William’s new role seems deliberately timed to antagonise Harry – but Charles could easily defuse it, says expert
PRINCE William’s new role seemed deliberately timed to antagonise Harry – but King Charles could easily diffuse it, claimed a royal expert.
Royal Correspondent Jack Royston spoke to The Sun’s Royal Exclusive Show about Charles’ recent snub towards his youngest son at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, Hampshire.
He told The Sun’s Royal Editor, Matt Wilkinson: “I think the perception for the public is going to be that it was deliberately timed to antagonise Harry.
“Even if that’s not the case, they probably should have tried to move it.
I think that Harry will be distressed by this
Richard Fitzwilliams
“But they can, let’s assume for arguments sake it was all just coincidence, they can diffuse this whole situation.
“All Charles would have to do, it could be as simple as making an off the cut remark, all he would have to say is ‘oh yes my son was co-pilot gunner on one of these in Afghanistan. He served his country.'”
It comes as King Charles made Prince William Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps today.
His Majesty, 75, and Wills, 41, shared a touching moment in front of an Apache helicopter as the prince was officially made leader of Harry’s former chopper unit.
The monarch looked in top nick as he chatted with staff and veterans at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, Hampshire.
He beamed as he waved to royal fans and laughed with his eldest son.
The father and son duo looked proud as they stood tall during the symbolic passing of the baton.
They posed in front of a chopper, the same as the type Harry flew in service for his second tour of Afghanistan until 2014.
William, who flew with the Air Ambulance, is later set to then take off in the Apache.
Charles also unveiled a ceremonial plaque commemorating an Apache helicopter going on display at the museum.
‘REAL INSPIRATION’
Meanwhile, Harry was in the Army Air Corps (AAC) for more than three years and qualified as an Apache commander in 2012.
He undertook a five-month operational tour of Afghanistan, during which he piloted the chopper until January 2013.
Lieutenant Colonel Tom de la Rue, who commanded Harry in the Army Air Corps previously said how the royal was a “real inspiration to many Army Air Corps officers and soldiers”.
Fellow Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams also exclusively told The Sun how Harry would have been “distressed” over the ceremony today.
Prince Harry and Prince William's military experience
Harry served with the British Army for ten years where he rose to the rank of Captain.
He carried out two tours of Afghanistan including a two-month stint in Helmand.
The Duke of Sussex was then promoted to the rank of Lieutenant with The Household Cavalry (Blues and Royals) on April 13, 2008.
Harry later qualified as an Apache helicopter commander in 2013 after three years of training with the Army Air Corps.
While on a five-month tour in Afghanistan, he served as a co-pilot gunner sharing flying duties and taking control of the weapons of the two-man Apache.
William served seven years in the military, with more than three years as a search and rescue pilot.
He left the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 2013 as a rescue pilot to focus on charity interests.
After leaving operational duties with the Armed Forces, Prince William retrained to become an air ambulance pilot.
William worked with the East Anglian Air Ambulance in 2015.
But in January 2017, Kensington Palace announced that he would be completing his work with his last shift on July 15
He said: “It is absolutely no doubt [a snub towards Harry].
“I think that Harry will be distressed by this.
“Undoubtedly it’s something that he’s takes very personally, we know that what he’s done for the military family, for the Invictus games, which is a wonderful thing, and of course this featured a great deal in their visit, which was private to Nigeria.
“But the fact simply is that the King is making somebody he trusts colonel in chief.
“I mean this can generously be described as a mess, but it’s a serious issue, because it it tends to show that communication has gone totally haywire, and that’s a generous interpretation of it.
“I frankly can see why the Sussexes haven’t been trusted.”
It comes after the duke claimed his father was “too busy” to schedule a meeting when he returned to the UK last week.
A spokesman for Harry said: “It unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme.”
Harry travelled across the pond to mark the 10th anniversary of his Invictus Games at St Paul’s Cathedral on May 8.
And, just three miles away King Charles was hosting the first of his famous Buckingham Palace Garden Parties.
But the pair did not hold a reunion, much to the shock of royal commentators.
Many expected them to meet after Harry’s transatlantic dash in February when his father’s cancer diagnosis was announced.
‘RECOLLECTIONS MAY VARY’
There has since been rampant speculation surrounding the snub.
Some pals claim Charles offered to put Harry up in a royal residence – but the duke turned it down.
Once source claimed added how “recollections may vary once again” regarding rumours Charles “refused” to make space in his busy schedule.
While other insiders insist Harry did his best to arrange a meeting with his father.
The optics of the duke’s visit were made worse when the King subsequently decided to hold a private meeting with David Beckham.
The footie legend was once an ambassador for the Invictus Games but has pulled away from Harry in recent years following the fallout from Spare and attacks on the Royal Family.
Amid growing tensions, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have put on a united front during their Nigeria visit.
Harry was seen smiling with wife Meghan on their three day trip – in which they danced with schoolchildren and met with locals and officials.
It was Harry and Meghan’s first trip to Nigeria as a couple, although they did a royal tour of southern Africa in 2019 when they were working royals.
During their visit, Meghan and Harry were expected to visit three cities in their efforts to get the country to host the Invictus Games in 2029.