After King Charles officially handed over the royal of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to Prince William, royal author Tom Quinn claims Prince Harry’s ‘last few ties’ are being cut

Prince Harry and his father Charles standing in front of an Apache Helicopter at Middle Wallop in 2011 (
Image: PA)

The King’s announcement that Prince Harry is being stripped of his role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps is “a real kick in the teeth” for the Duke of Sussex, a royal expert has claimed

Author Tom Quinn said the Royal Family is rushing to cut Harry’s “last few ties” to his old life, meaning he is being “set adrift permanently” following the announcement. What makes it even worse for Harry is the fact that the military honour is being given to his brother, Prince William, who he “sees as the cause of so many of his problems,” according to Quinn.

The official handing of the title took place today in a ceremony at the Army Aviation Centre at Middle Wallop, leaving the monarch “tinged with sadness”. Speaking inside the Army Flying Museum at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, Hampshire, Charles joked that the regiment will be left in safe hands. “What a great joy it is to be here on this occasion,” the 75-year-old told veterans, families and staff.

King Charles and Prince William during a visit to the Army Aviation Centre at Middle Wallop, Hampshire ( 
Image:
PA)

“But also it is tinged with great sadness after 32 years of knowing you all and admiring your many activities and your achievements.” The King also unveiled a plaque commemorating the arrival of the first Apache AH Mk.1 to be installed in a UK museum.

Days ago, Mr Quinn told us Harry was “in tears” when the monarch announced the honour would be passed to William. The announcement was made hours after it was confirmed that the King would not meet Harry during his short visit to the UK last week.

The title has now been handed over to the Prince of Wales ( 
Image:
PA)
The royal expert said the timing of the announcement shows that Harry is “no longer welcome” and that senior royals went ahead with it even if they knew it would hurt Harry, because being Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps was something he enjoyed and was proud of. Mr Quinn told us: “King Charles’ announcement that Prince Harry is being stripped of his role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps is a real kick in the teeth for the son who always felt marginalised and underrated.

“What makes it much worse is that the role is being given to the very man who Harry sees as the cause of so many of his problems – his brother. And the announcement was deliberately made during Harry’s brief visit to the UK to have maximum impact – it shows Harry that he really is no longer welcome.

“The senior royals knew the announcement would really hurt Harry – he is said to have been in tears when he heard – but they have decided the gloves are off and that Harry needs to realise that when you betray the family, you don’t just escape the things you hated doing as a working royal. You also lose the things you loved.

“And being Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps was something Harry really did enjoy and of which he was very proud.” The author added that the speed of the announcement seemed to show that royals “can’t wait to be rid of this troublesome prince.”

Mr Quinn added: “Harry feels his time in the military was a rare happy time in his life when he was judged on his merits as a man not on his merits as a member of the royal family. Having always hated being the spare in terms of the succession he now finds that one of the few important roles he had as the younger brother has now been handed over to the person Harry himself described as his nemesis.

Charles officially gave William the title ( 
Image:
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“Harry cannot fail to get the message – his last few ties to his old life are being cut and he is being set adrift, permanently.” The Army Air Corps is the Duke of Sussex’s old unit, in which he served as an Apache helicopter commander and co-pilot gunner during his second tour to Afghanistan in 2012.

William will embark on his first engagement with the Army Air Corps later in the afternoon, receiving a briefing on its work and inspecting training and operational aircraft as well as talking to soldiers. He will then leave the base in an Apache as part of a capability flight.

Monday’s visit comes just days after Harry travelled to the UK to mark 10 years of the Invictus Games, without meeting up with his father and brother. The King trained with the RAF while in his second year at the University of Cambridge and was given his wings in August 1971. William served in the Army with the Blues and Royals and was an RAF search and rescue pilot for three years at RAF Valley in Anglesey, Wales.

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