Earlier this month, King Charles transferred the responsibilities of colonel-in-chief of the Army Air Corps, along with the symbolic blue beret, to his eldest son, the Prince of Wales. This transition marked the end of the monarch's 32-year association with the group, coinciding with Prince Harry's training to pilot Apaches with the Army Air Corps. Notably, in 2010, Prince Harry was awarded his provisional wings by his father before his deployment to Afghanistan.
For years, there had been speculation that Prince Harry would assume the role of colonel-in-chief. However, his decision to step back from royal duties alongside Meghan Markle in 2020 meant that he could no longer maintain official military ties. Consequently, the title of colonel-in-chief of the Army Air Corps was bestowed upon Prince William instead of Prince Harry.
In 2020, royal biographers Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand provided insight into Meghan and Harry's reaction to the duke's loss of honorary military titles. They recounted a conversation where Prince Harry expressed his devastation at having to step down from his military roles. Meghan, reflecting on the decision, described it as unnecessary and emphasized its impact not only on her husband but also on the wider military veteran community.
Royal author Gareth Russell, in an exclusive interview with GB News, shed light on Harry's sentiments after missing out on the title of colonel-in-chief of his former regiment. He acknowledged that while Harry's wife had indicated the significance of the military to him, the outcome regarding the command of the regiment wasn't entirely surprising, considering the current Prince of Wales's role. Thus, while Harry may have felt upset, the decision was not unexpected.
