Prince Harry ‘wanted to keep hold of military titles’ says expert

When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters.Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer.Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights.You can unsubscribe at any time.

The Prince was stripped of the role, along with a number of other military positions and charity patronages, on Friday. These, along with patronages held by the Duchess of Sussex, will be “redistributed among working members of The Royal Family” according to Buckingham Palace.

As part of this transition a military insider told The Times Anne, the Princess Royal, is being lined up to become the next Royal Marines Captain General.

This would make her the first woman to have ever held the position.

The source explained Anne is the “least controversial choice” for the role following Harry’s departure.

He added: “She’s not going to cause any problems or scandals. It wouldn’t be fair to take it off one brother and give it to the other.”

There had been reports Prince William was being considered for the role but according to royal insiders this has been deemed unnecessarily provocative.

The source admitted the Marines would “obviously like to keep Harry” but said Anne is “well liked” within the force.

Prince Harry served in the army for ten years, rising to the rank of Captain.

He served two tours of Afghanistan, though the first was cut short after his deployment became public knowledge.

In a statement, released on Friday, Buckingham Palace said: “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have confirmed to Her Majesty The Queen that they will not be returning as working members of The Royal Family.

“Following conversations with the Duke, The Queen has written confirming that in stepping away from the work of The Royal Family it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service.

“The honorary military appointments and Royal patronages held by The Duke and Duchess will therefore be returned to Her Majesty, before being redistributed among working members of The Royal Family.

“While all are saddened by their decision, The Duke and Duchess remain much loved members of the family.”

DON’T MISS 

Queen strips Harry and Meghan of royal patronages [REVEAL]
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry ‘crossed the Palace line’ with deals [SHOCK]
Meghan and Harry ‘backed by Gen Z’ as US success infuriates critics [INSIGHT]

Harry and Meghan caused a global sensation last January when they announced their decision to step down as working members of the Royal Family.

Following discussions with senior royals they agreed to give up their ‘Sussex Royal’ brand and repay the taxpayers money spent renovating Frogmore Cottage, their former home near Windsor.

However they were allowed to keep many royal patronages for a year offering the possibility of a full time return to royal service.

As well as Captain-General of the Royal Marines Harry loses his roles as Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Honington and Commodore-in-Chief, Small Ships and Diving, Naval Command.

He has also been stripped of his patronages of the Rugby Football Union, Rugby Football League and London Marathon.

Meghan has lost her patronages of the National Theatre and Association of Commonwealth Universities.

However both royals will keep the patronages they arranged privately, or for organisations they helped found, including Harry’s role with the Invictus Games.

Responding to the move the Duke and Duchess commented: “We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.”

Meghan and Harry are currently living in California having moved to the state shortly before it went into coronavirus lockdown in March 2020.

Last year they purchased a £11.2 million mansion to the north of Los Angeles.

Source: Read Full Article