Harry who? Princess Anne to make history as she replaces embattled duke as head of Royal Marines
Princess Anne, the Queen's daughter, is expected to succeed her youngest nephew, Prince Harry, in a top military position, despite her age. Princess Anne will be the first woman to command the Royal Marines, making military history. Prince Harry held the position for less than two years until being relieved of it after marrying Megan and relocating to the United States.
Princess Royal now has the honorary title of Admiral in the Royal Navy, but it is expected that her new duty will be disclosed in August after the Queen's approval. Princess Anne is no stranger to the military, as she is married to Admiral Sir Tim Lawrence, a navy officer.
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The Royal family has changed dramatically in recent years, with Prince Charles now taking the lead in public appearances as the Queen, 96, decreases her responsibilities. All of Prince Harry's and Prince Andrew's honorary military titles have been stripped from them.
According to the Daily Star Sunday, Buckingham Palace will announce a number of new military appointments, including Princess Anne's appointment as head of the marines and the possibility of at least two new Army jobs. After Prince Harry and Prince Andrew were removed from their responsibilities as honorary heads, regiments such as the marines, the Grenadier Guards, the Irish Rangers, and the Yorkshire Regiment were left without an honorary head.
The Princess, who is 71 years old, is recognized for her extensive public appearances and currently commands ten regiments, including Colonel in Chief of the King's Royal Hussars, the Royal Scots, the Gurkhas, and the Royal Army Veterinary Corps.
The Princess will be expected to visit young marines in training, attend ceremonial occasions, and accompany the commandos in the field as Captain-General of the 350-year-old Corps. After it was revealed that the Queen would hand over to Prince Charles, royal advisers reduced Prince William's responsibilities. The Corps would be thrilled if Princess Royal became the next Captain-General, according to a senior Royal Marine source. "Princess Anne has a long tradition of working with the Royal Navy and would be a perfect fit for the role. Harry was only with us for a short time and we gave him his green beret, which concerned some people, and then he had to stand back from public life," the senior Royal Marine source told Daily Star.