Prince Harry has a new job, y’all. Sort of. The way everyone is talking about Harry’s new position, you’d think that he’s signed on to work a regular 9-to-5 job for the rest of his life. That’s not happening. No, Harry is no longer going to be an active member of the Army Air Corps and he’s taken a military position that will have him “coordinating” big military and veteran events.
Prince Harry has said goodbye to his scruffy beard and hello to a new mission in the army. After a successful period flying Apache helicopters, Harry, 29, is taking a position with the military in London to help coordinate “significant projects and commemorative events involving the Army,” the palace said. He will remain a captain.
As he left his post, the prince was praised as an “inspiration” to other army officers.
“Captain Wales has reached the pinnacle of flying excellence as an Apache pilot, particularly in Afghanistan and, in the process, has proved to be a real inspiration to the many Army Air Corps officers and soldiers who have come to know him so well over the last two years,” Lt. Col. Tom de la Rue, who commanded him in the Army Air Corps, said in a statement.
And with his new role, Prince Harry wants to throw himself into bringing the Warrior Games to London. When he visited Colorado last May, he spoke about his desire to fill a stadium with Paralympic-style games for injured servicemen and servicewomen.
The games would require the involvement of the armed forces in the U.K., and the final sign-off from the government would be needed, but a royal source confirms research is being pushed through by the charitable Royal Foundation.
“Detailed feasibility work is currently being undertaken on behalf of the Royal Foundation and the [Ministry of Defence] on concepts and funding for the U.K. to host the inaugural International Warrior Games later this year. A final recommendation will be made at the end of January,” a spokesman at his office at Kensington Palace confirms to PEOPLE.
Along with trying to bring the games to London, those close to him add that his role will involve coordinating events for the military. And now that Harry will be based in London, he’ll conceivably be able to spend more time with girlfriend Cressida Bonas, whom he recently took out on a burger date.
“He’s reached the pinnacle of his flying experience with a successful operational tour. He achieved an awful lot,” said the royal source.
Can you feel it coming? I can feel it coming. Harry is basically saying goodbye to active duty military service and making a life for himself in London, a life that will soon need a wife and children. He’s totally going to propose to Cressida. I can feel it. WHEN is still in question, but I’m feeling like it will be this year. Maybe in the next six months. I’ve read that Harry is already planning on taking over the “apartment” next to William and Kate in Kensington Palace too. That “apartment” is like a mansion within a palace, so he’ll be wanting a wife and babies soon.
Oh, and did you read this story at The Daily Mail? It confused me, so I’m hoping someone will explain it to me, hopefully one of you royal experts. The story is basically that William, Kate and Harry have all set up private “firms” to “protect their brand.” I guess it’s like… they’re trademarking their names so that companies can slap royal images on their products and claim “Duchess Kate uses Windex!” or whatever. Kate’s firm/trademark company is called CE Strathearn (Catherine Elizabeth), William’s is APL Anglesey, and Harry’s is Tsessebe (an African antelope). It basically means that William, Kate and Harry could brand themselves and shill royal-themed products like the Kardashians, right?
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.
So he is goings to be an events planner?
Yes, he is!
He will throw amazing partys 😉
Sounds like it. I wonder if he’s joining ISES or MPI? Ha!
-MsGoblin, a planner, too.
Will he be taking tips from the lovely Pippa?
In order to have the true military atmosphere, invite real soldiers to your party. #pippatips
For the child in us all, decorate tables with little green military men from the packs. #pippatips (do you have those in UK?)
Bwah! I couldn’t think of the occupation but you nailed it. I just don’t get it. Because he was in the military it qualifies him to plan/oversee massively expensive and complicated military events like these proposed games? SMH.
No wonder so many of the British people resent supporting these do nothing Royals. They sure don’t get much bang for their buck.
I agree. His training on the Apache assault helicopter was relatively recent and very expensive (it was done in the US). I would assume the British army thought they would get more for their investment, not that he would leave a few years later.
The UK is pulling out of Afghanistan soon so they have no need for Apache pilots. And since Harrys 3 year contract is up, he was given a few choices and remaining a pilot was not one of them.
