THE MILITARY UNIFORMS
British royal family dress code rules state that working royals wear uniforms for major events. In the events leading up to the funeral, King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Edward and Prince William wore their uniforms.
Prince Andrew and Prince Harry, who are no longer working royals, donned morning suits with their military medals attached for most of the period. Ironically, they are the only members of the royal family to have seen active combat.
They were permitted to don their military gear at a final vigil for the queen at Westminster Hall. Harry is said to have been devastated that the EIIR cypher on all military uniforms was removed from his shoulder even though Andrew got to keep it on his. Spending time in the armed forces is a rite of passage for senior male royals.
King Charles served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Navy. As the heir to the throne he wasn’t allowed to see active combat but collected several medals. As king, Charles automatically becomes the British armed forces’ new commander-in-chief.
Andrew had a 22-year career in the Royal Navy and served as a helicopter pilot in the Falklands War in 1982. He still holds the title of vice-admiral of the navy – the only military rank he’s been allowed to keep.
William joined the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst after graduating from the University of St Andrews in 2005. In 2009 he joined the
RAF and the Royal Navy and in 2010 worked as a searchand-rescue helicopter pilot in Anglesey for three years.
Harry spent 10 years in the armed services, rising to the rank of captain and doing two tours in Afghanistan.
Anne didn’t serve in the military but holds several military honours and titles and wears a Royal Navy ceremonial uniform, which she earned when she was promoted to admiral in 2012.
Prince Edward joined the Royal Marines after leaving university but dropped out before he completed the course. However, he holds many titles, including commodore-in-chief of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and Honorary Air Commodore of the Royal Air Force Waddington.