Earlier this week, King Charles III announced his eldest son would be named the Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps, even though it was Prince Harry who served with the unit in Afghanistan.

Reports suggest that had Harry not stepped down from his royal duties, the role, which his father held for the past 31 years, would have likely been his.

While both William and Harry are trained military pilots, it was Harry who served in the Army Air Corps during his second tour in Afghanistan.

On the other hand, William, though not involved in active combat during his military career, served as a search and rescue pilot and later as an air ambulance pilot.

“His Majesty the King will officially hand over the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.

In August 2023, following His Majesty’s Accession, the King was pleased to announce military appointments including that the Prince of Wales would become Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps.

The role was previously held by His Majesty the King, as Prince of Wales, for 31 years,” Kensington Palace said in a statement.

The announcement coincided with Harry arriving in the UK to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.

After much speculation, a spokesperson for the duke confirmed Harry wouldn’t be meeting with his father due to the king’s “full programme.”

“The duke, of course, is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”

The last encounter between the two was in February when Harry made a quick visit to the UK, spending about 45 minutes with his father following King Charles’ cancer diagnosis.