Also, if Harry wants to become a Major in the next few years, he will be required to take on an office job. Acting like this is some easy job is a huge insult to all of the other soldiers who are doing the same. This is how the army works, blame the system not the soldier. Besides, at least he’s not taking a gap year like Willy.
Well, at least he’s making a life for himself in London AND including a job/role of the kind that Royals are supposed have – unlike his brother. If his job is army ceremonial planning, that will bleed nicely into work with injured veterans which in turn will bleed nicely into his patronage of homelessness charities (since so many of the homeless ARE veterans). It looks sensibly planned to me. Perhaps he’ll help reinstate the Royal Tournament.
Bc he’s so passionate about it, he will probably be very involved and will actually do a lot of legwork for these events and initiatives. He seems very high-energy, unlike Will.
Good point. Without getting into the whole “Is Wills lazy?” argument, I would say he definitely gives off a different vibe from his brother.
@Anna – yes, exactly. The cachet of a royal name can bring big benefits when organising these types of events – and at least this all makes an understandable, cohesive plan seem likely. I think he could do good with a set-up like this and if my tax pounds MUST support a royal family, I do expect some good to be done.
@Suze – yes, exactly again!
I also think that he actually wants to stay close to his military brethren. They’re his people, he was always more a soldier than a royal. And this is a perfect job for it.
This. I have no qualms with this change. The guy really does a lot of charity work, and seems to take his job as a royal a lot more seriously in that regard than Will. Despite him being that mischievous younger brother who does get into trouble now and again, he does a lot of good, and I respect that.
I agree. Ten years ago, I don’t think any of us would have been thinking of Harry like that!
What’s the Royal Tournament, Sixer?
It was a military tattoo that raised money for charity. Like the Edinburgh Tattoo but even bigger.
Men in kilts. Swoon.
What do you mean by tattoo Sixer? Is it a literal tattoo or does it have a military meaning?
Lady D, the “tattoo” in this case is like a marching performance of bagpipers and drummers, usually from military organizations (or in the US, lots of the older cities have bagpipers for fire and police departments), The Edinburgh Tattoo is a huge deal (and on my bucket list, actually) and takes place over several days, so if the Royal Tournament was even bigger than that…awesome.
Thanks for the answer ncboudicca.
Kaiser, I read the article as way more defensive than you. It’s to protect them from ‘scandals’ and such. For example, no more nude pics being published as it can hurt ‘their brand’. Totally my take on it though.
At first, I thought it was more about “media management” too, like a business arm to enforce a certain image, but I think it really is just about trademarking their names.
I think it is meant to sound that way — it’s typical for the BRF to try to spin it one way so the public doesn’t notice the *real* reason behind an announcement/ action. All I heard was William threatening his law suit after the nude pics from France came out. This is most certainly more defensive than proactive. Again, just my take.
Also never saw him quitting the Army. Lord, it must be VERY serious for him to do that. I had him pegged as a lifer.
Well, he’s still going to be involved actively with military affairs – I do see his being a lifer in that sense. And he can probably go back. But he couldnt be a full-on lifer (yeah, I know…) with after he got married and had kiddies, not with his royal rank anyway, so I do think this is all a prep for that. If he stayed a bachelor, that’s another story.
I think it’s for both the purposes, suing / controlling media and protecting their brands/names/titles. Last year some condom company was using Harry’s name to promote themselves. I think these companies will prevent any pvt. firm using their names like this, for eg it will prevent Kate’s uncle Gary or stripper cousin to use her name or title for any commercial purposes or any other pvt. firm using their names to sell their product.
William will always try to control media and i have said it again many times before this will bring his ultimate downfall.
Protect their images or names from being used to sell products, fine. Use it to try to shut down press freedom? That’ll be an enormous public fight that Bill and Kate will lose. I hope the first time they try to pull this, they are slapped down hard by the current version of the Press Complaints Commission.
The PCC has already publicly accused William of trying to stifle Freedom of Speech and Freedom of the Press, and the press isn’t going to go down without a fight. WK are taxpayer-funded public figures (yes, the Duchy tracks to the taxpayers and the security costs are all on the taxpayers). When WK walk on a public street, they do not get to have MORE of a right to privacy than the rest of us.
This was my interpretation of it too.
This really makes me see the Royals in a different light – this is downright creepy.
And would this approach really work for preventing the foreign press from publishing things about them?
