In odd timing, however, the announcement was made just as Harry arrived back in the United Kingdom for a short visit to attend the Invictus Games Foundation’s 10th anniversary celebration, which will be held tomorrow at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.
A Sussex representative tells Harper’s Bazaar that Charles will not be able to see his son during Harry’s visit, as the king is simply too busy. “It unfortunately will not be possible, due to His Majesty’s full program,” the rep said. “The Duke, of course, is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”
And while we have no comment from William, it’s likely the brothers will not reconnect on this trip either, as they have been estranged since 2020, when Harry and wife Duchess Meghan decided to step back from royal duties and move to California.
Since then, Harry has spoken publicly many times about his fractured relationship with his heir-t0-the-throne older brother and about how much he wishes to repair it. “My brother and I love each other. I love him deeply. There has been a lot of pain between the two of us, especially the last six years,” he told ITV last year while discussing his memoir, Spare. “I love my father, I love my brother, and I love family. I don’t think my father or brother will read the book. … But what they have to say to me and what I have to say to them will be in private, and I hope it can stay that way.” William has never publicly addressed their feud.
