Prince William has been handed an important military honour by the King as he becomes Colonel-in-Chief of Prince Harry's old regiment.
Days after it was announced Harry wouldn't be meeting with his father on a flying visit to the UK last week, King Charles handed over the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to his eldest son. The official handing of the title took place today in a ceremony at the Army Aviation Centre at Middle Wallop, leaving the monarch "tinged with sadness".
Speaking inside the Army Flying Museum at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, Hampshire, Charles joked that the regiment will be left in safe hands. “What a great joy it is to be here on this occasion,” the 75-year-old told veterans, families and staff.
“But also it is tinged with great sadness after 32 years of knowing you all and admiring your many activities and your achievements.” The King also unveiled a plaque commemorating the arrival of the first Apache AH Mk.1 to be installed in a UK museum.
Charles meets staff members and their families at the Army Aviation Centre (AP)During the visit he was met with a guard of honour before Lieutenant General Sir Nicholas Borton and Colonel Commandant of the Army Air Corps escorted His Majesty to the Army Flying Museum. He stated: "I do hope you will go from strength to strength in the future with the Prince of Wales as your new Colonel-in-Chief. The great thing is that he is a very good pilot indeed so that’s encouraging."
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The King also spoke with veteran Aaron Mapplebeck who said he went through chemotherapy last year for testicular cancer and told the monarch about his loss of taste, as Charles conferred claiming he, too, had lost his.
The military honour development was confirmed at the weekend, in what has been deemed will be a blow to Harry given his service in the very same regiment when he served in Afghanistan. Buckingham Palace announced on Saturday: "At the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, His Majesty The King will officially hand over the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.
William changed into the uniform as a show of taking over his father's reins (Getty Images)"In August 2023, following His Majesty's Accession, The King was pleased to announce military appointments including that The Prince of Wales would become Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps. The role was previously held by His Majesty The King, as Prince of Wales, for 31 years."
Royal expert Michael Cole said the move would not be going down well with Harry, who is currently on a trip to Nigeria with wife Meghan. Speaking on Sunday, he said: "It is quite a snub.
(Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
The King and Prince William appeared side by side for one of Charles' first engagements since his cancer diagnosis (PA)"For the King to not see his younger son, Prince Harry, although the two men will be only two miles apart tomorrow afternoon, gives an indication of the depth of the divide.
"The Prodigal Son is not welcome - not for the present, anyway. In royal terms, this is big medicine. Prince Harry is bound to see it for what it is, the clearest possible indication of the hurt that has been caused."
Having held the position while Prince of Wales himself, it was widely assumed the position would default to Harry once Charles became king due to Harry's service in the Army Air Corps. Meanwhile, while Prince William himself has never served in the military, the 41-year-old did spend time as a search and rescue pilot and air ambulance pilot.
The monarch made no mention of his youngest son during his outgoing speech, however. Harry served in the Corps for three-and-a-half years, qualifying as an Apache helicopter commander in 2013 after three years of training.
Harry served in the regiment while in Afghanistan in 2012 to 2013 (PA)Harry made a fleeting visit to the UK on Wednesday when he appeared for an Invictus Games 10th anniversary service at St Paul's Cathedral in London. It was hotly anticipated the 39-year-old would meet with the King during his stay after the two met for a 45-minute chat in February following the King's cancer diagnosis.
Monday's visit is one of the King's first few engagements since returning to public duties following his cancer treatment. During his impromptu walkabout, he greeted schoolchildren from nearby Middle Wallop School, who were gathered waving Union flags.
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Asked if their parents are part of the Regiment, he was told that 60-70 percent are. He then headed inside the museum, which tells the story of the British army flying from the early days of military ballooning to the modern Army Air Corps.
He was greeted by a Guard of Honour and Lt Gen Sir Nicholas Borton, the regiment's current Colonel Commandant, who took him to the Army Flying Museum where they chatted with people. The role was then officially handed over by the Middle Wallop control tower in front of an Apache.
The King handed him the regiment’s beret and stable belt in front of the Apache before speaking to serving aircrew. As the King left, William embarked on his first engagement as the new Colonel-in-Chief.
He received a briefing on the Army Air Corps’ current work from the Colonel Commandant, Lieutenant General Sir Nicholas Borton.
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