WK’s attempts at press control are considered creepy by many I suspect. Good article, albeit from the Express:
http://www.express.co.uk/comment/columnists/camilla-tominey/300124/Prince-William-and-Kate-should-take-lead-from-the-Queen
The strange and sad irony is that William’s bitter hatred and mistrust of the media is due in large part to the circus atmosphere/feeding frenzy of coverage brought on by his late mother’s love hate relationship with them.
For all of her faults, she knew how to play the press situation well most of the time. By insisting on things like the dog’s name being private, William is just being foolish. By not releasing photos of their son, a simple Christmas photo would suffice, they are feeding the frenzy which will only increase photographers’ attempts to get the photo. They’re bringing the chaos on themselves.
Thanks @My2Pence for that interpretation. They sound like a downright nasty self-serving bunch. What separates William from a thug?
Maven
Yikes
My2pence
I agree with you that William is handling the situation and the worst possible way. He should take a page from the Queens book and keep the media at a polite distance by doing little trade-offs. But such a hard stance is the best way to facilitate a war with the press.
As far as Diana was concerned, yes she did know how to engage the media for the most part. But my point was to highlight the fact that the media became a biding monster when in the beginning she had trained it to eat out of her hand. The overwhelming majority of media attention that Diana received was not her fault because she was captivating and the world wanted to know everything about her. But there were times when she used the media in her war against Charles and in the end it backfired. William is still struggling with all of this and when it comes to his relations with the press he is not in a good place, imo.
While I will miss seeing photos of Harry on active duty, this sounds like a good fit. This has the potential to be a massive position considering we’re coming up to the centenary of World War I. As a Kiwi girl, would like to at least see a nod from the British Government about the ANZAC contribution (most obviously at Gallipoli) towards the various campaigns.
Oh, Kaiser, be careful. I managed to suggest that Harry might soon propose to Cressida on another forum, and was swarmed with anger by the Harry lovers! I agree with you, though, I feel it in my bones.
The brand thing is interesting. Oh, please, let it be “Duchess Kate uses Windex and you should, too.” – god that would be funny.
I do think it’s more about “protecting” the royal brand, though. Keeping unsavory or unflattering stories out of the press.
There was a brand of wellies that ran an internet banner saying something along the lines of ‘x brand of wellies as worn by Kate Middleton’. I thought that was very cheeky. Haven’t seen it for a long time.
I’ll occasionally follow blogs that discuss Kate’s clothing and jewelry. I think a few of the companies have tried to say something on their websites like “As worn by Duchess Kate.” Could this branding extend that far and shut down any company trying to cash in on the fact that Kate wore their sweater/shoes/jewelry? While it’s a tacky practice, I don’t think it should be stopped.
Not an expert at all, Green Girl, but I think it would be more along the lines of stopping someone marketing a Duchess Kate Sausage Curler or something like that. Not saying “as worn/used by”.
OK, thanks. That’s a good point!
If it really is a press issue, it seems really unsavoury. The best way to manipulate the press is to act appropriately, isn’t it? Does anyone know if Charles etc. have similar companies in place?
To avoid scandals in the press, act appropriately. #PippaTips
Yes, bluhare- Charles has several of these types of companies. He has been doing it for sometime. I think that is why some of this news leaked on a Friday along with Harry’s new desk job to gloss over their claiming their own modern “brand”. IMO it is wrong on so many levels given they are suppose to be royals funded via taxpayers, representing their country and NOT celebrities that they apparently believe they are. I was amazed at the list of companies that Charles & co. have listed. I will see if I run into it today- and if so I will post- otherwise it can be found IF one looks well enough. Guess the press embargo/ban will be enforced- now that they “own” (and profit) from their brand. I would question how the money is used for charity now that reports of finances for Harry’s charity pays excessive salaries and pays employees’ children to attend exclusive schools. All part of the perks, but people who give to charities have no knowledge of where their money goes.
Scroll down @ 15 for Charles, just illustrates how far this has gone. Interesting that supposedly the monies that come in from their brand goes to their own charities. How those charities benefit is not indicated. I read @2012 Wiil & Harry & Kate had @ 4.8 mil pounds in total, but only @ 1.2 pounds were given to said charities. So what do they do with the rest of the money? Why is it not given out? What is their overhead costs & expenses? If it is more than what is doled out- does not seem as though the charities are the true benefactors imo.
http://www.companieslist.co.uk/04259999-golden-jubilee-events-limited
I do not see his offspring’s new brand listed.
