4 Royal Roles Queen Elizabeth Had Handed to Prince Harry But Not William

Prince Harry was often described as the more relaxed and approachable one than his brother Prince William. He also had a close relationship with Queen Elizabeth. Over the years, the late Queen handed Harry several important royal and military responsibilities that gave him a special place within the monarchy.

One of the biggest roles handed to Harry was that of Captain General of the Royal Marines. The Queen announced in December 2017 that Harry would succeed his grandfather, Prince Philip, in the prestigious position. This role was especially meaningful because Philip had held it for more than six decades, and Harry had already built a strong connection with the armed forces after serving in Afghanistan, making the appointment a natural fit for him.

Harry also held an important connection with the Royal Air Force. He was appointed as the Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Honington. It was a military role that allowed him to support and represent the station. He held the position until 2020, when he stepped down from his senior royal duties. The post was yet another example of the Queen giving Harry a responsibility connected to the armed forces, an area that had always been an important part of his public life.

Harry's royal duties also extended to the Royal Navy. He served as Commodore-in-Chief of Small Ships and Diving, an honorary naval appointment. The position gave Harry the opportunity to represent a specialized part of Britain's naval forces. Like his other military roles, it reflected his long-standing connection with Britain's armed services.

Harry was also closely linked to the Queen's Commonwealth Trust, becoming its president when the organization was established in 2018. The role was specifically bestowed upon Harry, as the Queen, being the head of the Commonwealth, deemed him fit for the role. Around the same period, Harry was also appointed Commonwealth Youth Ambassador alongside his wife, Meghan Markle. The role allowed the couple to champion young people and youth-focused projects across Commonwealth nations. One must understand that the Commonwealth was especially important to the monarch. On her 21st birthday, then-Princess Elizabeth made a famous radio broadcast pledging that her whole life would be devoted to the service of the Commonwealth. And so it remained till her passing.