Prince Harry was reportedly "in tears" upon learning that King Charles had announced a new military honour for his brother, Prince William, according to royal expert and author Tom Quinn. The Duke of Sussex, who returned to the United Kingdom this week for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, faced a series of setbacks during his brief visit, including the revelation that King Charles was too busy to meet with him despite weeks of speculation about a potential reconciliation.
Adding to the tension, Buckingham Palace announced that Prince William would be granted the title of colonel-in-chief of the Army Air Corps, a role long thought to be destined for Prince Harry, who had served with the regiment in Afghanistan. Quinn exclusively told The Mirror that the decision was "a real kick in the teeth" for the Duke of Sussex, who "always felt marginalised and underrated" within the royal family.
"What makes it much worse is that the role is being given to the very man who Harry sees as the cause of so many of his problems - his brother," Quinn explained. "And the announcement was deliberately made during Harry's brief visit to the UK to have maximum impact - it shows Harry that he really is no longer welcome."
The royal expert claimed that senior royals "knew" the announcement would "really hurt" Prince Harry and that he was "said to have been in tears when he heard." Quinn added, "But they have decided the gloves are off and that Harry needs to realise that when you betray the family, you don't just escape the things you hated doing as a working royal. You also lose the things you loved."
Quinn emphasized the significance of the role to Prince Harry, stating, "Being Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps was something Harry really did enjoy and of which he was very proud." He noted the "rushed feel" of the decision, as if the royal family "can't wait to be rid of this troublesome prince," with the role set to be transferred to Prince William on May 13.
"Harry feels his time in the military was a rare happy time in his life when he was judged on his merits as a man not on his merits as a member of the Royal Family," Quinn explained. "Having always hated being the spare in terms of the succession he now finds that one of the few important roles he had as the younger brother has now been handed over to the person Harry himself described as his nemesis. Harry cannot fail to get the message - his last few ties to his old life are being cut and he is being set adrift, permanently."
During an emotional moment at the Invictus Games Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral on Wednesday, Prince Harry appeared to wipe away tears as he listened to a testimony by the 2018 Team UK captain, Michelle Turner, and her family. The duke, who is patron of the Games, stood up to lead the congregation in a standing ovation and later delivered a reading from Corinthians.
Despite the rift dividing Harry and the royal family, his uncle and aunt, Earl Charles Spencer and Lady Jane Fellowes, made a surprise appearance to support him at the service. However, the denied meeting with King Charles and the transfer of the Army Air Corps role to Prince William have further strained the relationship between the Duke of Sussex and his family.
