Queen will ‘have to decide whether Prince Harry can use HRH titles’ in funeral order of service after Megxit agreement
THE Queen will have to decide whether Prince Harry can use his 'HRH' title in the order of service for Prince Philip's funeral after an agreement made during Megxit.
Harry could technically be referred to simply as the 'Duke of Sussex' for the service - with his grandmother set to make the final decision.
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Both Harry and Meghan gave up the titles as His and Her Royal Highness after Megxit, although Harry is still sixth in line to the throne, and remains a prince.
It comes as:
- Prince Philip thought Meghan and Harry's Oprah interview was "madness", it's claimed
- The Queen went to church and walked her corgi puppies on her first Sunday without her beloved husband
- Prince Harry has arrived back in the UK alone after medics advised his pregnant wife not to travel
- The Duke of Sussex may be expected to not wear his military uniform at the funeral - although his brother will
- Just 30 mourners will attend the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral - with Mike Tindall, Princess Alexandra and the Earl of Snowdon likely to be among those invited
The couple agreed to stop using the word 'royal' in their commercial and charitable ventures.
In February, they were also stripped of their honorary titles by the Queen after confirming they won't return as working members of the Royal Family.
The 94-year-old monarch said she was "saddened" by the decision in a statement released at the time.
Harry is said to have been deeply upset after his positions as Captain General of the Royal Marines, Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Honington and Commodore-in-Chief, Small Ships and Diving were taken away.
He and his wife continue to be known as Duke and Duchess of Sussex after being given the titles as a wedding gift at their 2018 nuptials at Windsor Castle.
However, if 'HRH' isn't used alongside Harry's name on the order of service, it would mark a distinction between him and close members of his family, including William and Charles.
Meanwhile, it's not yet known how the Duke of Sussex is expected to dress for the service.
Harry cannot wear a uniform that corresponds with his previous positions in the forces as a result of giving up his honorary titles.
It's possible he'll instead wear a basic military uniform after his years of service.
Harry served in the Army for ten years, completed two tours of Afghanistan and was promoted to captain during a distinguished career with the forces.
Brother William, however, could wear his military uniform at the ceremonial service for Philip.
His active service with the armed forces ended in September 2013, but senior royals are treated as military members.
William also holds a number of ceremonial roles including Colonel of the Irish Guards and Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Navy Submarine Service.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams says a decision that would mark such a difference between the brothers is unlikely.
"This is obviously very sensitive," Mr Fitzwilliams said.
"Anything that distinguished the brothers in that way, which would be so obvious for anyone watching, would probably be avoided.
";The whole thing we do not want is any form of rift.
"I'd suggest it would be handled in such a way as it goes totally smoothly without a hitch, and there are no issues.
'HARRY AND WILLIAM WILL DRESS THE SAME FOR FUNERAL'
"My opinion is that they would do everything possible to make sure that the spotlight on this very, very important day is where it should be, and that's on truly remarkable achievements of someone with superhuman energy who did so much for Queen and country."
Harry has returned to the UK alone to self-isolate ahead of his grandfather's funeral, which will take place at Windsor on Saturday.
The Duchess of Sussex, who is expecting her second child this summer, was advised not to travel to England for the service this weekend due to her pregnancy.
The Queen must choose just 30 people to attend her beloved husband's funeral.
The initial list - which stretched to around 800 - has been massively cut back as a result of the Covid crisis.
It's expected the Queen and Duke's great-grandchildren - including Princess Charlotte and her brothers - will be considered too young to attend.
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Boris Johnson will not attend the service to allow another member of the family to go in his place.
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The grandchildren's other spouses - Mike Tindall, Jack Brooksbank and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi - may attend to support their wives.
Charles, William and Harry will join the funeral procession - while Prince Philip's coffin will be carried to St George's Chapel in a specially-modified Land Rover.
