King Charles Gives Prince William A New Military Role
King Charles reportedly held the military role for three decades before passing it on to his eldest son. But Prince William's new role is sparking controversy because of its close ties to Prince Harry, who will no doubt be feeling snubbed by the appointment.
Before he and Meghan Markle stepped down as senior royals in 2020, it was predicted that the role would have eventually gone to Prince Harry due to the time he served with the Army Air Corps in Afghanistan.
If you'll recall, Prince Harry, 39, served as a British Army officer for 10 years. His military service ended in 2015, and he rose to the rank of Apache helicopter commander. He was deployed to Afghanistan twice, from 2007 to 2008 and then again from 2012 to 2013.
Royal Author Thinks This Was A 'Calculated' And 'Cruel Snub' To Prince Harry
Christopher Andersen, author of The King: The Life of Charles III, was one of the many people who deemed the military appointment a "cruel snub" to the Duke of Sussex. "If there were any doubts that Harry is dead to his father and brother, then this one-two punch from King Charles should dispel them once and for all," Andersen told Fox News Digital, before referencing the fact that the King was also too busy to see his son during his brief trip to the U.K. earlier this month.
Andersen added: "By announcing that he was too busy to see Harry, even though the two men are just two miles apart, and then officially giving Harry's colonel-in-chief of the Army Air Corps title to William – one of the honorary military titles Harry cherished most – the King is slamming the door in Harry's face."
"This was a calculated, even cruel snub," Andersen continued. "Under other circumstances, I would have chalked it up to the fatal tone-deafness that the palace is so famous for. But the King could easily have carved out time to see Harry, and the announcement giving Harry's old title to William didn't have to happen just as Harry arrived in London. This was all very deliberate and very petty – and very personal."