Prince Harry Doesn't Wear a Tie at World War II Veterans' Reception—and Doesn't Get Away With It

He said he felt "under-dressed"

Prince Harry committed a fashion and military faux pas Thursday while meeting with World War II veterans.

The 31-year-old royal, who has served in the British military himself, attended a reception in England for former U.K. troops who took part in the D-Day Allied invasion on the beaches of Normandy, France, which helped lead to the defeat of Nazi Germany.

Harry showed up at the event wearing a suit with no tie. And the World War II veterans, who did wear them with their military attire, noticed.

"I was told not to wear a tie and then you all turn up wearing ties, I feel under-dressed," Harry told John Phipps, founder of the D-Day Revisited charity.

"I told him he should wear a bloody tie," joked Ivor Anderson, a 91-year-old sapper in the 591 Para Squadron Royal Engineers. "I said I had a spare one. He said he couldn't wear mine because he didn't have his wings." 

During the event, Harry chatted with several of the veterans, many of whom will make an annual pilgrimage to Normandy next week, when the invasion will mark its 72nd anniversary.

"I have so much respect for you guys - running off a boat on to those beaches," he said.

Harry served in the British military for more than a decade. He served two tours in Afghanistan and was a British Army Apache helicopter pilot. He left the military in June.