Prince Harry was banned from wearing his military uniform – after serving ten years – to the Queen’s funeral
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have returned to California following the nation’s 10-day mourning period for Queen Elizabeth II.
Harry was also scheduled to speak at an awards ceremony in London this week but canceled his appearance and made his way to Balmoral in Scotland amid concerns for his grandmother’s health.
Harry and Meghan have remained in the UK since the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday September 8th.
They performed royal duties including the laying out and processions to move the coffin. They also attended Her Majesty’s state funeral on Monday, where they sat in the second row.
The couple, who stepped down from their senior royal roles in March 2020, were keen to travel home to their children, Archie, three, and Lilibet, one.
Loud Hello! The Duke and Duchess of Sussex flew out of London Heathrow on Tuesday after being separated from their children for so long.
He wrote: “As we celebrate the life and mourn of the loss of my grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen, we are all reminded of the compass she was for so many in their commitment to service and duty.”
The Duke of Sussex also included a quote from his grandmother, which she said after the death of her husband Prince Philip. It said: “Life, of course, consists of final goodbyes as well as first encounters.”
He continued of the tribute: “Grandma, while we are deeply saddened by this final goodbye, I am forever grateful for all of our first encounters – from my earliest childhood memories of you, to my first encounter with you as my Commander-in-Chief, to the first moment you met my beloved wife and hugged your beloved great-grandchildren.
“I cherish those times I’ve shared with you and the many other special moments in between. You are already greatly missed, not only by us but by the whole world. And as for the first encounters, we now honor my father in his new role as King Charles III.”
Finally, he thanked Her Majesty for her dedication to service, good advice and infectious smile.
Harry and Meghan retained their titles as Duke and Duchess of Sussex, but due to their retirement as senior royals, they lost the honor of being addressed as His and Her Royal Highness.
However, Prince Harry was banned from wearing his military uniform to his grandmother’s funeral, despite having served in the British Army for 10 years.
Like other funeral guests, he and his uncle Prince Andrew were required to wear casual suits.
Prince Andrew served in the Royal Navy for 22 years but recently lost his patronage and titles due to his association with sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
