PRINCE Harry has vowed to spend more time in the UK post-pandemic and is desperate to retain his military roles.
The Prince, a decorated veteran, was forced to drop his treasured military titles of Captain General of the Royal Marines, Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Honington and Commodore-in-Chief, Small Ships and Diving, Royal Naval Command pending a one-year Megxit review.
He is not allowed to take any particular role using the titles, but they have not yet been handed to other members of the family.
However, a source told The Telegraph the Army work was “one of the most important things” and it is without question that he will fight to keep the titles.
They added the Prince insists he will spend more time in the UK when it is safe to do so, and has only been confined to The States due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The roles will be examined in March as part of the monarchy’s 12-month review into Megxit.
Harry said he was “devastated” at having to give up his titles last year, adding he had “no choice”.
But now he has vowed to fight to keep them, although the Queen made it very clear that the Sussexes will not be able to operate a “one foot in, one foot out” of the Royal fold policy.
No official choice has been made of who will replace Harry if he is forced to drop them, although Princess Anne and Prince William are said to be being considered.
It comes after Harry yesterday won “substantial damages” from Associated Newspapers over “baseless” claims he snubbed the Marines after Megxit – and donated the money to the Invictus Games.
A statement on his behalf released after the short hearing Monday said: “Today, the Mail on Sunday and MailOnline publicly admitted in open court that they pushed a completely false and defamatory story.
“And they’ve apologised for questioning the Duke of Sussex’s commitment to the Royal Marines and British armed forces.
“The truth is that the Duke’s commitment to the military community is unquestionable.
“Unsurprisingly, The Mail again misled their readers in December by claiming to make a charitable donation as part of an initial apology. They did no such thing.
“The duke is personally donating the significant damages recovered from this legal resolution to the Invictus Games Foundation.”
Jenny Afia, for Harry, said: “The Duke’s commitment to the men and women who have put their lives on the line, to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, and to military families, is steadfast and unquestionable.
“For this reason, the baseless, false and defamatory stories published in the Mail on Sunday and on the website MailOnline constituted not only a personal attack upon the Duke’s character but also wrongly brought into question his service to this country.”
She added Harry was donating his damages “so he could feel something good had come out of the situation”.
The Mail on Sunday printed an apology and accepted Harry had been in touch with the Royal Marines.
They also made a donation to the Duke of Sussex’s Invictus Games foundation.
