During the ceremony, where he presented the "Soldier of the Year" award to US combat medic Sergeant First Class Elizabeth Marks, Prince Harry chose not to wear the Coronation medal bestowed upon him by King Charles. This decision drew attention and criticism from some quarters.
Clarifying the situation, royal commentator Ephraim Hardcastle shed light on the matter in The Daily Mail. He revealed that the medal was "swing-mounted" on a short ribbon and required specialist attention to be affixed to a longer ribbon and mounted on a stable backing to prevent it from moving around. Hardcastle humorously suggested that perhaps the King should have arranged for his travelling yeoman to send it to California for the necessary adjustments.
In the video, Prince Harry proudly displayed four other British military medals on his smart black suit jacket. These included the Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan, earned in 2008 for his service in Helmand Province, the late Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal awarded in 2002 for five years of active service, Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee Medal presented to members of the emergency services, Armed Forces, prison service, and the royal household in 2012, and the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal.
The absence of the Coronation medal should not be interpreted as a deliberate snub, as insiders indicate that Prince Harry's decision was purely logistical. Rather than undermining King Charles, his intention was to honor the brave recipient of the "Soldier of the Year" award, recognizing her courage, resilience, and determination.
It should also be noted that Prince Harry flew to the UK in May of the previous year to support his father at the historic Coronation event, further highlighting his commitment to family and duty.
