Royal Expert Claims Prince Harry Is 'In Tears' As King Charles Transfers New Title To Prince William

May 13, 2024

Prince Harry and Meghan announced to the world on Jan. 8, 2020, that they would step down as senior working members of the British royal family in a move popularly dubbed “Megxit.” By spring of 2020, the transition was complete, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were no longer performing royal duties. 

Since then, they have lived in the United States with Meghan’s mother and their two children. Although Harry and Meghan stepped down from their duties as senior royals, they have not shunned the spotlight, appearing at public charity events and pursuing their own creative and philanthropic ventures, many under their brand, Archewell Foundation.

However, tensions between their small family and the royals have grown and created a wall between them. Scrutiny of Harry and Meghan has intensified, and people have started expressing their disdain for every move and decision they make, especially toward their children’s — Archie and Lilibet — lives.

With reports that Harry, Meghan, and the children are returning to the United Kingdom for the upcoming 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, chatter on the Sussexes’ departure has since reemerged. This was further exacerbated by the budding anticipation of whether the Sussexes would meet the cancer-stricken King Charles and Kate Middleton during their visit to the United Kingdom. 

However, on the same day that Harry arrived in the United Kingdom for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. Charles conferred William with a prestigious title believed to be reserved for Harry. Reportedly, the conferment was said to have sent the Duke of Sussex “in tears.” Aside from this, Harry’s public appearance at St. Paul's Cathedral on May 9, 2024, was alleged to have sent a signal to his family that “he's not the bad boy he's portrayed as being.”

On April 9, 2024, a royal insider revealed to Page Six that there had been talk of King Charles possibly extending an olive branch to Prince Harry and Meghan so that he could reunite with his grandchildren. 

“I can see Charles desperately wanting to see the children, and extending this olive branch to Meghan and Harry. He may decide that life is just too short,” the insider claimed to the outlet. “Balmoral is truly the perfect, restful place for a reunion. If he does issue an invite, then Harry and Meghan should surely agree to the visit.”

However, Prince Harry’s spokesperson stated that a meeting between Harry and Charles wouldn’t be possible.  

"In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not The Duke will meet with his father while in the U.K. this week, it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full program. The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon,” the spokesperson shared. 

People expressed their frustration on social media following the unfortunate news. 

“That’s absolutely unforgivable, that a Dad can’t prioritize his son. King or not!!!” a user shared on X, formerly Twitter. 

“Harry deserves better. Shame on #KingCharles. He treated #PrincessDiana terrible as well. #TheWholeWorldIsWatching,” another wrote. 

“Shameful… but Prince Harry can sleep well at night. He has reached out numerous times.” a user echoed. 

“While I understand that Charles has a full schedule along with chemo treatments, it is a shame that the royal family can't put their differences aside at trying times like these and make amends. The people that lose out are the children. It's not their fault that their parents and other adults are acting like children. Time to grow up,” a fan wrote on Facebook. 

On May 7, 2024, the same day Prince Harry arrived in the United Kingdom, King Charles made a surprising announcement that would snub his youngest son of a military title he was presumed to receive. As Harper’s Bazaar quoted, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles named Prince William the Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps, a title reported to be reserved for Prince Harry. The title will be officially transferred on May 13, 2024, at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop. 

The palace's statement read, “His Majesty the King will officially hand over the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.”

Royal expert Tom Quinn told The Mirror that Harry, who famously served with the corps in Afghanistan, was “in tears” after his older brother was given the title. 

“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,” Quinn said. "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. 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 palace reported in April 2024 that the cancer-stricken Kate was awarded the Royal Companion of the Order of the Companions of Honour title, while Prince William was conferred the Great Master of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath. 

Quinn opened up to The Mirror about Harry's alleged feelings on the matter and the hard time he was having about being overlooked for the title. He said: 

"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."

He added that senior royals "knew" the situation would "really hurt" Harry, who was "said to have been in tears when he heard." He added:

"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."

Quinn gave further insight into the "rushed" feeling of everything:

"Being Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps was something Harry really did enjoy and of which he was very proud," Quinn added. "There is a rushed feel to the whole thing too as if they can’t wait to be rid of this troublesome prince – which is why Harry’s role will be transferred to William in just a few days’ time, on 13 May." 

On May 9, 2024, a few days ahead of the ceremony, Harry wore his KCVO Neck Order and Star at St. Paul’s Cathedral for a special service to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. Notably, the British royal family was absent from the service. 

Unbeknownst to many, the KCVO Neck Order and Star that Harry wore was given to him for his service to the monarchy. Quinn pointed out to The Mirror that Harry’s decision to wear that emblem sends a strong signal to the “monarchy.”

"Harry was seen wearing his Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order medal at St Paul’s Cathedral for the Invictus service. The medal was given to Harry in 2015 by his late grandmother Elizabeth II for 'services to the monarchy,” Quinn explained. 

According to the royal expert, Harry’s decision to wear the emblem is a way to remind his family that his late grandmother valued his contribution, even if his father and brother think otherwise.

"Wearing the KCVO neck and star was also Harry's way of pointing out that he's not the bad boy he's portrayed as being by his father and brother,” Quinn added. "It's Harry's way of saying he still supports the monarchy despite the way he feels he has been treated. Perhaps more importantly, wearing the medal is Harry's way of saying, 'You've taken everything else from me, but you can't take this!'"

BBC reported in June 2015 that the late Queen Elizabeth II had made her grandson, Prince Harry, a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order. Harry served in the Army for a decade, including tours in Afghanistan. 

What can you say about Prince Harry’s decision to wear his KCVO Neck Order and Star? Do you agree with the royal expert’s theory on why he decided to wear it? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends and other royal family fans.