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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Sophie Halle-Richards

'Devastated' Prince Harry nearly didn't wear military uniform to vigil after 'humiliation' minutes before - reports

Prince Harry considered not wearing his military uniform to a vigil for his late grandmother after suffering a "humiliation," according to reports from the Times.

At King Charles request, his son wore the uniform during a vigil by the Queen's coffin at Westminster Hall on Saturday (17 September), joined by Prince William, and the late monarch's other grandchildren.

However, Harry was said to be "devastated" to find when he received his uniform from Buckingham Palace yesterday, his grandmother's "ER" initials had been stripped from the shoulder, the Times reports.

READ MORE: Camilla pays heartfelt tribute to the Queen

The prince, who saw action on the front line during two tours of Afghanistan, has previously been denied the chance to wear his military uniform as he publicly mourns, because he is no longer a working royal.

During a vigil held by the Queen's children on Friday night, the Duke of York, who is also no longer a working royal, retained the initials on his vice-admiral's uniform.

According to a friend, minutes before leaving for Westminster Hall, Harry considered wearing a morning suit instead to avoid the "humiliation" adding: "He is heartbroken. To remove his grandmother's initials feels very intentional."

Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Princess Eugenie of York, Princess Beatrice of York, Peter Phillips, Zara Tindall, Lady Louise Windsor, James, Viscount Severn arrive to hold a vigil in honour of Queen Elizabeth II (Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II's grandchildren appeared sombre as they made their way down the steps before taking their positions, where they then stood with bowed heads for 15 minutes.

After a brief pause, members of the public were able to continue filing past the late monarch's coffin, paying their final respects while witnessing the royal family's very public grief.

The latest saga comes as the Mail Online reported that Harry and Meghan found out they had been "uninvited" to a reception at Buckingham Palace via the media.

Both were said to be initially invited, then allegedly banned from attending the event at Buckingham Palace on Sunday. The excuse allegedly given was that the occasion was for working royals only.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (Getty Images)

Despite the strained relationship between Harry and William, the brothers appear to have formed a united front since the passing of their grandmother.

The royal brothers reunited to walk behind their grandmother's coffin on its way to Westminster Hall ahead of the Queen's funeral, and could be seen reading floral tributes and greeting members of the public together.

With Harry now living with his wife Meghan in the United States, and William with his wife Kate at Windsor, it was a rare moment for the brothers, who are now rarely seen together.

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