Prince Harry 'heartbroken' as tribute to queen removed from his uniform

07 September 2023 , 13:04

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Harry was not allowed to wear the 'ER' initials on his uniform (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Prince Harry was left "devastated" when he had to remove the 'ER' symbol from his military uniform as he stood vigil by his Grandmother's coffin - despite his brother wearing them.

The Duke Of Sussex held the vigil alongside his brother Prince William and cousins Zara Tindall, Peter Phillips, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie following Queen Elizabeth II death on September 8 2022. Prince Edward's children Lady Louise Windsor and her brother James, Viscount Severn were also present.

Harry has served for the UK military in Afghanistan and was given permission to wear the uniform by his father King Charles III - but stripped of his Grandmother's initials - after original reports suggest Harry would wear a morning suit due to no longer being a working Royal.

Prince Harry stood vigil in his military uniform (Getty Images)

Harry and William were joined by their cousins (Getty Images)

At the time a friend told The Sunday Times: "He is heartbroken. To remove his grandmother’s initials feels very intentional." The report also suggested that Harry had almost decided to wear the suit anyway as a way to avoid "humiliation".

The snub was however not intentional - as in general the initials are traditionally only worn by those 'in service' of the monarch. Harry wore the uniform of the Blues and Royals complete with Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilee medals, Army Pilot Wings and the Afghanistan Operational Service Medal for the vigil.

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The appearance of the two brothers beside their grandmother's coffin drew comparisons with the day they walked behind their mother Princess Diana's coffin in 1997 in images that became symbolic of her burial around the world. The pair put on a united front at the vigil despite their continuing rift.

Mourners filed past the coffin as the grandchildren stood vigil (Getty Images)

The brothers put on a united front despite their ongoing rift (Getty Images)

In his touching statement following the death of the Queen, Harry said: "Granny, while this final parting brings us great sadness, I am forever grateful for all of our first meetings — from my earliest childhood memories with you, to meeting you for the first time as my Commander-in-Chief, to the first moment you met my darling wife and hugged your beloved great-grandchildren.

"I cherish these times shared with you, and the many other special moments in between. You are already sorely missed, not just by us, but by the world over. And as it comes to first meetings, we now honour my father in his new role as King Charles III."

Ayeesha Walsh