Prince Harry ditches King Charles’s Coronation medal but proudly wears four other awards

Despite proudly displaying other British military medals, Prince Harry has chosen not to wear a Coronation medal given to him by his father King Charles for his recent appearance presenting 'Soldier of the Year' award at an award ceremony.

The 2023 Coronation medal was handed to everyone actively contributing and supporting King Charles’s Coronation on May 6.

The Duke of Sussex made a recent appearance via video, presenting the award to US combat medic, Sergeant First Class Elizabeth Marks, and hailed the medic for her "courage, resilience and determination".

Harry, 39, wore a black suit jacket, deep-red tie and sported four military medals.

These included - the Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan, which he earned in 2008 for his service in Helmand Province, the late Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal, which was awarded in 2002 to everyone who had been in active service for five years, Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee Medal, which was given to members of the emergency services, Armed Forces, prison service, and the royal household in 2012, and the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal.

Made of nickel silver, the King's Coronation medal features a double portrait of King Charles and Queen Camilla and was given as a thank you gift to those that made the historic service happen.

On the reverse there is a version of the Royal Cypher, a laurel wreath and the date of the Coronation. The ribbon is made up of red, blue and white vertical stripes, which are the colours of the Union Flag.

Everyone who actively contributed and supported the Coronation on May 6, including police officers, military service personnel, as well as those directly involved in the delivery of the Coronation received the medal.

It was also given to serving frontline members of the police, fire, emergency services, prison services and armed forces that completed five full calendar years of service. Around 400,000 Coronation medals were thought to have been handed out.

As Harry appeared in the video presenting 'Soldier of the Year', he said he had met Sergeant First Class Elizabeth Marks at the Invictus Games in Orlando 2016, and had presented her with four gold medals she had won in swimming.

He said: "To me, she epitomises the courage, resiliance and determination represented across our service community. And this is not just because of her swimming abilities.

"Ellie has courageously overcome every obstacle to cross her path. She has turned her pain into purpose and led through compassion and willpower, showing others that the impossible is indeed possible."

The award ceremony was hosted by the Military Times. It is an independent news website highlighting issues for the military community and honours one outstanding military member for each branch of service, based on service that goes beyond the call of duty, every year.