Prince Harry stood down as a senior member of the Royal Family last year, alongside wife Meghan Markle. When quitting The Firm, it was agreed the Duke would step down from a number of military appointments for an initial 12-months and Harry had been hoping the Queen would reinstate the titles during the 12-month Megxit review. But the monarch is expected to fully strip her grandson of his military titles, something Rod Liddle says has come as a “nasty surprise” for the Duke.
The terms of Meghan and Harry’s departure from the Royal Family were agreed during the so-called Sandringham summit, which was attended by the Queen, Prince Charles, Prince William and Harry.
During the talks, it was agreed Harry would step down from his military appointments which included Captain-General of the Royal Marines, Honorary Air Force Commandant of the Royal Air Force Base Honington, and Honorary Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Naval Commands’ Small Ships and Diving.
The Duke was said to be “devastated” by the move and had hoped the Queen would reinstate the titles next month, when the 12-month Megxit review is carried out.
However Her Majesty is expected to formally strip Harry of the three honorary Forces titles.
The Duke is set to be “upset” at the move.
Commenting on this, Mr Liddle said he is surprised the news has come as a shock to Harry and mocked the royal for lacking common sense.
In an opinion piece for , he said: “It appears to have come as a nasty surprise to him that he’s not going to get to keep his military titles.
“It’s a surprise, I think, only because Harry is a bit thick.
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“When it comes to IQ, Harry makes Prince Andrew resemble Stephen Hawking.
“He’s, y’know, a bunch of diamonds short of the full Crown Jewels.”
The commentator went on to criticise the Duke, and claimed that because he has chosen to quit the Royal Family he should no longer have access to the advantages of being part of the British monarchy.
He said: “The real issue is that Harry is really no longer a member of the British Royal Family.
“That was his decision. And that means none of the perks should be available to him.
“He does not represent any of us. He cannot have his cake and eat it.”
As part of the Megxit review Meghan and Harry are also set to lose their patronages.
The Duke is patron of several charities, including the Invictus Games, Rugby Football Union, Sentable and London Marathon Trust.
Meghan was also able to keep her four patronages, which includes Smartworks, Royal National Theatre and the Association of Commonwealth Universities.
Patronages give a charity vital publicity, and the royal linked to it will support the organisation and attend events.
But as the Sussexes are no longer based in the UK, the Monarch is unlikely to allow the couple to keep their patronages.
