Prince William receives new title from King Charles as Prince Harry arrives in the UK

Prince Harry arrived in London to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, coinciding with his stay in his homeland where his brother, Prince William, received a notable new honor from King Charles. While the timing may have seemed coincidental, many interpreted it as a deliberate slight towards Prince Harry.

The Palace announced that King Charles III has bestowed upon Prince William the title of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps. “His Majesty the King will officially pass on the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales,” the statement from the palace read. “In August 2023, following His Majesty’s Accession, the King was pleased to announce military appointments, including the appointment of the Prince of Wales as Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps. This role had previously been held by His Majesty the King, as Prince of Wales, for 31 years.”

William’s new appointment places him at the helm of Harry’s former unit. Back in 2008, Harry underwent his Army Air Corps “Grading” and Pilot’s Selection Board interview, marking the beginning of his journey as an Army Air Corps pilot in 2009.

“Upon successful completion of the Army Pilots Course, Prince Harry was chosen for further training on the Apache Attack Helicopter,” stated Harry’s official biography, which was previously featured on the official royal family website. “On that very day, it was announced that Prince Harry had been awarded his provisional wings, presented by his father.” At the time, Charles held the position of colonel-in-chief of the Army Air Corps, adding an extra layer of significance to the ceremony for Harry.

Prince William’s unveiling of his new title comes at a time when public interest is particularly high, fueled in part by the strained relationship between Prince Harry and his father. Speculation about the dynamics of their interactions, or lack thereof, during Harry’s recent visit to the UK highlights the complexities within the royal family.

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Despite Harry’s recent trip, he and his father, now King Charles, did not have a chance to meet due to the king’s busy schedule. Nonetheless, Harry expressed his desire to see his father soon.

Despite the tensions within the royal family, Harry expressed joy at being back in the UK. Reflecting on the event, he lauded it as “amazing” and praised the efforts of Scotty’s, highlighting their invaluable support for children.