King Charles Appoints Prince William as Colonel-in-Chief of Army Air Corps

In a significant ceremony held at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, Hampshire, King Charles III officially appointed Prince William as the new Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps on Monday, May 13, 2024. The role, previously held by King Charles for 32 years, was handed over to the Prince of Wales in a move that has sparked controversy due to its close ties to Prince Harry.

Why this matters: This appointment highlights the ongoing changes within the British royal family and the shifting dynamics between its members, particularly in the wake of Prince Harry's departure from royal duties. As the monarchy navigates these changes, the decision to entrust Prince William with this important military role may have implications for the future of the institution and its relationships with its members.

Prince William, 41, now leads his brother Prince Harry's former regiment. Harry, 39, trained as an Army Air Corps pilot in 2009 and served with the Corps during his second tour in Afghanistan until 2014. The appointment ceremony coincided with Harry's brief return to the U.K. to attend the Invictus Games Foundation's 10th-anniversary celebration at St. Paul's Cathedral in London on May 8. Despite extending invitations to his father, brother, and sister-in-law Kate Middleton, none of the senior members of the royal family attended the event.

During the ceremony, King Charles expressed mixed emotions, stating, "I did just want to say what a great joy it is to be with you even briefly on this occasion... But also tinged with great sadness after 32 years of knowing you all and admiring all your many activities and your achievements throughout the time, I've been lucky enough to be Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps." The King also praised Prince William's aerial skills, saying, "The great thing is he's a very good pilot indeed, so that's encouraging."

Following the ceremony, Prince William received a briefing from Lieutenant General Borton and met with soldiers in the regiment. He concluded his day by departing in an Apache capability flight to gain a better understanding of the equipment and the people who operate it. Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle headed to Nigeria for their first visit to the country, where they visited a local school and Meghan expressed her pride in Harry's speech on mental health to the children.

King Charles first announced Prince William's appointment in August 2023, along with his titles as chief of RAF Valley and Colonel-in-Chief of The Mercian Regiment. The decision comes amidst ongoing tensions within the royal family, with Prince Harry and Meghan having stepped back from their royal duties in 2020 and moved to the United States. The relationship between Prince Harry and his father has been strained by revelations and criticisms of royal life aired in a television interview, a Netflix documentary, and Harry's autobiography "Spare."

The appointment of Prince William as the new Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps marks a significant milestone in the ongoing evolution of the British royal family. As King Charles navigates his reign and the challenges posed by the estrangement of Prince Harry, the decision to entrust Prince William with this important military role underscores the King's confidence in his elder son and the future of the monarchy. The ceremony at Middle Wallop serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring traditions and the changing dynamics within the royal institution.