On May 19th, 2018, millions of people around the world tuned in to watch the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. While much of the attention was focused on the bride’s iconic Givenchy gown and the couple’s touching vows, some eagle-eyed viewers also took note of the groom’s distinctive uniform. Prince Harry, a former captain in the British Army, chose to wear the regimental dress uniform of the Blues and Royals, a cavalry regiment closely associated with the British monarchy. In this blog post, we’ll explore the history and symbolism behind Prince Harry’s wedding uniform.
The Blues and Royals
The Blues and Royals, formally known as the Household Cavalry Regiment, was formed in 1969 by the amalgamation of two historic cavalry regiments: the Royal Horse Guards (The Blues) and The Royal Dragoons (The Royals). The regiment is made up of two squadrons: the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, which provides ceremonial and security duties on horseback, and the Household Cavalry Regiment, which consists of armoured reconnaissance vehicles and serves as an operational unit.
The Blues and Royals have a long association with the British monarchy. The regiment is one of the seven regiments of the British Army’s Household Division, which is responsible for guarding the monarch and other royal residences, as well as providing ceremonial duties such as the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Members of the regiment have also served as personal bodyguards to the monarch and other members of the royal family.
The Frockcoat Uniform
Prince Harry’s wedding uniform was the frockcoat uniform of the Blues and Royals. This distinctive uniform features a dark blue wool frockcoat with a stand-up collar and gold embroidered cuffs, worn over a waistcoat and black trousers. The uniform also includes a cross-belt of white leather, which bears the regiment’s badge in silver, and a gold and crimson sash, which is worn over the left shoulder. The uniform is completed with a gilded and enameled sword, a blue peaked cap with a chin strap, and black patent leather boots.
The frockcoat uniform of the Blues and Royals is a traditional uniform that has been worn by members of the regiment for many years. The uniform’s distinctive style reflects the regiment’s history as a cavalry unit, and its association with the British monarchy. The uniform is still worn by members of the regiment on ceremonial occasions, such as state visits and royal weddings.
Symbols and Significance
Prince Harry’s choice of the Blues and Royals’ uniform for his wedding was a deliberate and symbolic choice. As a former captain in the British Army who served on active duty in Afghanistan, Prince Harry wanted to pay tribute to his military service and the military service of others. The uniform was a subtle nod to the importance of the military in British society and the British monarchy.
The frockcoat uniform of the Blues and Royals is also a symbol of Prince Harry’s place in the British royal family. The uniform’s rich history and association with the monarchy reflect the enduring importance of the royal family to British culture and history. By wearing the uniform, Prince Harry was acknowledging his role as a member of the royal family and his duty to uphold the traditions of the monarchy.
Finally, the gold and crimson sash worn by Prince Harry is a symbol of his honorary appointment as a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order. The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood that recognizes distinguished personal service to the monarch. Prince Harry was awarded the honor in recognition of his service to the monarch, particularly his work on behalf of the Invictus Games, a paralympic-style event for wounded, injured, or sick military personnel and veterans.
The Verdict
Prince Harry’s wedding uniform was a stylish and symbolic choice that reflected his military service, his place in the British royal family, and his dedication to duty and service. The uniform’s distinctive style and rich history made it a fitting choice for such an important occasion. By wearing the uniform, Prince Harry demonstrated his commitment to upholding the traditions and values of the British monarchy, and his gratitude for the military service of others. Overall, the uniform was a powerful symbol of the enduring importance of the monarchy to British society and culture, and of the respect and admiration that many people around the world have for the British royal family.
FAQ
Why was Prince Harry’s uniform different?
Prince Harry’s decision to step back from his royal duties has been the subject of much speculation and scrutiny, including his absence from the Trooping the Colour celebration in June 2022. Unlike other members of the royal family, Harry was not in uniform for the event, which left many wondering why his uniform was different.
It is important to note that Harry is a veteran of the British Army, having served for 10 years, including two tours of duty in Afghanistan. As a result of his military service, he is entitled to wear various military honors and decorations, including his regimental uniform. However, since his decision to step back from his royal duties, Harry has been given a new role within the royal family as a private citizen. This means that he is no longer an active working member of the royal family and doesn’t hold a royal military appointment or a commission in the armed forces.
