Following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, it is His Majesty The King’s wish that a period of Royal Mourning be observed from now until seven days after The Queen’s Funeral. However this raises many questions, especially for the more scandalous members of the Royal family as members must follow a strict dress code out of respect for the longtime monarch.
The Royals have a history of mourning rituals. Flags fly at half mast, everyone wears black. In fact, Queen Victoria wore black for 40 years after the death of her husband, Prince Albert.
However it is the Duke of Sussex who has drawn the most interest in what he will wear to her Majesty’s funeral.
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan stood down as Senior members of the Royal family in 2020. Following this decision, the Prince was also stripped, or rather ‘banned’ from wearing his military uniform at official events.
Following a series of reports on the matter the Duke of Sussex’s spokesman said: “(Prince Harry) will wear a morning suit throughout events honouring his grandmother.
Continuing that the duke’s “decade of service is not determined by the uniform he wears”.
Surprisingly, the other scandal-hit member of the family, Prince Harry’s uncle the Duke of York, will be permitted to wear his military uniform at the upcoming Vigil of the Princes in Westminster Hall as a “special mark of respect” for the Queen. He has not and will not wear his uniform to any other event.
Only working royals are permitted to dress in uniform. So this has come as a shock to royal watchers.
At the service of thanksgiving in St Giles’ on Monday, Andrew was in a morning suit, while his siblings, including Edward who dropped out of the Royal Marines, wore military dress as they formed a procession behind the Queen’s coffin.
As is custom for funerals and mourning ceremonies, other attendees will likely wear black.
