The Duke of Sussex was refused permission for a wreath to be laid at the Cenotaph on his behalf today, in the latest sign of the growing gulf between him and the royal family.
Prince Harry, who stepped down from royal duties in March, made the personal request to Buckingham Palace, but was denied by courtiers on the grounds that he is no longer representing the monarchy. He first laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in 2009 at the age of 25.
The Queen was not made aware of her grandson’s wish.
Harry is understood to be deeply saddened by the decision, the clearest sign yet that his official links to the royal family are permanently severed. His decade of military service, which he once described as “one of the best professions you can ever be involved with”, transformed his image from that of a playboy prince. He became a campaigner for veterans’ causes, including the Invictus Games, the sporting event for wounded and ill service personnel.
The duke gave up his military posts after relocating to California with the Duchess of Sussex, including his role as Captain General of the Royal Marines. But a year-long “review period” agreed with the Queen, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge aimed to leave the door open for Harry to resume some of his military links, an option that now seems unlikely.
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In a recording for the Declassified podcast which will air today, Harry, 36, said: “Remembrance Day for me is a moment for respect and for hope. I wear it [the poppy] to celebrate the bravery and determination of all our veterans. These are the people and moments I remember when I salute, when I stand at attention and when I lay a wreath at the Cenotaph.”
Harry is not the only royal to be absent from today’s service. The Duke of York will also not attend.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment.