As a result, Harry was not permitted to wear the full military uniform during the Trooping the Colour celebration. According to royal protocol, if a member of the royal family is no longer serving in the military, they are not allowed to wear the uniform – even if they are entitled to it.
It should be noted that Harry’s absence from the Trooping the Colour was not related to any rift or controversy within the royal family, as some have speculated. Instead, it was a simple matter of protocol and tradition. As Harry continues his new life outside of the royal family, it is likely that we will see him attend future events in civilian attire, rather than his military uniform.
Did Harry have ER on his uniform at his wedding?
There was a lot of speculation leading up to Prince Harry’s royal wedding to Meghan Markle surrounding whether or not he would wear his military uniform. Prince Harry served in the British Army for 10 years, rising to the rank of Captain and completing two tours in Afghanistan, so it was no surprise that he wanted to wear his military uniform for his wedding. However, what remained unclear was whether or not he would wear his uniform with his grandmother’s ‘ER’ initials on it.
It’s tradition for members of the British royal family to wear their military uniforms to formal events, so it was initially assumed that Prince Harry would wear his Blues and Royals uniform. His regiment is one of the oldest and most prestigious in the British Army, and his uniform would have included his service medals, an Afghanistan campaign medal, and a gold Jubilee medal.
However, in the days leading up to the wedding, there were reports that Prince Harry was “devastated” to find out that he would not be able to wear his grandmother’s initials on his uniform. The initials ‘ER’ stand for Elizabeth Regina, which translates to Elizabeth the Queen. These initials are traditionally worn by members of the royal family who have served in the military when they wear their uniforms to formal events.
Sources close to the situation reported that Buckingham Palace had denied Prince Harry’s request to wear his uniform with the ‘ER’ initials. The reason cited was that Prince Harry is no longer a serving member of the military, and therefore it would not be appropriate for him to wear the initials of a monarch whom he did not serve under.
In the end, Prince Harry opted to wear a less formal frockcoat uniform with the rank of Major. He wore a single-breasted blue uniform made of frockcoat material with black pants, boots, and a white glove, which is the uniform of the Household Cavalry. He also wore a pair of black leather gloves and a gold, blue, and red aiguillette on his left shoulder, which signified his rank.
To summarize, Prince Harry did not have the ‘ER’ initials on his uniform at his wedding. Despite reports that he was “heartbroken” by the decision, he still managed to look dapper in his less formal frockcoat uniform for the big day.
What was removed from Harry’s uniform?
Prince Harry has a history with the British military and served in the British Army for ten years, rising to the rank of Captain and earning numerous medals for his service. However, when he stepped down as a senior member of the royal family, he also had to relinquish his military appointments and honorary titles.
This change was also reflected in his uniform. On several occasions, Prince Harry was seen wearing a military dress uniform that included various medals, such as the Golden, Diamond, and Platinum Jubilee medals. These medals were awarded to commemorate significant milestones in Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, and Harry was entitled to wear them as a member of the royal family.
In addition to the Jubilee medals, Harry’s uniform also featured the Army Pilot Wings, which were awarded to him after he completed his helicopter training in 2010. This was a significant achievement for Harry, who had always dreamed of flying and had served as an Apache helicopter pilot during his military career.
However, the one thing that had the most sentimental value to Harry was the removal of the ER initials from his shoulders. Those initials represented the queen as the “Head of the Armed Forces” and had been a constant reminder of his grandmother and her service as queen. The removal of the ER initials from his uniform, along with his military appointments and titles, was a significant blow to Prince Harry. In fact, he was reportedly heartbroken by the decision, and it was said to be one of the factors that led to his controversial interview with Oprah Winfrey.
The items removed from Harry’s uniform were the ER initials, which he cherished as a symbol of his grandmother’s reign as queen, along with his military appointments and titles. Though he continued to be involved in various military causes and charities, his departure from royal duties meant that his role in the armed forces would be forever changed.