CE Strathearn is listed. And when I clicked on it, I found that it was formerly named Tyrolese something or another. So it isn’t even new; just renamed.
http://www.companieslist.co.uk/prev/08262526-tyrolese-738-limited
Suze
There will be a proposal. It seems like it’s coming. I believe it more if we also start seeing Cressida out more. Photogs must be swarming her, no?
I’m sure they are at this point. She has been pretty good at staying on the down low for most of their dating lives but it must be getting harder at this point.
Well he still works for the military (he’s not retiring)-they just shifted him from an active duty/infantry position to a desk job essentially. Note that he’s still a captain. His tour of duty ended with the apache pilot program-this is the new gig.
I think its more the queen wanting family to be close by, and harry does alot of great charity work with the military in London. It’s a good fit for his interests and skill set (and coordinating big army events is nothing to sneeze at)
Kind of OT but why don’t we talk about Charles’s two brothers? Do they do anything besides have kids and hang out with shady people (Andrew)? This is a genuine question lol…
I can’t find it in me to be up in arms about William’s laziness, since he will be PoW and then King for a very long time into retirement age, so sooner or later he’ll have to put in the hours.
His two brothers work, if we call it work, pretty hard for the royal firm. Royal Engagements tally for 2012:
Earl of Wessex, 431 engagements
Countess of Wessex, 324 engagements
They have two children, ages 6 and 11 I think.
2012
Duke of York, 436 engagements
We don’t talk about the two brothers or Anne for that matter because the press isn’t interested in covering their engagements and if they do, it’s very mealy mouthed.
I should have included Anne, that would have made sense.
2012
Princess Anne (The Princess Royal)
566 engagements
LAK: If the press isn’t interested in their engagements, could it be because the public isn’t interested in them? If so, doesn’t that make their work rather irrelevant?
I am not discrediting Anne, Sophie, Edward or Andrew’s work or their work ethic. Rather, I’m trying to point out something I find interesting in your comment. The royal family exists to make public engagements. If the press and public are not paying attention, what is the point of these engagements or those royals at all?
Juliette: The public disinterest in minor royals feels like one of those things that is true and yet people are genuinely excited to meet them in person and attendance at their events is always high. There is still a cache to having them at events regardless of press coverage and their reputations.
And there is a positive result to their efforts and so far we haven’t heard that any of their organisations are disappointed. Anne and Sophie have managed to gain public respect without press attention which shows that the public IS interested.
I speculate that the lack of press coverage is, and has been, a deliberate effort to focus public on the senior royals with the coming streamlined BRF.
I think it’s a mistake to sideline so many members of the family when the main 6 aren’t available to cover the wider family’s duties, but i also think they are re-branding the family in terms of what it stands for.
I think in the future we shall see the 6 attend only a few events per year whilst we are spun a line of ‘work behind the scenes’ or ‘secret visits’. The actual work will be carried out by worker bees employed by their foundations.
One could argue that the ‘modernised’ and streamlined BRF will be a reverse of George V’s program of maximum visibility of all members of the family. JMO.
I don’t know. To begin with, there is a significant market for celebrity photographs and events. If photographs of Anne visiting charities sold well and generated revenue for photographers, then the photographers would show up to all her events whether or not the Palace preferred them not to. Chances are those pictures do not sell very well.
Who would be the person making the decision that the public should be focused on the senior royals and ignore the second tier? I think its most likely the free market.
Juliette: Firstly, they aren’t celebrities. It’s important to make that distinction because we don’t view them that way nor do we relate to them that way. They are representatives of HM.
Secondly, celebrities are selling something. That’s what draws photographers. Technically all the royals aren’t selling selling glamour or beauty or fashion flair or talent. That doesn’t sell copy for the press. Diana changed that. The other inlaws followed suit with midling results, but it was and remains a mistake because it devalues them to celebrity which they are not.
In recent years, the positive reaction to Anne’s efforts despite lack of media coverage points to public interest. Sophie’s new patronage of the London College of Fashion [installed 2013] is another indicator of public interest.
