King Charles Appoints Prince William to Navy Position Linked to Prince Harry

King Charles has appointed Prince William to a army place with shut ties to Prince Harry.

On Monday, Might 13, King Charles bestowed the title of Colonel-in-Chief of the Military Air Corps upon his eldest son in a army ceremony on the Military Aviation Centre in Hampshire. In his new function, William, 41, is now the chief of his brother Prince Harry‘s former regiment. Harry, 39, educated as an Military Air Corps pilot in 2009, earlier than serving with the Corps throughout his second tour in Afghanistan up till 2014.

The appointment has sparked controversy because the title was extensively thought to have been meant for Harry. The timing of the ceremony announcement, made final week, additionally raised eyebrows, coinciding with Harry’s return to the U.Okay. for a quick go to to attend the Invictus Video games Basis’s Tenth-anniversary celebration at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London on Might 8.

PEOPLE understands Harry prolonged invitations to his father, brother and sister-in-law Kate Middleton. Nonetheless, not one of the senior members of the royal household attended the celebration.

Princess Kate, 42, has not returned to royal duties after saying her most cancers analysis, and remains to be present process therapies. In the meantime, William performed investitures at Windsor Citadel on the day of the service. A number of miles away, Charles and Queen Camilla hosted the primary backyard occasion of the season at Buckingham Palace.

A spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex beforehand confirmed the prince wouldn’t see his father throughout his time within the U.Okay. “In response to the various inquiries and continued hypothesis on whether or not or not The Duke will meet along with his father whereas within the U.Okay. this week, it sadly won’t be doable because of His Majesty’s full program,” the spokesperson mentioned. “The Duke after all is knowing of his father’s diary of commitments and numerous different priorities and hopes to see him quickly.”

King Charles first introduced the Prince of Wales’ appointment in August 2023. Along with being named Colonel-in-Chief of the Military Air Corps, he was additionally bestowed the titles of chief of RAF Valley (his outdated unit from his time in service) and Colonel-in-Chief of The Mercian Regiment.

On Monday, Charles met William in entrance of an Apache helicopter, the place he formally handed the title over to his son. After the ceremony, Charles and William met with serving aircrew in entrance of the plane.

Charles then departed the occasion, leaving the prince to hold out his first engagement because the Military Air Corps’ Colonel-in-Chief. William acquired a briefing from Lieutenant Normal Borton earlier than assembly with troopers within the regiment. He concluded his day by departing in an Apache functionality flight to offer him a greater understanding of the tools, in addition to the individuals who function it.

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Each Harry and William are educated army pilots, however whereas Harry served with the Military Air Corps, the Prince of Wales served as a search and rescue pilot for 3 years.

Following his transient go to to the U.Okay., Harry and Meghan Markle headed to Nigeria for his or her first go to to the nation. The couple arrived on Might 10, and commenced their tour by visiting an area college in Nigeri known as the Lightway Academy.

Throughout their go to to the college, Meghan, 42, expressed how proud she is of Harry after he gave a speech on psychological well being to the youngsters within the college.

“You see why I am married to him?” Meghan mentioned to the scholars and college. “It’s so inspiring as a result of he speaks the reality.”

Meghan and Harry’s journey to Nigeria marks their first worldwide tour since stepping away from their royal duties in 2020. The couple had been invited to go to the nation by its Chief of Protection Employees, the highest-ranking army official.