The Duke will be given special dispensation to wear his uniform after the Duke of York was told he could do the same as “the ultimate mark of respect” for the more personal gestures. The King, Princess Royal, Prince Andrew and the Earl of Wessex will hold their own vigil at 7.30pm. on Friday, they stand in silence on the four sides of the catafalque in Westminster Hall. All eight of the late Queen’s grandchildren – the Duke of Sussex, the Prince of Wales, Peter Phillips, Zara Tyndall, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn – will form their own honorary guard on Saturday night.
“Common sense has prevailed”
A reversal of the decision to allow Harry, as a non-working royal, to wear military uniform for the occasion is said to have been made after palace officials intervened on his behalf. A royal source is quoted as saying: “Common sense has prevailed. “It was a ridiculous situation, given that the Duke of Sussex has served his country and is a highly respected member of the Armed Forces with all he has done for veterans. “It is important that the Queen’s grandchildren are all welcome and comfortable as they mourn their beloved grandmother together.” A royal source confirmed the decision was made without interference from the Duke, who was prepared to wear whatever his grandmother had designed. It was announced earlier this week that the Duke, who served 10 years in the army and did two tours in Afghanistan, will be banned from wearing uniform to all ceremonial events during the mourning period. His spokesman said he would “wear a morning suit to all events in honor of his grandmother”, insisting his decade of military service was “not defined by the uniform he wears”. At the state funeral on Monday, both the Dukes of Sussex and York will be dressed in the morning. Their status as non-working royals was brutally underlined this week as they were excluded from royal salutes during the procession from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster. They walked in suits, while others wore full military uniform.
