While most of us are used to the typical funeral dress code, aka all black everything, it’s a very different scenario for the Royal family. Following the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II, the entire country has gone into a mourning period which will be capped off by a historic funeral service on Monday, September 19.
With that in mind, here are all the details on what the Royal family members can, and cannot, wear, and why many fans are upset by it.
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As reported by “Harpers Bazar” all working members of the royal family must wear military uniforms during the mourning period ceremonies and to the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on Monday, September 19.
As a non-working royal, Prince Andrew will not get to wear a uniform except at HM’s final vigil as a sign of respect.
Sadly, Prince Harry will not get the same exemption.
As followers of the Royal family know, Prince Harry was stripped of his military titles following his decision to step down as a senior Royal.
Back in February 2021, it was reported that Prince Harry had officially returned the titles of Captain General Royal Marines, Honorary Air Commandant, RAF Honington, and Commodore-in-Chief, Small Ships and Diving, Royal Naval Command to Queen Elizabeth II .
“The honorary military appointments and Royal patronages held by The Duke and Duchess will therefore be returned to Her Majesty, before being redistributed among working members of The Royal Family,” the palace said in a statement at the time.
This was undoubtedly a major blow to the Prince, who had served in the British army for 10 years.
As for the rest of the Royals, it’s safe to say we will expect to see them in black, as is traditional for funerals.
The matter was discussed on Good Morning Britan Tuesday by Royal Expert Hugo Vickers.
“You must remember he was given the option to hold on to his various positions for a year and decide what he wanted to do,” Hugo argued.
“After that, he decided to stay on in California and you can’t be Captain General of the Royal Marines if you live in California and you’re a guy in blue jeans basically,” he added, as per Express UK.
The show’s host Susanna interjected: “Was the Duke of York not stripped of his military titles?”
“Well he certainly was of the Grenadier Guards for example he’s no longer Colonel of that,” Hugo explained. “He certainly won’t be wearing Grenadier Guards uniform that’s for certain.
“He presumably will wear a naval uniform because he served in the Royal Navy.”
Co-host Ben continued the questioning: “So he’s been given dispensation specifically for the funeral itself whereas Prince Harry has been told he has to just be in theory in civvies.”
“I’m not convinced we really know to be honest and I think it might be just as well to see what happened,” Hugo admitted.
Hugo then went on to remind the hosts that senior members of the Royal Family did not wear military uniforms for Prince Philip’s funeral.
However, this is the QUEEN’s funeral we’re talking about.
Many fans have taken to social media to express their frustration at the lack of respect for Harry.
“The decision to not allow #PrinceHarry to wear his military uniform during the ceremonial events honoring and memorializing #QueenElizabethII is heartless and vindictive and petty. It cannot be justified by citing either protocol or tradition,” tweeted one supporter.
“The RF continues to make bad decisions, inflicting the most damage to their image themselves,” tweeted a different user.
” #PrinceHarry not being allowed to wear his military uniform, while his Uncle Edward drips w/unearned medals, is a travesty & an insult to the British military & its veterans. #Shameful ,” they added.
It’s safe to say all eyes will be on Prince Harry on Monday.
