Prince Harry is reportedly devastated after learning that his brother, Prince William, has been awarded a new military title once held by Harry himself. King Charles appointed William as the Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps, a role Harry cherished during his time as a working royal. According to royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams, this news has left Harry “in tears” and feeling further isolated from his family.
The military title was something deeply personal to Harry, as it connected to one of the few periods in his life when he felt recognized for his own achievements, independent of his royal status.
Harry had always taken great pride in his military service. He served ten years in the British Army, completing two tours of duty in Afghanistan, and his role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps was a point of honor. Losing that title has been particularly painful for him, as it symbolizes a deeper separation from his previous life and the duties he genuinely loved. Richard Fitzwilliams noted that for Harry, this decision by his father is a “real kick in the teeth,” especially given his strained relationship with both King Charles and Prince William in recent years.
The timing of the announcement has only worsened the situation for Harry. Buckingham Palace made the news public while Harry was in the U.K. for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, an event he founded to honor wounded veterans. During this time, Harry appeared at St. Paul’s Cathedral, wearing his KCVO (Royal Victorian Order) medal, a reminder of his contributions to the monarchy.
Royal author Tom Quinn suggested that Harry’s choice to wear the medal at this event was a symbolic gesture, saying, “This was Harry’s way of reminding his family that his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, valued his contributions to the royal family.”
Despite the emotional blow, Harry remains committed to his ties with the military. However, being stripped of this honorary role in favor of his brother has reportedly intensified his feelings of betrayal. Fitzwilliams commented that Harry believes this decision further marginalizes him, reinforcing the distance between him and his family. He is said to be especially hurt that the title was given to his brother, someone he sees as part of the reason behind many of his struggles with the royal family.
Harry’s reaction to William’s new title reflects deeper issues within the royal family. The strained relationship between the brothers has been widely reported, and this latest development is seen as a significant blow to any hopes of reconciliation. The fact that Harry was once proud of his role in the military but is now watching his former position being given to his brother is seen by many as a public demonstration of how far he has been distanced from his royal duties.
As the royal family prepares for the official title handover at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop in May 2024, it marks a further step in what some see as Harry’s increasing estrangement from his previous life. The appointment of Prince William as Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps seems to cement Prince Harry’s permanent departure from both his military and royal responsibilities, a reality that, according to sources, has left him deeply saddened and emotional.
Richard Fitzwilliams, a royal expert, emphasized that the conflict between Prince Harry and King Charles III is one of the most publicized family rifts in the world. He suggested that if the situation had been handled privately, away from media speculation, there might have been a greater chance for reconciliation. Unfortunately, the tensions between the Duke of Sussex and his father run deep, as evidenced by the fact that, even when Harry returned to the U.K. in May 2024, they did not meet, which shocked and disappointed the public.
A spokesperson for Prince Harry released a statement confirming that, despite numerous inquiries and rumors, the Duke would not be meeting with the King during his visit due to the King’s busy schedule. The statement explained that Harry understood his father’s commitments and hoped to see him soon. King Charles, recently back to his public duties after a period of treatment for cancer, was occupied with official events, including a meeting with the Prime Minister of Fiji and the season’s first garden party at Buckingham Palace.
This news led to a wave of public backlash, with many criticizing the King for not prioritizing his son. Some social media users condemned the situation, calling it “unforgivable” and expressing disappointment in Charles, while others defended Harry, noting that he had made numerous attempts to reconnect. One commenter remarked that it was clear King Charles chose his position and duties over his family.
Prince Harry’s schedule during his visit was also packed, as he focused on the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. He participated in various events, including giving a reading at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Despite being in the same country, the physical and emotional distance between Harry and his father—and his brother, Prince William—remains significant.
In an earlier interview with “Good Morning America,” Prince Harry spoke openly about the strained relationship with his brother. When asked how their late mother, Princess Diana, would feel about their falling out, Harry said she would likely be saddened but would also recognize that healing the relationship would require going through these difficult phases. He added that he feels his mother’s presence more strongly now than ever before, especially during these times of family turmoil.
Roller Skating and Skate Keys: A Nostalgic Blast from the Past
Roller skating has been a beloved pastime enjoyed by generations of kids and adults alike. It’s hard to believe that the first use of roller skates was in a London stage performance way back in 1743!
John Joseph Merlin, a London resident in 1760, deserves the credit for inventing the first skates. Roller skates have certainly come a long way since then!
In the United States, roller skating gained popularity as a pastime in 1935. But it wasn’t until the introduction of skating rinks playing disco music in the 1970s that roller skating became a huge trend. It seemed like everyone wanted to hit the rinks and groove to the music!
Speaking of roller skating, let’s take a trip down memory lane. Do you remember those heavy metal skates that you could attach to your shoes? They were quite the fashion statement back in the day. But there’s something else that you might remember if you were a skater before the 1970s – the iconic skate key.
This copper-colored object was an essential accessory for anyone with roller skates. At first glance, it may look like a bottle opener or some kind of tool, but it is actually a skate key. With the skate key, you could adjust the size of your skates by fitting it into the back of the pair. And to make sure they didn’t get lost while skating, most people wore the key around their necks. It was a small but significant part of the roller skating experience.
Skate keys were such an integral part of roller skating that there have even been songs written about them! They symbolize a time when roller skating was a cherished activity, filled with fun and memories.
So, do you remember skate keys? We’d love to hear your skating stories on our Facebook page. Let’s share this delightful blast from the past with others who may have fond memories of roller skating and skate keys too!
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