Prince Harry shattered over Remembrance Day snub

Prince Harry denied request for wreath to be laid on his behalf at the Cenotaph in Whitehall to mark Remembrance Day.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex held their own wreath-laying ceremony on Remembrance Sunday in Los Angeles. Picture: Lee Morgan

Prince Harry has been denied a request for a wreath to be laid on his behalf at the Cenotaph in Whitehall to mark Sunday’s Remembrance Day as the rift between him and the Royal Family deepens.

Earlier this year Harry stood back from Royal duties, including official military roles, to move to the United States with his wife Meghan and pursue a private life. But he retains a close connection with fellow servicemen and women, having served for 10 years — including two tours as a helicopter pilot in Afghanistan and his development of the Invictus Games for injured service personnel.

Harry and Meghan. Picture: AFP

Having agreed to give up titles including Captain General of the Royal Marines in January, however, Harry was not allowed to have a wreath laid at the cenotaph on his behalf, British newspapers have reported.

The Times said that Harry was “deeply saddened” by the decision which would have meant if he had flown across the Atlantic for the occasion, he would not have been invited.

There has been lingering disquiet among the British public that Harry missed a July 2019 Royal Marines memorial for those killed in an IRA bombing, instead attending a Lion King premiere to hustle Disney executives for a job for Meghan.

On Sunday, the Queen led a scaled back Remembrance service involving just 30 veterans as the public was banned because of coronavirus restrictions.

Wreaths were laid by Prince Charles, Prince William, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, prime minister Boris Johnson and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to honour Commonwealth and British veterans involved in war time conflicts, including the two world wars.

Queen Elizabeth II is seen during the National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph in London, England. Picture: Getty Images

Harry expressed his views about Remembrance Sunday in a podcast Declassified, released to coincide with the day. He said “the act of remembering, of remembrance is a proud act of honour, its how we preserve the legacies of entire generations and show our gratitude for the sacrifices they made in order for us to be able to live the lives we live today”.

“I wear the poppy to recognise all those who have served; the soldiers I knew, as well as those I didn’t,” Harry said.

“The soldiers who were by my side in Afghanistan, those who had their lives changed forever, and those that didn’t come home.

“I wear it to celebrate the bravery and determination of all our veterans, and their loved ones, especially those in our Invictus family.

“May the memory of their sacrifice and bravery remain with us always.”

Her Majesty The Queen leads the nation in remembrance to all those who have died in two World Wars and other conflicts.#WeWillRememberThem #RemembranceSunday . pic.twitter.com/xzO2jdjXMK

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) November 8, 2020

“These are the people and moments I remember when I salute, when I stand at attention and when I lay a wreath at the Cenotaph.

“When I get asked about this period of my life I draw from memories, I draw from what I remember and who I remember. Like the first time we were shot at and who I was with, the casualties we saw, and those we saved. And the first medevac we escorted out of contact in a race against time.

“Once served always serving, no matter what.”

Harry and Meghan then released pictures of themselves attending the Los Angeles National cemetery, where Harry laid a wreath and a message which said “to all of those who have served and are serving, thank you”.

They also left flowers, picked from their Santa Barbera mansion, at graves for those who had served in the Australian Air Force and the Royal Canadian Artillery. The pictures showed the couple – with no one else in attendance at the cemetery – wearing masks, and while others showed them without the face coverings.