Prince Harry – who is currently in the UK for an anniversary of the Invictus Games – has been overlooked for a chief military position once held by his father King Charles for 31 years

In a major snub to Prince Harry, the King has handed over a massive new honour to his brother, Prince William.

Kensington Palace announced the King had bestowed an honour onto the Prince of Wales that he had previously held for 31 years. The plan had originally been put in place after the King took the throne in August 2023.

It comes after King Charles’ busy schedule threw a spanner in the works for meeting his son Harry this week. Harry landed in UK earlier today and has been spotted at an Invictus Games commitment, ahead of the main ceremony in St Paul’s cathedral on Wednesday, celebrating 10 years of the project.

Sources revealed last week that the monarch very much hoped to see Harry during his visit, diary permitting, but the duke’s team has since confirmed that won’t be happening.

Prince Harry returned to the UK today ( 
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)

A spokesperson said: “It, unfortunately, will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme. The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities.”

Despite the fresh blow, there was one sign Harry remains hopeful. The second part of the statement noted that the duke “hopes to see him [Charles] soon,” hinting that the door is still open for the King.

Prince William will take over as Commander-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps ( 
Image:
Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

The last time the pair were together was shortly after Charles’ cancer diagnosis had been announced when Harry rushed back to his home country to see his father in person. The duke only saw his father for 30 minutes before Charles returned to Sandringham to get some rest, having begun his cancer treatment as an outpatient.

Charles has recently been cleared by his doctors to return to some public-facing duties, after a period of being limited to working behind closed doors on business of state – something that his nephew Peter Phillips has noted left the monarch “frustrated”.

While Charles’s diary will “remain subject to doctors’ advice” and the monarch isn’t expected to be at full steam when it comes to working over the summer, his medical team is “sufficiently pleased” with his progress to allow the King to get back to official engagements. He kicked things off last week with a visit to University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre and a trip to the Royal Windsor Horse Show – one of the late Queen Elizabeth’s favourite events.