Prince Harry and Prince Andrew will be allowed to wear military uniforms for Queen vigil

In an astonishing new move, the royals have back-pedalled on the biggest consequence of Prince Andrew’s sex scandal and Prince Harry’s royal departure.

Princes Harry and Andrew will be allowed to wear military uniform alongside other royals in a special vigil for the Queen, it has been reported.

Only working royals are permitted to don their military colours while mourning Her Majesty over the coming days.

It means the Duke of Sussex, who quit royal duties back in 2020, and the Duke of York, who was stripped of his titles over his links to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, have so far worn suits to commemorate Her Majesty’s death.

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Andrew and Harry wore mourning suits during the procession behind the Queen’s coffin this week. Picture: Getty Images.

But according to the Mirror, they will both wear military uniforms as they undertake separate lying-in-state vigils for the Queen in Westminster Hall,The Sun reports.

The exception was made for Andrew earlier this week as a “special mark of respect” to his mother.

And Palace officials reportedly stepped in later to ensure Harry was given the same privilege.

The Duke of Sussex will join his seven cousins for the poignant vigil around the Queen’s coffin on Saturday evening.

They will reportedly stand in silence in a scene which will mirror the Vigil of the Princes.

The event saw King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, stand guard at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh earlier this week.

Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward will repeat the vigil at Westminster Hall on Friday night.

They will be followed separately by their children – the Queen’s grandchildren – on Saturday.

And Prince Harry has reportedly been given special permission to wear his military colours.

Harry was stripped of his official military appointments in January 2020. Picture: AFP.

It is not yet clear what uniform he will wear, given that he no longer holds a position in the military.

But a royal source told the Mirror: “Common sense has prevailed.

“It was a ludicrous situation given the Duke of Sussex has served his country and is a highly respected member of the armed forces with everything he has done for veterans,” the source added.

“It is important that the Queen’s grandchildren are all made to feel welcome and comfortable as they grieve their beloved grandmother together.”

Harry holds a number of medals following his ten-year-long military career.

But he stood out against Prince William, who wore uniform on Wednesday, as they followed their grandmother’s coffin to Westminster Hall together.

Prince Harry stood out next to his brother as they marched behind the coffin during the procession for the Lying-in State of Queen Elizabeth II. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images.

The brothers will stand together behind the Queen’s coffin at her funeral on Monday while their wives Kate and Meghan will follow in a car.

For this, Harry is expected to wear a suit, while William will don his military colours.

Earlier this week Harry’s spokesman insisted his “decade of military service is not determined by the uniform he wears”.

This article originally appeared in The Sun and has been reproduced here with permission