As Prince William gets new military title with Army Air Corps, we'll never know if Harry should have got the role
King Charles has handed over the title of colonel-in-chief of Prince Harry's old regiment to Prince William in a ceremony as the monarch gets back out and about following the start of his cancer treatment.
Monday 13 May 2024 22:12, UK
It was one of those days where it felt like both father, and at least his eldest son, had something to smile about.
In the last week, I've seen the King twice close up, back out on public duties, and it wouldn't be an understatement to say he seems almost giddy to finally get out and just chat to people.
Interestingly, it also appears to be one of those moments that gives us unexpected insights into how he's doing with his cancer treatment.
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The palace not wanting to overshare, but the King happy to talk to one Army Air Corps veteran, who's also had cancer, about how his undisclosed treatment has meant the monarch has lost his sense of taste.
But bringing it back to the real reason he was there, he did appear slightly more sentimental as he made an impromptu speech about his 32-year link with the Army Air Corps.
Rather aptly, it was in front of the control tower that he would hand over a simple blue beret and the responsibilities of colonel-in-chief to Prince William, after also giving a surprise ringing endorsement of his son's flying skills.
The Prince of Wales couldn't have seemed happier to take over the appointment, posting pictures of himself with Apache aircraft from previous visits all over the palace social media this morning.
His excitement was not surprising really for a man who loves flying, the delight written all over his face as he climbed into the seat of an Apache helicopter to fly him off base at the end of the visit.
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But while it may make sense for a former Prince of Wales to hand the role over to the new one, after all so much of what they do is in line with tradition, you couldn't help but wonder if it would have been different if other family relationships were slightly less strained.
Prince Harry trained to fly Apaches with the Army Air Corps.
In 2010, his father presented him with his provisional wings before he served in Afghanistan.
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There was a time when it would have made sense for him to become their colonel-in-chief.
But leaving royal duties means no official military ties either.
It will be dressed up as the monarch simply handing over to the heir, we'll never know if it was really meant to be that way.