Prince William joked with King Charles as he took over a new role in a major snub of Prince Harry.
King Charles officially handed over the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to Prince William on Monday.
The monarch, who held the role for 31 years, passed the title down to his son William at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, Hampshire.
Charles’s youngest son, Prince Harry, was formerly attached to the regiment during his second tour of Afghanistan until 2014.
King Charles handed over Prince William Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps
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King Charles smiled and joked with his father at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop
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It was widely thought that Prince Harry would take over the role until he stepped back from royal life.
The decision for William to take charge of his brother’s old regiment was announced last August but the timing of the announcement for the prince to take over so soon raised some eyebrows.
The announcement was made after the Duke of Sussex landed in the UK for an Invictus Games event and did not meet with the King due to Charles’s “full programme.”
A source told The Sun: “Timing is everything.”
Prince William wore a navy blue suit and matching blue and red striped tie for today's event
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King Charles III meets members of the Army Air Corps
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Last week, Buckingham Palace announced: “At the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, His Majesty The King will officially hand over the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to His Royal Highness The Princes 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.”
Before taking over the role on Monday, Prince William posted sentimental pictures of his time in the armed forces.
🚁 Time flies! Looking back at the last two visits to @ArmyAirCorps in 1999 and 2008 ahead of today’s handover at Middle Wallop. pic.twitter.com/JUbFHxRZ6Q
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) May 13, 2024
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King Charles and Prince William wore matching ties
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In one image, the prince stands with his arms crossed in front of a helicopter and in the other, William smiles in the cockpit wearing a helmet.
Prince William served as a search and rescue pilot and as an air ambulance pilot during his time in the military.
Prince Harry served in the army for 10 years and undertook two tours in Afghanistan and qualified as an Apache Aircraft Commander.
However, the Duke of Sussex was stripped of his military titles by the late Queen Elizabeth II after leaving the Royal Family
