Queen attends Remembrance Sunday service at The Cenotaph
Philip is known for making gaffes which have both embarrassed and astonished the general public, celebrities and officials over his decades at the forefront of the Royal Family. Now 99, he is the oldest male royal in British history, although he has been retired from public life for three years. Yet, the stalwart is said to maintain his informal role as the patriarch of the Royal Family, while his wife the Queen, heads up the monarchy.
The Duke of Edinburgh is said to have “walked away” from Harry and Meghan Markle since their decision to leave the royal frontline last January.
Royal biographer Ingrid Seward claimed Philip “simply cannot understand” his grandson’s drastic actions, which are “alien” to him, especially as he has an unwavering dedication to the crown.
She added that his absence from the ‘Sandringham Summit’ — where the details of the Sussexes’ future were laid out — “spoke volumes”.
In November, Army veteran Harry allegedly sent a request to the Royal Family from his new home in California for a wreath to be laid on his behalf at the Cenotaph.
The royals gather every year on Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph in London to pay their respects to the UK’s fallen soldiers.
Prince Harry and Prince Philip (Image: Getty)
Philip, William and Harry in their military uniforms (Image: Getty)
The royals who have served in the Armed Forces dress in their military uniforms and lay wreaths of poppies down at the memorial.
All those who attend hold a two-minute silence at 11am, in line with the rest of the country.
Harry could not join his family, as he is now based in Santa Barbara — but reports claimed that he still wanted to be part of the occasion.
Yet, the Palace allegedly rejected his request, leading Meghan and Harry to host their own photoshoot in the LA Cemetery to show they were paying homage to the fallen, too.
Interestingly, Philip has a completely different take on Remembrance Day compared to his grandson.
Back in 2006, he told journalist Jeremy Paxman: “Any bloody fool can lay a wreath at the thingamy.
“You don’t have to be a genius for that.”
READ MORE: Harry has ‘Diana’s devil-may-care spirit and Philip’s blunderability’
Harry and William at the Cenotaph, where working royals lay wreaths to honour the dead (Image: Getty)
He was discussing the limited formal demands of the job of being consort, and clearly dismissing it.
But where Harry showed he valued the annual occasion and the royals’ part in it, he was turned down.
While “any fool” could lay the wreath according to Philip, it is evidently a privilege only meant for working royals.
The Queen is thought not to have been informed about her grandson’s request, but it’s worth remembering that Harry was stripped of all his honorary military titles during the Sandringham Summit.
This decision reportedly left Harry absolutely devastated especially as he served in the Army for a decade.
He was appointed Commodore-in-Chief, Small Ships and Diving, Royal Naval Command, in 2006.
In 2008, he was given the title of Honorary Air Commandant and in 2017 he succeeded Philip as the Captain General of the Royal Marines.
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The Queen and Harry — she decided to strip Harry of his military appointments during the Sandringham Summit (Image: Getty)
The Queen and Harry — she decided to strip Harry of his military appointments during the Sandringham Summit (Image: Getty)
However, many believe there is “zero chance” of Harry being granted his titles again when the 12-month review period is up for the Sussexes in March — even though the Queen has left the role free ever since he left.
Royal commentator Marlene Koenig told Express.co.uk: “He chose to leave, and he cannot fulfil the responsibilities, he’s gone off to live in another country.
“I do like the idea that they made arrangements to go pay their respects at the Commonwealth graves at the military cemetery in Los Angeles, I don’t think that was a photo op, that was not Harry’s intention at all.
“But other people will be appointed for those positions next year.
“You need someone who is there all the time and he can’t do that.”
These military patronages were incredibly important to the Duke of Sussex, according to insiders.
The pro-Sussex biography, Finding Freedom, claimed: “If his grandmother’s validation of his experiences served as encouragement, the most demoralising aspect of the new deal was his being stripped of his honorary military appointments that had been awarded to him as a senior royal.”
Meghan supposedly questioned the Firm’s decision to remove Harry’s military titles (Image: Getty)
William, Kate, Philip, Meghan and Harry at Sandringham in 2017 (Image: Getty)
Authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand claim Meghan thought Harry’s demotion was “so unnecessary”.
The Duchess allegedly told a friend: “It’s not just taking something away from him, it’s also that entire military veteran community.
“You can see how much he means to them, too. So why? The powers are unfortunately greater than me.”
He is still allowed to wear his medals but cannot wear the uniform that accompanied his military appointments.
Additionally, Harry is said to have been more comfortable being known as Captain Wales — his Army title — than as Prince Harry.
He has also demonstrated his passion for the military in the past, such as when he set up the Invictus Games — an international competition meant for wounded or retired veterans, which he is allegedly still deeply invested in.
