Prince William’s thinly veiled swipe at Prince Harry after King Charles delivers blow
Prince William has been appointed by King Charles as the new colonel-in-chief of Prince Harry’s old regiment.

King Charles arrives in helicopter to give Prince William major new title
Prince William appears to have made a thinly veiled swipe at Prince Harry after King Charles gave him an important new role.

The monarch arrived earlier today at the Hampshire village of Middle Wallop to officially hand over the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to his son and heir, William.

If he had not stepped down as a working royal in 2020, the ceremonial title would likely have been given to Prince Harry instead.

And in what will likely infuriate the Duke of Sussex, his elder brother left the village in an apache helicopter after receiving the new title – one similar to the aircraft Prince Harry co-piloted when he was in the British Army.

Although both brothers are trained military pilots, Harry served in the Army Air Corps over three years, including during his second tour of Afghanistan.

Unlike his brother, William was not actively involved in conflict during his time in the military, but did serve as a search and rescue pilot and later as an air ambulance pilot.

The role of Colonel-in-Chief was previously held by the King for 31 years.

It has been reported by the New York Post that Harry was “in tears” after it was announced that William would be taking on the military title.

Speaking to the Mirror, royal expert Tom Quinn said: “King Charles’s announcement … is a real kick in the teeth for the son who always felt marginalised and under-rated.

“What makes it worse is that the role is being given to the very man who Harry sees as the cause of so many of his problems – his brother.”

prince william pictured today

The King Passes Role Of Colonel-In-Chief Of The Army Air Corps To The Prince Of Wales

He also the timing was “deliberately” made and showed Harry was “no longer welcome”.

He added that the Royal Family “have decided the gloves are off and Harry needs to realise that when you betray the family, you don’t just escape things you hated doing as a working royal”.

The ceremony today marks another stage in the monarch’s return to public life after his cancer diagnosis.

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Like Princess Kate, the 75-year-old is undergoing cancer treatment after learning of his illness in February.

Speaking to those in attendance at the Army Flying Museum at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, the King said: “What a great joy it is to be here on this occasion. But also it is tinged with great sadness after 32 years of knowing you all and admiring your many activities and your achievements.”

Praising his eldest son, the King added: “Having had the pleasure of knowing you for so long I do hope you’ll go from strength to strength in the future with the Prince of Wales as your new colonel-in-chief. The great thing is he’s a very good pilot, so that’s encouraging.”