FOR those unfamiliar with the term, the Vigil of the Princes is the name given to the poignant tradition when members of the Royal family “stand guard” beside the coffin of their late loved one.
One such ceremony has already taken place for the late Queen Elizabeth II, led by King Charles III and his siblings Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward in Edinburgh’s St Giles’ Cathedral.
And while the nation continues to mourn the late Queen Elizabeth II, her children are expected to take a further vigil at her side at London’s Westminster Hall – this time joined by her grandchildren Prince William and Prince Harry.
But as they gather to grieve the late Monarch and head of the family ahead of her funeral on Monday 19 September, the Royals will be reportedly be notably differently dressed.
Here, we look at the strict rules surrounding military uniform, and why has been granted permission, while Harry will have to wear civilian clothing.
Read More in Royals
This is who will be following the Queen’s procession
Charles arrives at Buckingham Palace before leading royals in procession
Why is Prince Andrew wearing military uniform for the Vigil of the Princes?
After Andrew stepped down from public service and was stripped of his honorary military titles following the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, it was expected that he would have to wear civilian clothing to any vigil.
This was indeed the case when he wore a suit for the emotional Edinburgh vigil alongside his military dressed siblings.
However, the late Queen’s second son – who served as a former Royal Navy officer in the Falklands War – has reportedly been granted a special exception for the Queen’s lying-in-state vigil at Westminster Hall.
While the rules state that only working royals are allowed to wear their military dress, it’s been speculated that he’ll be able to do so as a “special mark of respect” for his late mother.
It’s expected that the Duke of York will wear civilian clothing for the other events planned to mark his mother’s incredible reign and life.
Most read in Fabulous
People are just realizing what the bump in their washing machine door is for
Woman sparks fierce debate after sharing how often she washes her bra
I picked the ideal name for my baby but people say it reminds them of death row
My clever hack means I dry my family’s washing outside even when it’s raining
Why is Prince Harry not wearing military uniform?
Unlike his Uncle, former Duke of Sussex Harry is said to have not been given permission to wear his military uniform to honour his grandmother.
Harry, who served on two tours of Afghanistan, chose to step down from his royal duties alongside his wife Meghan Markle in 2020.
In doing so, Harry was stripped of his honorary military roles and no longer serves as a working royal.
This means that the strict rules in place prohibit him from wearing his military dress for any of the five ceremonial funeral occasions.
His decade of military service is not determined by the uniform he wears
Addressing the strict guidelines, Harry issued a statement via his spokesperson, where he asked mourners to concentrate on his late grandmother’s legacy instead of focusing on his attire.
It read: “[Prince Harry] will wear a morning suit throughout events honouring his grandmother.
“His decade of military service is not determined by the uniform he wears and we respectfully ask that focus remain on the life and legacy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”
All you need to know after Queen Elizabeth II dies aged 96
THE nation is in mourning after beloved Queen Elizabeth dies aged 96 – here is all you need to know about Her Majesty’s glorious life and what’s next.
- When is the Queen's funeral?
- What happens now the Queen has died?
- How old was the Queen when she died?
- What is the mourning period for the Queen?
- What is the new line of succession?
- Will there be a bank holiday on the day of the Queen's funeral?
- When can royal fans visit the Queen's coffin?
- Where will the Queen be buried?
- Why is 'London Bridge is down' the secret code?
- What is D-Day?
- Who are the Queen's grandchildren?
What is the Vigil of the Princes?
The Vigil of the Princes is a Royal tradition that dates back to King George V’s passing in 1936.
It refers to the occasions when members of the British Royal family “stand guard” either during the lying in state ahead of a funeral, or for a ceremonial funeral.
It had traditionally been only male members of the Royal family, but Princess Anne made history when she became the first female Royal to do so when she joined her brothers at St Giles’ Cathedral on Monday 12 September.
The Royals are expected to take part in a further vigil as the Queen lies in state in Westminster Hall.
Read More on The Sun
Charles’ staff left heartbroken as they’re axed during Queen church service
Mystery as Queen’s undertaker removes hearse window ad during six hour drive
The Vigil of the Princes was previously carried out at the Queen Mother’s 2002 funeral.
On that occasion, the Queen Mother’s grandsons – Charles, Andrew, Edward and Princess Margaret’s son the 2nd Earl of Snowdon stood by her side.
Source: Read Full Article