The public [nee organisation] chooses the patron not the other way round. It’s a thought that despite the press telling the world that Kate is a fashion icon/influence, the London College of Fashion would go with Sophie rather than Kate.
A royal patron remains a coveted appointment for many organisations.
The press is the lazy way for people to hear about the work that the royals do. People *do* turn out to see them even though it isn’t covered by the media and more often than not, it is a positive reaction at seeing them.
Royals these days are meant to serve the people, and as HM said, “I have to be seen to be believed.” The majority of royal work is low-profile. It is only William and Kate who seem to be trying to turn the majority of their engagements into movie premieres and glamour events. By not working, especially not working the everyday low-profile work, they could end up scoring an own-goal as it were.
If royals stop doing events representing the monarchy, there is no reason to pay for them. All of the trappings (palaces, houses, land, jewels, the Duchy, William’s trust fund which came from the Duchy, etc.) will go back to the taxpayers and the Mountbatten-Windsors will be left with nothing. They have a choice 1) work or 2) lose everything.
The branding issue: tacky, tacky, tacky.
That was my first thought too, Mich. Since when did royals need “brands”? Isn’t royal brand enough?
Kate can sort of be forgiven for not understanding the broader implication of such a move but Wills and Harry have no excuse. They are public citizens NOT celebrities and their life of incredible privilege (for which they are also rewarded handsomely) is based on representing the Commonwealth not themselves.
Last shred of respect = gone.
I bet PP will get lots of access to use Will and Kate’s “brand” for their products.
I wonder if at any point if the Middleton’s are attacked for whatever reason in the press that Kate’s Brand lawyers can jump in and claim Kate’s brand is being attacked by extension her family…? Any know?
ditto. or as some grandee once said of another royal,’ vulgar, vulgar, vulgar!’
It’s a damn shame Harry won’t be king. He just seems to work much harder and have more of the contagious personality that draws people to him than William does. But hey, I don’t actually know these people…maybe William is about to surprise me with a burst of leadership and charity work after he’s done with his classes.
You and me both, Ncboudicca. Henry IX has a real ring to it.
It’s not too late to start a revolution……..after Charles dies, of course.
Why do men look so hot in uniform?
Should we question why they look hot or just appreciate it? 🙂
Excellent point!
It’s basically an ornamental role — like when a fashion house or magazine hires a socialite to be Director of PR and she only has ever done internships. He’ll probably just be trotted out to be “the face.” I do hope for his sake he does settle down because he seems to act out when he has little to do.
Talie
Maybe so, but when he does act out it’s magnified x1000 to show him as a screw up so we’re happier with William. In truth, Harry is far more active and involved with his Charities and events. When he does hae down time he’s no more outrageous than us. And at Vegas thing was very much part of a young military culture before being shipped off.
Who forced Harry to wear the Nazi uniform, punch a photographer outside a nightclub, get caught with other women while having a steady girlfriend and stumbling out of booze soaked parties?
Now I don’t see Harry the same way I used to because he is maturing wonderfully and is the type of young man that I can admire. But he is not a shining night on a white horse while his brother is a sulking, spoiled and demanding brat. Life is not that black and white and if you read about the princes you would be surprised at how alike they really are. This goes for the good and the bad qualities and both men. I also think that they could learn a lot from one another. But to play good prints bad prints is to swallow everything that the media tells you about these two individuals.
I also believe it is silly and ultimately disappointing to build a public figures so highly. They are almost always sure to fall off the pedestal at some point. This includes good natured, outgoing, hard-working, gorgeous, ginger princes as well.
For the other things, I blame Henry. For the costume? The shopkeeper is on record publicly stating that William was there and goaded his younger brother into wearing it. Henry was the only one blamed in the press and he was the only one who publicly apologized. So I’ll give H 51% of the blame on that one, and Big Brother Bill (who also should have known better), 49% of the blame.
The only shifting I see is Harry taking on more of a senior royal role. Charles is taking on more and more responsibilities from the Queen, so Harry, William, and Kate will have to do more. Harry’s position will allow him the off-time he needs to be able to do his bit, plus still have the career he wants in military. This has been planned for awhile without any consideration for his love life.
