Despite all the wealth and privilege that comes with being born into the Queen’s family, there is a certain poignancy to the sheer lack of control Harry has had over so many aspects of his life for more than three decades.
However, the latest bad news to befall the unintentionally-drama-prone royal cannot be blamed on dynastic fate or forces beyond his control; rather reports that Harry is set to have his
honorary military roles taken from him rests on his shoulders.
The UK’s Daily Express has reported the Queen “is expected to strip him of key military patronages.” In the wake of that story breaking, the UK Telegraph, meanwhile, reported that Harry “is determined to keep his honorary military titles and wants to spend more time in the UK”.
A definitive answer as to whether Harry will be able to hang onto his three prestigious roles – as Captain General of the Royal Marines, Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Honington and Commodore-in-Chief, Small Ships and Diving, Royal Naval Command – will not come until March.
However, if he is forced to relinquish these positions once and for all, there will be a certain tragic inevitability to the whole sorry mess and it could be argued he brought this all on to himself.
For a decade, Harry proudly served in the military including two tours on the frontline in Afghanistan. Since leaving full time service in 2015, his staunch support for the armed services and veterans has been unwavering, launching the hugely successful Invictus Games.
Then came the events of the last two years, a period characterised by turmoil and PR crises galore as the Harry’n‘Meghan double act became a can’t-look-away soap opera.
Things came to a historic head when the couple announced on January 8 last year that they were done with being senior working members of the royal family, a move that is reported to have “blindsided” Buckingham Palace.
Under the terms of the exit deal that was finally hashed out between the Sussexes and the palace, the couple was forced to give up their Sussex Royal moniker and their ability to use their HRHs. Harry also agreed to step down from his military roles, however officials involved in the talks told the Times that “the Queen agreed to keep the positions open during the review period so that he could return, if it was deemed appropriate”.
Here’s the thing: There is nothing in the royal ‘rule book’ that means just because Harry was off to the US to make his own way in the world, he had to give up his beloved military appointments.
There is precedent for non-working members of the Queen’s family to also hold honorary military roles. For example, Prince Michael of Kent, who is a businessman, has seven of them.
So, if the Queen does ultimately decide to rescind her grandson’s prized military roles, it won’t be because she has to but because she feels like his actions over the last year necessitate it.