London: The decision to deny Prince Harry the right to wear military uniform at events commemorating his late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II cannot erase his decade of military service, his team has said.

The Duke has been banned from wearing his military uniform for public events because he is not a working member of the Royal family, along with his uncle the Duke of York.

Prince Philip and Prince Harry in 2014Credit:AP

“Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, will wear a morning suit throughout events honouring his grandmother,” his press secretary confirmed on Tuesday.

“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.”

The decision was confirmed by Buckingham Palace on Monday.

Prince Harry is expected to appear at several events in the coming week, including a procession to accompany the late Queen’s coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall on Wednesday and her funeral on Monday.

Prince Harry, pictured with Meghan, will instead wear a morning suit for all official duties.Credit:AP

Only working members of the Royal family will wear uniform at five ceremonial events scheduled during the period of mourning, Buckingham Palace sources confirmed.

They included the Service of Thanksgiving at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh on Monday, attended by the late Queen’s four children.

The Duke of York wore a morning suit, while the King wore full day ceremonial uniform with the rank of Field Marshal, the Princess Royal wore Royal Navy full ceremonial uniform in the rank of Admiral and the Earl of Wessex wore the blues uniform of the Honorary Royal Colonel of the Wessex Yeomanry.

The other ceremonial events are a procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall and service of prayer and reflection on Wednesday, a vigil at Westminster Hall, the state funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday and the following committal service at St George’s Chapel Windsor.

One exception has been made for Prince Andrew to wear uniform on a single occasion, a vigil in Westminster Hall as a “final mark of respect” for his mother. It is expected to be the full military dress uniform of a Vice Admiral of the Navy, the only military rank that he still holds.

The late Queen’s grandchildren, including Prince Harry, are no longer expected to attend such vigil.

The Telegraph, London

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