Squadron Leader, Royal Air Force

On 14/05/2018, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, was promoted to substantive ranks across all three branches of the United Kingdom’s Armed Forces, just five days before his wedding to Meghan Markle. The promotions elevated him to Major in the British Army, Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy, and Squadron Leader in the Royal Air Force. These advancements reflected Prince Harry’s decade of military service, which began when he entered the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2005. During his career, he served in the Blues and Royals regiment and later qualified as an Apache helicopter pilot with the Army Air Corps. He completed two operational tours in Afghanistan, the first in 2007 to 2008 and the second in 2012 to 2013. The announcement of the promotions came shortly before his wedding on 19/05/2018 at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. The timing aligned with royal and military traditions, where rank advancements can accompany significant milestones or reflect service history and standing. Prince Harry’s military background continued to inform his public work, particularly his involvement in initiatives supporting injured service personnel and veterans, including the Invictus Games, which he founded in 2014.