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Queen rules out Military Uniforms at Prince Philip’s funeral to save Harry and Andrew embarrassment

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Updated on April 15, 2021

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According to reports, members of the Royal Family will not wear military uniforms to Prince Philip’s funeral.

The Queen is said to have determined that senior royals attending the service should dress in civilian attire.

Although he did two tours in Afghanistan, the Duke of Sussex, who lost his military titles after standing down as a senior working prince, risked becoming the only senior male royal not in uniform.

Although it is customary for those of military rank to wear their uniforms at state occasions, such as Prince Charles, Prince William, Princess Anne, and Prince Edward, they will now attend the funeral in mourning attire, according to ITV and the Daily Mail.

According to Sky News, the Queen has given her approval to the family’s decision to wear regular suits rather than uniform.

Prince Andrew, who stood down from public life after the scandal around his relationship with disgraced financial and sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein, was set to be elevated to the rank of admiral in 2020 to commemorate his 60th birthday, but the promotion was postponed due to the fallout from his disastrous Newsnight appearance.

Andrew was said to have considered wearing an admiral’s outfit to the funeral.

“The Duke of York is very keenly aware of Saturday’s funeral being a moment for the Duke of Edinburgh, HM and the nation,” a source close to Andrew told the newspaper. “He has neither wish nor intention to distract from that. Speculation on what he may or may not wear is just that, speculation, and no matters of this nature have yet been decided upon .”

“The Duke of York will do what is appropriate to the circumstances – he remains stepped back from royal duties.”

Later on Thursday, Buckingham Palace is set to reveal further information regarding the burial, including what to wear. However, sources informed the Sun that the Queen had agreed that the most practical solution was for all senior royals to dress in civilian clothes – mourning garments for men and black ties.

It comes after Kate Middleton shared a touching picture of the Queen and her late husband surrounded by their great grandchildren as a salute to Prince Philip.

The Duchess of Cambridge took the family picture in 2018 at Balmoral Castle, and Prince Philip seems to be quite calm with the children.

“The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh surrounded by seven of their great-grandchildren at Balmoral Castle in 2018,” read the caption on the official Royal Family Twitter account.