The former playboy prince gets away with breaking protocol in ways his family members could only dream of.
We take a look back at the times Harry has managed to get his way, despite a history of bad behaviour.
Naughty antics
Harry has faced a number of controversies over the years, but it was water off a duck’s back for the party-loving young prince. He was condemned for a decision to wear a Nazi uniform at a costume bash in 2005, and then in 2012 he was photographed naked at a party in Las Vegas.
Among his other indiscretions was the time he was caught drunkenly diving into a pool, when he fought off paparazzi, and when he was spotted drinking champagne out of a prosthetic leg! But none of it appeared to damage his close relationship with the Queen.
Combining business with pleasure
Prince Harry raised royal eyebrows when he visited Meghan in Toronto after an official Caribbean tour. Royal Family policy states its members should not combine official visits with their personal affairs.
Inviting Meghan to Christmas before marriage
While protocol dictates only spouses can be brought to the royal Christmas festivities at Sandringham, Harry was permitted to bring Meghan along before the pair were married.
Prior to officially becoming the Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine wasn’t allowed to spend Christmas with her husband-to-be Prince William in 2010.
An unconventional wedding
The wedding of Harry and Meghan was unconventional in a number of ways. It took place in May for one thing, which has long been considered an unlucky month for the superstitious British royals to marry during.
Harry was the first Royal Family member to be granted a church wedding for a marriage to a divorcee. Prince Charles and Camilla – both divorced themselves – had a civil ceremony when they married in 2005.
Harry and Meghan’s ceremony was unlike any other seen in royal history, featuring a gospel choir and an African-American bishop.
Harry’s beard was even considered to be controversial – the Queen granted Harry permission to have facial hair for the wedding, despite it being against protocol. With Harry being a captain in the British Royal Army, he was expected to follow the rule that troops in uniform cannot have facial hair.
Public displays of affection
Harry and Meghan are more affectionate than most royal couples, frequently seen holding hands and even kissing in public. Harry is also the first royal husband to wear a wedding ring.
He has also publicly defended his wife when she has been attacked in the media, giving insight into how protective he feels of her.
Stepping back from royal duties
Despite the many times the Queen has made allowances for her grandson, it seems Harry still wasn’t satisfied with his royal existence. His discontent with royal life resulted in the announcement alongside his wife that the couple will be stepping back from royal duties.
With Harry already being so used to breaking the rules, he didn’t hesitate to make the public announcement despite not conferring with the Queen before doing so.
Even though a huge public backlash followed, the Queen has once again capitulated to Harry’s requests – announcing she and the family are “entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family”.
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