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(HOT NEWS) King Charles officially makes Prince William colonel-in-chief of Harry’s old regiment as strain intensifies

(HOT NEWS) King Charles officially makes Prince William colonel-in-chief of Harry’s old regiment as strain intensifies

King Charles has officially handed over the reins of Prince Harry’s old Army unit to the heir to the throne, Prince William.

The monarch, 75, arrived at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, south England, Monday where he made his eldest son colonel-in-chief of the Army Air Corps.

Charles presented the Prince of Wales, 41, with the prestigious honor that now means he will head up the military unit previously belonging to his globe-trotting brother, who served as an Apache helicopter pilot in Afghanistan.

King Charles III passing the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to Prince William, Prince of Wales at an official handover ceremony
King Charles has officially handed over the reins of Prince Harry’s old Army unit to the heir to the throne, Prince William
King Charles III of Britain waving upon arrival at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, England
The monarch, 75, arrived at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, south England

The historic ceremony took place just as the Duke of Sussex, 39, left Nigeria after a three-day tour with his wife, Meghan Markle.

On arrival Monday, Charles received a warm welcome at the military base where royal fans gathered to catch a glimpse of the sovereign and his son.

Charles and William were met by a Guard of Honor and Lieutenant General Sir Nicholas Borton, Colonel Commandant of the Army Air Corps, who escorted them to the Army Flying Museum.

Inside, the monarch unveiled a plaque to commemorate the arrival of the first Apache AH Mk.1 to be installed in a United Kingdom museum.

This Apache carried troops on their stub wings in the Battle of Jugroom Fort, Afghanistan, in 2007.

King Charles III and Prince William in suits during the official handover of the Colonel-in-Chief role of the Army Air Corps.
Charles made his eldest son colonel-in-chief of the Army Air Corps.
King Charles III and Prince William, both clad in suits, smiling as Charles officially passes the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to William.
The Prince of Wales, 41, will head up the military unit previously belonging to his younger brother.

After the ceremony, the father-son duo posed for photos in front of the Apache helicopter with members of the Army Air Corps. William also sat in the front seat of an Apache attack helicopter during their visit.

It’s been reported that the military honor would likely have been given to Harry if he had remained as a senior working member of the royal family.

Instead, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex quit royal life in 2020 and moved across the pond.

Prince William in front of an Apache helicopter at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, England, on Monday, May 13, 2024
The future king in front of an Apache helicopter at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, England
The Prince of Wales in his new role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps, prepares to board an Apache attack helicopter.
The Prince of Wales in his new role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps, prepares to board an Apache attack helicopter
Prince William spoke with service personal at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, England, on May 13, 2024.
Prince William spoke with service personal at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, England.
Prince William was photographed onboard of one of the Apache attack helicopters during his visit with dad King Charles on May 13, 2024.
Prince William was photographed onboard of one of the Apache attack helicopters during his visit with dad King Charles.

Both William and Harry are trained military pilots — however, Harry personally served in the Army Air Corps for more than three years.

As heir to the throne, William was not involved in active conflict during his time in the military.

Charles, for his part, held the role for 31 years, and announced in August last year that William would be taking over.

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, reacting to a speech at the State Governor House in Lagos, Nigeria during their visit for the Invictus Games anniversary.
The historic ceremony took place just as the Duke of Sussex, 39, left Nigeria after a three-day tour with his wife, Meghan Markle.
Prince Harry saluting with British troops during a Remembrance Sunday service in Kandahar, Afghanistan on November 9, 2014.
Both William and Harry are trained military pilots — however Harry personally served in the Army Air Corps for more than three years.

Over the weekend, it was reported that the king’s decision to bestow the honor upon William left Harry in tears.

“King Charles’ announcement … is a real kick in the teeth for the son who always felt marginalized and underrated,” royal expert Tom Quinn told the Mirror Saturday. “He is said to have been in tears when he heard.”

King Charles III passing the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to Prince William in a formal military ceremony
As heir to the throne, William was not involved in active conflict during his time in the military.
King Charles III and Prince William smiling in front of an Apache Helicopter with members of the Army Air Corps during a handover ceremony
After the ceremony, the father-son duo posed for photos in front of the Apache helicopter with members of the Army Air Corps.
Prince William speaks to service personal at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, England, Monday, May 13, 2024.
Prince William was not involved in active conflict during his time in the military.

“What makes it much 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 Harry, Duke of Sussex, delivering a speech at the Nigerian Defence Headquarters in a white suit, holding a microphone
It was reported that the King’s decision to bestow the honor upon William left Harry in tears.

Quinn claimed that the announcement was “deliberately” made while Harry was in the UK to show that the king’s younger son “is no longer welcome.”

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