I think this is a very silly thing for Harry to do. As the family get older and it becomes more clear that he is not needed anymore in the line of succession (ie his role as “spare” is over) he will look increasingly idle without a proper job. Look at Prince Andrew – it’s hard to believe now, but he was feted as a military hero at the time of the Falklands. Now he’s seen as just a skeezy ligger.
True about Andrew. He was hot back in the day and very, very popular.
I do think a couple of things happened with Andrew. His choice of a wife, while a love match, was not a great PR move. I have some sympathy for Sarah, who I don’t think has always been treated fairly in the press, but many of her PR issues she pulled down on her own head. So there was that.
Plus Andrew has always been a bit on-the-make, looking for business opportunities in places that may not be appropriate. So he has brought some bad publicity down on himself.
Will Harry too fall into irrelevancy? You could be correct and he may well do so. It all depends on how he chooses to use his new position, his choice of a wife, and the way his people handle his PR. He is now still running on his own personal charm and the residual appeal of being Diana’s son. We’ll see how it all falls out.
(Love “skeezy ligger” btw).
Harry irrelevant?? Bite your tongue, Suze!!
But I love skeezy ligger too. (What’s a ligger?)
Family dynamics contribute to the person that Andrew became as well. Charles has never felt sympathetically toward Andrew. Charles, being many years older and raised by strict (but loving) nannies, resented his younger brother jolly Prince Andrew. Furthermore, Andrew was/is irresponsible, mischievous, lighter and sillier than Charles ever was. In that way, Harry is similar. However, I do not think William resents Harry the way Charles resents Andrew. Andrew was long rumored to be the Queen’s favorite, and still she protects him. Charles has let it be known that he will streamline the monarchy, specifically targeting Andrew and his family’s role for reduction.
William and Harry do not have their mother’s affection to compete for. Rather, they have the bond of mutual loss. They really only have each other, and naturally feel defensive and protective of each other.
Excellent point. The relationship between Wills and Harry is much tighter than that of Andrew and Sarah.
I meant, of course, Andrew and Charles!
Harry served two tours overseas, I respect that contribution immensely. He missed holidays, and family events, he missed his friends and his girlfriend, and he served. Yes, many young men undertake the challenges of military service, and they are equally worthy of respect and admiration for the hardships they endure and the sacrifices they make. In my opinion, retiring now rather than becoming a “lifer” does not make Harry’s service any less admirable.
Rather, I think once again how funny fate can be. Here is a Prince who takes up service willingly and without begrudging those he serves. Here is a Prince who does not need a transition year to acclimate himself to the next stage of public service. Here is a Prince who feels strongly a calling to contribute positively to the world he knows. Fickle fate played a joke on the Queen’s subjects when Harry was born second.
Well said.
Amen.
Yes, thank you. Great post!
Very well put.
The problem, of course, with your logic, is that you can’t possibly know how Harry and William would have turned out if their positions had been reversed. Different expectations frequently means different results. One is raised with the weight of 1000 years of history on his shoulders and the other gets, within reason, to pick his own path.
Don’t forget, too, that the same arguments were made regarding Charles and Andrew a couple of decades ago and that seems hard to believe when you look at them now. Charles wanting to streamline the monarchy and modernize it and Andrew constantly looking to use his position to make a quick buck. The argument was everywhere that Andrew, because of his easy manner, quick smile and war hero status would have made a better heir. Thirty plus years have made solid, dull and steady look pretty darn good in comparison.
Doesn’t matter how they’d have turned out if things were reversed,
Harry wouldn’t have been in the war if he were heir. Too risky.
ROBN: you make a very good point, but historically the second son has been a better monarch than the first son.
The problem seems to lie in the way the heir is raised. Simultaneously coddled and restricted.
Our greatest nee most celebrated monarchs have been the unrestricted/uncoddled second son.
Harry is not retiring. It is completely normal for an officer to take a desk job in London for a period of time, to build the resume for future promotions. The danger would be that ends up “driving a desk” for life but this doesn’t look like that – yet. What is strange is the suddenness of the announcement. We heard about Williams’s agonizing indecision about his “next step” for what felt like years.
Granted, having a London posting in a ceremony-planning/logistics role does dovetail nicely with a higher profile as a (the?) popular member of the Royal Family, but it is not a retirement.
