Prince Harry agreed bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview within 24 hours of being stripped of his military titles

PRINCE Harry launched ­bitter attacks on the Royal Family after he was stripped of his military titles, The Sun can reveal.

Retired major Harry, 36, agreed to the Oprah Winfrey chat within 24 hours of losing them in February’s final Megxit deal.

- Read our Meghan and Harry live blog for the latest updates

His anger had long thought to have been triggered by future king Charles telling him that son Archie could not be a prince.

But we can reveal he lost his cool after an argument about keeping his titles.

A source explained: “There was a bust-up just before Oprah but it wasn’t to do with Archie’s title.

“That had been known and discussed for quite a while.

“Harry and Meghan were very cross before Oprah because the final Megxit separation had just been signed off which included Harry not keeping military roles.

“That was what made him so angry. He’s very emotional and his military roles were very important to him given that he served.”

Harry, a retired Army major who served two tours of Afghanistan as Captain Wales, stepped away from royal duties in March 2020 before he and Meghan moved their family to the US.

On Friday February 12 this year, as part of the final separation, the Queen removed three key roles.

Harry's very emotional and his military roles were very important to him given that he served.

Source

They were Captain General Royal Marines — handed down by his late grandad Prince Philip — Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Honington in Suffolk and Commodore-in-Chief Small Ships and Diving, Royal Naval Command.

That same weekend, aggrieved Harry and Meghan, now based in Montecito, California, signed for the Oprah interview.

They filmed with US chat host days later — on Tuesday or Wednesday — and only hours after Philip went into hospital.

Palace insiders said his military roles were removed amid fears TV bosses could use them to promote his Netflix documentaries and US talk shows.

Sources said there would always be the suspicion and “that doubt” that his titles and patronages could be used to promote a project.

The Queen rejected Harry’s pleas for a “half-in half-out” role.

He was left stunned to learn as a non-working royal he could not wear military uniforms on royal duty. Instead, for Philip’s funeral in April, the Queen made everyone wear suits to spare Harry’s embarrassment.

Harry made a series of allegations in his Oprah chat in March — including claims a Royal Family member made racist comments about his unborn son.

DUKE'S 'TRIGGERS'

There were hopes tensions would ease when he flew to Windsor for the funeral, where he spoke to the Queen, William and Charles.

But since returning to his £11million US mansion he has blasted his upbringing, telling a podcast that he and Meghan moved their family to “break the cycle of pain”.

Then on his mental health documentary, The Me You Can’t See, he accused the royals of neglect, blasted Charles’s fathering skills and said that London “triggers” him.

Harry must briefly face life in the capital again when he and warring brother William unveil mum Diana’s statue at Kensington Palace on July 1.

Harry needs to be back in the UK at least five days before the unveiling, and pass a Covid test.

He is thought to be flying in from the States today or tomorrow and is expected to isolate at Frogmore Cottage, Windsor — which he has loaned to cousin Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank.

Harry and William are expected to stand together at the memorial a week on Thursday.

Palace courtiers are braced for a tense atmosphere despite the brothers calling a truce out of respect for their mother.

It is understood dad Charles will not attend and will travel to Scotland instead. There are currently no plans for Harry to meet his father.

But royal sources said the door had been left open for the pair to meet in the preceding days.

Meanwhile, Palace sources poured cold water on claims that Harry’s fury stemmed from the refusal to let Archie be a prince when Charles becomes King.

One said: “That’s not the kind of conversation the Prince of Wales would have.”

It has not been decided yet whether Archie will be a prince. Sources say decisions will only be made in the event of the Queen’s death.

Harry served in the Army for ten years rising to the rank of Captain. In Afghanistan he became the first royal in more than 25 years to serve in a war zone.

He was promoted in retirement to major in June 2018. A pal claimed: “His military work is one of the most important things to him. Of course he wants to keep them.”

In Harry’s Megxit statement he was clearly devastated by losing his honorary titles.

A spokesman said: “As evidenced by their work over the past year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain committed to their duty and service to the UK and around the world, and have offered their continued support to organisations they have represented regardless of official role.

“We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.”

He was described as “frustrated and saddened” over an article that claimed he had snubbed the Royal Marines when he stepped down as senior royal.

The Queen has yet to reassign the honorary titles to family.