Prince Harry 'heartbroken' after Queen's ER initials 'stripped from his uniform' before vigil
As Prince William and Prince Harry united to hold a vigil for the Queen in Westminster Hall, eagle-eyed viewers noticed a tiny – but important – difference between the two brother’s uniforms.
The two brothers stood guard at the Queen's lying in state in Westminster Hall alongside their cousins on Saturday evening as a stream of mourners filed past after queueing for hours.
Harry, who saw action on the front line during two tours of duty in Afghanistan, has previously been denied the chance to wear his military uniform as he publicly mourns, because he is no longer a working royal.
But royal sources said the King decided his youngest son could wear uniform for the vigil.
Though the gesture appeared kind, a missing detail reportedly left Harry “devastated”.
His grandmother’s ‘ER’ initials were stripped from the uniform’s shoulders, while still appearing on both of his brother’s shoulders.
Before attending the vigil, Harry was reportedly considering wearing a morning suit to avoid the “humiliation”, The Times reported.
“He is heartbroken. To remove his grandmother’s initials feels very intentional,” a source told the publication.
On Friday evening, the Queen's children - Charles, the Duke of York, the Princess Royal and the Earl of Wessex - took part in their own vigil.
An exception was made for disgraced Andrew, who is no longer a working royal, to be allowed to wear his military uniform as a "special mark of respect" for the Queen.
At the event, the Queen’s initials could be seen on his shoulders.
Despite being a former Army officer, Harry has been in civilian dress for official events, including walking behind the Queen's coffin on Wednesday.
William and Harry were joined in their silent tribute around the coffin by cousins Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and Lady Louise Windsor and her brother Viscount Severn.
The Queen's funeral will take place on Monday 19 September.
Her Majesty's lying in state at Westminster Hall will close to the public at 6.30am
Just after 10.35am the coffin will be lifted from the catafalque.
It will be carried in a procession from Westminster Hall to the Royal Navy’s state gun carriage, which will then travel to Westminster Abbey for the funeral service.
The Queen will be buried in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in the afternoon, reunited with her late husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
