It’s a big day for Prince William as he unites with his father the King to receive a special honour – but it’s also been seen as a major snub to Prince Harry
Prince William will receive the major honour from his father
Prince William has shared some never-before-seen photos moments before accepting a new role from King Charles.
On Monday, Prince William is being made Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps, in what has been seen as a major snub to Prince Harry.
Charles, 75, shook hands with his eldest son William, 41, in front of an Apache chopper as he officially made him the head of Harry’s former helicopter unit.
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According to reports, the honour would have likely been given to Harry had he not chosen to step down as a working member of the royal family in 2020.
Both brothers are trained military pilots, however, Harry personally served in the Army Air Corps during his second tour of Afghanistan up until 2014.
To celebrate his new role, William shared two side-by-side images on social media. In the first, he can be seen dressed in camouflage and leaning against a helicopter with his arms folded, a big smile on his face. The second snapshot shows the heir inside the cockpit, looking back at the camera and grinning.
The caption reads: “Time flies! Looking back at the last two visits to @ArmyAirCorps in 1999 and 2008 ahead of today’s handover at Middle Wallop.”
Wiliam served in the Army as a Platoon Commander in the Blues and Royals, before undertaking flying training in the Royal Air Force. He then worked as an RAF Search and Rescue pilot and spent three years at RAF Valley in Anglesey, Wales.
The military honour comes after the King’s schedule meant he was ‘too busy’ to see Prince Harry during his brief visit to the UK last week. Similarly, William chose not to reunite with his younger brother.
The King handed William the honour today (
Image:
Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
It comes as King Charles was ‘too busy’ to see Prince Harry last week (
Image:
PA)
Royal author tom Quinn told The Mirror: “Harry’s visit to the UK has done nothing to repair royal relations – Harry has been very publicly snubbed by his father and brother.
“[William] says nothing. It is as if Harry no longer exists. There’s been no obvious criticism from either side, but the silence from William is deafening.”
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Following Monday’s ceremony, King Charles and Prince William will together have an opportunity to meet serving aircrew in front of the Apache. After the monarch has departed, Prince William will embark on his first engagement with the Army Air Corps as Colonel-in-Chief.
The Prince will first receive a briefing on the Army Air Corps’ current work from the Colonel Commandant, Lieutenant General Sir Nicholas Borton. He will then view training and operational aircraft used by the Army Air Corps and meet the aircrew and the supporting ground staff.
