In a notable royal appointment, King Charles III has designated Prince William as the Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps, a role previously held by the king himself for over three decades. This decision has sparked discussion, especially since Prince Harry, who served with the unit in Afghanistan, might have been expected to receive this title if he had not relinquished his royal duties.

Prince William, though not involved in active combat, served as a search and rescue pilot and later as an air ambulance pilot. His military background, coupled with his position as the Prince of Wales, aligns with the responsibilities of the role.

The announcement was made as Prince Harry returned to the UK to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. Despite his visit, a spokesperson confirmed that due to the king’s “full programme,” there would be no meeting between father and son. This follows a brief encounter in February when Harry visited the king after learning of his cancer diagnosis.