The Prince of Wales received the title in 2024 from his father

Amilitary honour bestowed on Prince William relating to the Army Air Corps was reportedly a “gut punch” to Prince Harry after he lost more than one title following his royal exit.

Prince Harry achieved the ranks of Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy, Major in the Army, and Squadron Leader in the RAF during his own military career. However, he returned the honorary appointments of Commodore-in-Chief of Small Ships and Diving, Honorary Air Commandant, and Captain General Royal Marines to Queen Elizabeth II in February 2021.

Since then, it has stood out how Prince Harry didn’t wear military uniform for his grandmother’s funeral in 2022. However, according to one historian, this isn’t the only “painful reminder” of what he gave up.

Prince Harry gave his honorary military titles back in 2021 (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Prince Harry’s recent letter to mark VJ Day

Reflecting on reports concerning a letter and a wreath laid on Prince Harry’s behalf during last week’s VJ Day commemorations, royal historian Dr Tessa Dunlop suggests the Duke of Sussex’s absence has also proved detrimental for other royal family members.

She posits Prince Harry’s reportedly “thoughtful” note, a tribute to his late grandfather Prince Philip, demonstrates how The Firm have ‘missed out’ with having Prince Harry on board.

Dr Dunlop called Prince Harry “once the royal family’s most effective military figurehead”. Furthermore, she suggests his absence has left a “gaping hole” in the commemorative circuit. She also claims no other royal is “a better fit” for such a role.

However, amid King Charles passing on a ceremonial Army Air Corps role on to his eldest son William last year, rather than his second son, Dr Dunlop sympathises with the Duke of Sussex, who had two tours in Afghanistan.

Many experts thought Prince Harry would have taken on the role if he remained a working royal.

King Charles passed military role to Prince William in May 2024 (Credit: SplashNews.com)

‘A painful reminder’

Dr Dunlop also highlighted Prince Harry may be affected in not being able to honour service people by laying wreaths himself.

She told the Mirror: “Having first laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in 2009, it was a painful reminder of the cost of what he had left behind.”

Prince William became Colonel-In-Chief of the Army Air Corps in 2024 (Credit: SplashNews.com)
She also said: “Doubling down on that pain was Prince William’s recent appointment as Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps in 2024. [This made] Harry’s big brother the leader of the regiment the duke once flew in Apache helicopters for in Afghanistan. In comparison, the Prince of Wales flew search-and-rescue helicopters in Wales.”

Doubling down on that pain was Prince William’s recent appointment.

Read more: Prince William’s medals and military awards explained as he proudly shows them off

Dr Dunlop added: “One more gut punch for the estranged duke.” She added Prince Harry’s letter demonstrated he has not forgotten “the most important role he was forced to abandon”.

However, she indicates his family “appears to have forgotten him”.

Royal Insider has approached representatives for Prince Harry for comment.