Prince Harry could not join senior royals at the Cenotaph because he was “not a working royal.” The Duke of Sussex spent 10 years in the British Army, including two tours in Afghanistan. However, a former palace aide said his military service did not change his official status. King Charles led the November 8 Remembrance Day event in London. Meanwhile, Harry attended a separate local ceremony, without Meghan Markle, after returning to Britain with his family.
Prince Harry was banned from royal Remembrance Day event as he’s not a ‘working royal,’ claims former royal aide
According to an Express report, former Buckingham Palace press secretary Dickie Arbiter addressed Prince Harry’s absence. “That is a national event,” he said, noting, “It is for working royals to lead the country.” He added, “He is not a working royal.” Arbiter concluded, “And therefore, that is not an option, and he can forget about that.” Meanwhile, King Charles led the Whitehall service, attended by senior royals, military figures and veterans. The ceremony featured a two-minute silence and wreath-laying.
Furthermore, Arbiter discussed Harry’s Army career in his book. The work was titled “On Duty With the Royals: The Inside Story of the Modern Monarchy.” He wrote that “the Armed Forces were the making of Prince Harry,” praising military discipline. However, he called leaving the Army “Harry’s greatest error.” He also described the aftermath, writing that the prince appeared “somewhat rudderless, a man of action lost at sea.” After stepping back from royal duties with Meghan Markle in 2020, Harry relinquished honorary military appointments.
Additionally, the Express recalled his 2020 request for a Cenotaph wreath that was rejected. His royal exit excluded a “half in, half out” arrangement. Nevertheless, the restriction concerned official royal participation, not public observances. On November 8, the Duke attended a service in Brackley, Northamptonshire, wearing medals and a poppy. Meghan Markle was absent. Separately, Harry continued supporting veterans through the Invictus Games and Scotty’s Little Soldiers.
