Prince Harry to wear military uniform during Queen's vigil

Palace officials have reportedly had change of heart and Duke of Sussex can wear full military attire

Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan leave after a service for the reception of Queen Elizabeth II's coffin at Westminster Hall, London, on Wednesday. AFP

The Duke of Sussex will wear his full military uniform when the queen’s grandchildren honour her memory by holding a vigil at her coffin.

Prince Harry has been denied the chance to wear his uniform as he publicly mourned because he is no longer a working royal, despite being on the front line during two tours of duty in Afghanistan.

He was an Army officer, but he has so far been in civilian dress for official events, including walking behind his grandmother’s coffin on Wednesday when it was carried to Westminster Hall to lie in state.

But the Daily Mirror said palace officials have had a change of heart, with one source saying “common sense has prevailed”.

Prince Harry will reportedly join his brother, the Prince of Wales, and cousins Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall in holding a vigil around the queen’s coffin on Saturday.

Rehearsal at dawn for Queen Elizabeth's funeral - in pictures

An early morning rehearsal took place on Thursday for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London. All photos: PA

The funeral will take place in London on Monday.

A procession down The Mall during the early morning rehearsal.

Members of the military take part.

The procession makes its way through central London as Big Ben looms.

Soldiers outside Westminster Abbey.

The eyes of the world will be on Westminster Abbey.

An exception has also been made for the disgraced Duke of York, who is no longer a working royal but will wear his military uniform as a “special mark of respect” for the queen when he stands guard around her coffin during a vigil with his siblings on Friday evening.

On Monday, Prince Harry wrote of his special memories of the queen attending his passing-out parade in 2006 when he became an officer in the British Army.

Members of the public pay their respects as they pass the coffin of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II as it lies in state inside Westminster Hall, London. AFP

People queue in Westminster Hall to pay their respects. Getty

Queen Elizabeth's coffin arrived at Westminster Hall after a procession from Buckingham Palace. AFP

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth lies in Westminster Hall. PA

Long lines of mourners pass through Westminster Hall. AP

Queen Elizabeth will lie in state in Westminster Hall from Wednesday until a few hours before her funeral on Monday. AFP

He told of his “first meeting” with his grandmother as “my Commander-in-Chief”, and is believed to have been referring to the occasion when she made him grin and blush as she reviewed the cadets.

Buckingham Palace has been contacted for comment.

Queen Elizabeth II's coffin procession from Buckingham Palace - in pictures

King Charles III, Prince William and Princess Anne salute alongside Prince Harry and Prince Andrew, as the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II arrives at the Palace of Westminster, following a procession from Buckingham Palace. AFP

Queen Elizabeth lies in state in Westminster Hall before the public is allowed in to pay their respects. Getty Images

Prince William, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, walk in the procession as it arrives at Westminster Hall. AP

Britain's Prime Minister Liz Truss at Westminster Hall. AP

The choir performs at Westminster Hall. Reuters

A view of the London skyline during the procession of the coffin. AP

Zara Tindall, her husband Mike Tindall and Princess Eugenie arrive at Westminster Hall. AP

The imperial state crown sits on top of the coffin carrying Queen Elizabeth into Westminster Hall. Getty Images

The coffin is laid to rest in Westminster Hall. Getty Images

Prince Harry, Prince William, and Prince Edward follow the bearer party carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth into Westminster Hall. PA

A woman wipes away tears as she joins people sitting in Hyde Park. AP

Life Guards, a unit of the Household Cavalry, stand guard outside the Palace of Westminster. Getty Images

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry depart after the procession. Getty Images

The coffin is carried down The Mall. PA

A man overcome with emotion in Hyde Park. AP

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth is carried on a horse-drawn gun carriage of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery. PA

Mourners watch the procession at Hyde Park. Getty Images

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth, adorned with the royal standard and the imperial state crown, and pulled by a gun carriage of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, during the procession from Buckingham Palace in London. AFP

The procession leaves Buckingham Palace. Getty Images

King Charles follows the coffin of Queen Elizabeth. PA

The imperial state crown on the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II. AFP

Catherine, Princess of Wales, is driven behind the coffin. AFP

King Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry walk behind the coffin of Queen Elizabeth. AFP

King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward walk behind the coffin. Getty

The cortege makes its way along The Mall from Buckingham Palace. Getty

Prince William and Prince Harry follow the coffin. AP

Grenadier Guards flank the coffin of Queen Elizabeth. AP

Royal Navy soldiers march ahead of the procession near Big Ben. Getty

Coldstream Guards prepare outside Buckingham Palace, before the ceremonial procession. PA

King Charles waves to the crowds after leaving Clarence House in central London, before the procession. AFP

Crowds gather along The Mall. Reuters

Members of the Life Guards leave Wellington Barracks ahead of the procession. AP

Mourners gather to watch the procession in Hyde Park. Getty

A mourner at The Mall decorated with images of Queen Elizabeth. PA

Queen Consort Camilla arriving at Buckingham Palace. AFP