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QUIT MEDAL-ING
Prince Harry’s ‘snub’ to Royal Family hidden in glitzy ‘Soldier of the Year’ award video
Harry also showed off his Golden Jubilee, Diamond Jubilee and Platinum Jubilee medals
PRINCE Harry hid a snub to the Royal Family in a new glitzy video shot in his backgarden, a royal expert has claimed.
The Duke of Sussex this week donned his military gear at his home in Montecito to present an award to a soldier - but left out one crucial medal.
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One of the medals was the Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan which Harry earned as a helicopter pilot in Helmand in 2008.
Harry also showed off his Golden Jubilee, Diamond Jubilee and Platinum Jubilee medals.
However, eagle-eyed royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams noticed he did not wear his Coronation Medal - and he believes it was a deliberate move.
Speaking to The Sun, he explained: “If you look at the medals that Harry chose to wear, what you don't find is the Coronation Medal, and that, I think is extraordinary.
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“The Sussexes are well aware that every single thing they do, everything they wear, everything they say, is all going to be examined.
“If you consider that he's almost certainly coming over (to Britain) for the service about the remarkable Invictus games.
“The problem is that if he chooses not to wear the coronation medal, it will certainly be seen as a snub to King Charles.”
The medal acts as a token of the nation's thanks for those that contributed to the King's coronation.
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It comes after the prince was banned from wearing his ceremonial military uniform because he is no longer a working royal.
Mr Fitzwilliams believes the fact he decided to wear his medals shows how he feels closer to his fellow soliders than to his own family.
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Speaking to The Sun, he explained: “This is unquestioned, but he's always regarded the military as an extended family, and he's said that from time to time.
“He's paid tribute to it. Invictus is one of the things he's given back clearly, because it helps wounded service personnel.
“I think that he believes that the military was a pivotal part in his life. So obviously, when appropriate, he wears his medals, and obviously this has been a subject of controversy before.
“I mean, he isn't a senior working royal, and there are rules on this equally. There's no doubt the Sussexes are not fond of royal rules. Very constricting.
“I think there's no doubt that Harry is proud of his medals, and it's part of his past that he is proud of.
“There are those who would comment that a lot of his past, he was brought up after all, to be a loyal member of the Royal family.
He has not been in the last four years - because he and Megan have done a lot of damage to the royal family in their attacks.”
Prince Harry's medals
2002 - Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal was awarded to all those in active service on February 6, 2002, who had been in the forces for five years.
2008 - Afghanistan Operational Service Medal to mark his service at the frontline in Helmand Province.
2012 - Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal, awarded to mark his grandmother’s sixtieth year on the throne in 2012 and given to all those in the Armed Forces, emergency services, prison services and members of the Royal Household.
2022 - Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal At the Queen's procession, Harry wore Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilee medals, as well as the KCVO Star, representing the Royal Victorian Order and the Afghanistan Service Medal on his chest.
In the video the duke presented Sergeant First Class Elizabeth Marks with a Soldier of the Year gong at his £12million California home.
In a clip filmed from his back door, Harry hailed US combat medic Marks as a "friend" and "beacon of inspiration".
Harry recorded the video tribute for an awards ceremony hosted by the Military Times news site, which Marks attended in person.
He told veterans watching the speech: "Know that your community and indeed the international community is grateful.
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'Grateful for all the sacrifices you and your family have made, grateful for your service to your country.
"Grateful for continuing the important values we learnt. Tonight, it's for you. Thank you for all that you've done."Harry was last spotted wearing his medals in a comedy video he recorded for Stand Up for Heroes last November.