KING Charles arrived to name Prince William Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps, in a major snub against Prince Harry.
Charles, 75, met William, 41, in front of an Apache helicopter as he officially appointed his eldest son as leader of Harry’s former helicopter unit.
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The monarch was spotted arriving at the Army Aviation Center in Middle Wallop, Hampshire, in a rare joint meeting between father and son.
King Charles was in fine form as he waved to the large crowd that had gathered to welcome him.
Her Majesty and William were seen beaming as they shared a touching embrace in what was a symbolic passing of the baton.
The helicopter is the same one that Harry flew in service on his second tour of Afghanistan until 2014.
William, who flew with the Air Ambulance, will then take to the skies in the Apache.
Harry, who was in the Army Air Corps (AAC) for more than three years, qualified as an Apache commander in 2012.
He then undertook a five-month operational tour to Afghanistan, where he piloted the helicopter until January 2013.
Lieutenant Colonel Tom de la Rue, who commanded Harry in the Army Air Corps, previously said how the royal was a “true inspiration to many officers and soldiers in the Army Air Corps”.
In addition to formally handing over the Army Air Corps title to the next generation, the king met veterans and families and viewed exhibits at the Army Flying Museum.
Charles unveiled a plaque commemorating an Apache helicopter on display at the museum.
With cancer treatment still ongoing, the king is gradually returning to public engagements.
But it comes after the royal was “too busy” to see his youngest son when he visited the UK last week.
Harry, 39, was looking forward to seeing his father after traveling from California, but his spokesman said: “Unfortunately this will not be possible due to Her Majesty’s full programme.”
Hours later, in a second criticism, the king revealed that his eldest son, William, would receive the honors today.
Harry attended events marking ten years of the Invictus Games, while the king greeted Fiji’s prime minister at Buckingham Palace.
The Duke of Sussex stayed in a hotel when he returned to his homeland.
Harry traveled from his Montecito mansion on a whirlwind three-day visit to the glitzy event at St. Paul’s Cathedral on May 8.
He was just three miles from his father, who was hosting the famous Buckingham Palace Garden Party on the same night.
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The king even decided to hold a private meeting with former English star David Beckham on Friday, May 10, after snubbing his rebellious son Harry.
Becks, 49, bonded with Charles at his country home in Highgrove, Glos., to find out more about his charity, the King’s Foundation, a source close to the monarch confirmed last night.
The Sun exclusively revealed last October that the football ace had accepted an invitation to speak to the King to explore ways they could work together for a charity that provides skills training for young people.
Becks, known as Goldenballs, distanced himself from Prince Harry following his public attacks on the Royal Family after being an ambassador for the Invictus Games.
Despite the family drama, Prince Harry was seen beaming alongside Meghan on their three-day trip to Nigeria.
Harry ‘distressed’ by ‘scorned’ transfer
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told The Sun:
There is absolutely no doubt [a snub towards Harry].
I think Harry will be distressed by this.
Without a doubt it is something that he takes very personally, we know what he did for the military family, for the Invictus games, which is a wonderful thing, and of course this was very prominent in their visit, which was private to Nigeria.
But the fact is that the king is appointing someone he trusts as colonel-in-chief.
I mean, this could be generously described as a mess, but it’s a serious problem, because it tends to show that communication has gone completely out of control, and that’s a generous interpretation of that.
Frankly, I can see why the Sussexes aren’t trusted.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex touched down in Africa for their visit on Friday and have so far danced with schoolchildren and met with local residents and officials.
This is Harry and Meghan’s first trip to Nigeria as a couple, although they did go on a royal tour to southern Africa in 2019 when they were working royals.
They stepped down from royal duties and moved across the pond in 2020 – with their departure dubbed ‘Megxit’.
It remains to be seen when Harry will visit his brother William again, after their relationship has become increasingly strained over the years.
Harry left the royal family four years ago and has since made a series of shocking allegations about William.
Their relationship only worsened after the Sussexes made a series of accusations against the Royal Family in their Netflix docuseries.
Harry and William were last seen together at King Charles’ coronation last May, but they were seated apart and the duke quickly escaped.
Prince Harry and Prince William’s military experience
Harry served in the British Army for ten years, where he rose to the rank of captain.
He completed two tours in Afghanistan, including a two-month stint in Helmand.
The Duke of Sussex was then promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in The Household Cavalry (Blues and Royals) on 13 April 2008.
Harry later qualified as an Apache helicopter commander in 2013 after three years of training in the Army Air Corps.
During a five-month tour in Afghanistan, he served as co-pilot gunner, sharing flying duties and taking control of the weapons of the two-man Apache.
William served seven years in the army, more than three years as a search and rescue pilot.
He left the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 2013 as a rescue pilot to focus on charitable interests.
After leaving operational duties in the Armed Forces, Prince William retrained to become an air ambulance pilot.
William worked with the East Anglian Air Ambulance in 2015.
But in January 2017, Kensington Palace announced that it would complete its work with its last shift on July 15.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