He’s a pilot so they call it ‘flying a desk’. 😉
On a serious note, thanks for explaining. In the US retiring means leaving full time active service, not going from one job to another. Even in the US armed forces, you rotate from intense jobs to desk jobs (being very general here) for a variety of reasons. If Harry is a lifer — he’ll need to get a bit of everything.
This desk job will allow him to take on more of his royal duties as well. Isn’t he taking on more of the Queen’s load too as she scales back her duties? Of course, isn’t that suppose to be William’s job?
The branding thing just seems to be the result of the times we live in. If they dont do it, someone else will.
Still not feeling the Harry-Cressida thing. I cant help but feel this is a “this is what 30yr olds should do” thing. Either way I hope he is happy.
+1
Branding themselves is for protection in this crazy world of no privacy.
I don’t get a long-term feeling with Cressida either. She seems a very young 23/24, and I think it would be the worst parts of Princess Di all over again; press anxiety, feeling stifled by The Firm, not being able to pursue dance, etc…
Curious Cole
The thing about their privacy is they have lots of it. This is more to control what is printed about them imo. Not about privacy and more about control.
Diana and Cressida are worlds apart in many ways. Also, Harry seems more protective of Cressida. That’s why we aren’t getting the warm and fuzzies from them. They’re good at keeping their relationship private. So, is her family.
Legally, I don’t think its possible anyone could create a brand that was based on the actual person of another.
I have no idea what age is normal for active duty retirement but I’m still not getting the lazy vibe from him. He is no doubt getting pressure from the family. I think this is a great compromise. He has the charisma, popularity, and passion to do amazing things in the role. It will do good for the troops.
I read in the papers that one reason harry agreed to quit is bcuz he cannot go inti combat zones or war front lines because of who he is.
Hmmm…. so he is a prince and he feels entitled to take over the Warrior Games just because he wants to? No. Enough of this nonsense. The Warrior Games is funded/arranged with the U.S. defense Department (forget which exact one) and sponsored primarily by American sponsors. So the good people of the U.S. who have created and sponsored this organization should bow out so little Lord Fauntleroy can have it, the good will that evolves from it, and take away monies that the organization brings to U.S. communities? I say NO. But, then he can always suck up to King Branson for a sponsorship- providing he marries the dancer/singer/actress/PA/teacher/art gallery worker/ socialite cover girl. I do not know about anyone else, but is this fawning of people who behave as if they are above all other humans and deserve to have what they want whenever they want justified in 2014? I hope the U.S. stands firm on this-
I get your point, and being British and living in the US I’m very torn. However, Harry has brought visibility to the Games more than anyone else. He was a huge presence at the US games last year and would like to bring them to Britain — in the Olympic stadium no less. If he can do it I give him kudos. At the end of the day does it matter who raises money as long as someone does? I also don’t see Harry as someone who would take from the US to give to Britain. I see him as someone who is passionate about helping wounded soldiers no matter their nationality.
Am I being too Pollyanna?
I see it the same way Bluhare. Harry has a cause that means a lot to him. Raising money for injured military members and bringing attention to their sacrifices is a noble cause. That he follows through th making these things happen is excellent.
Bluhare-
I will refrain from calling you Auntie Pollyanna! Believe it or not I tend to be that way. Yet, lately more and more when I come across info that sheds more detail on things I try to be more objective. So call me jaded maybe?
As w Harry. I thought better of him and hoped better for him, but there are things about his character/behavior that appear to be different than the public persona he projects. There are lots of people involved with the Warrior Games and would lose their jobs too if Harry throws a royal hissy fit behind closed doors. The Games can improve and expand- but solely with the purpose of giving Harry kudos, a pat on the “aren’t you so wonderful” back and money to be made and benefited by Britain from him throwing his royal weight around seems rather off-putting imo.
My family is British so it is not as if I favor America.
I just see the raising of monies will solely benefit him and Britain, whereas, the U.S. pays for everything including British soldiers too. Yes, the U.S. communities do profit from the games- but fairly so since it of the U.S. initiative and money contributed to the games. I highly doubt the U.S. troops will benefit in such a way and the profits would remain in Britain. Will the U.K. government’s defense department contribute funds as the U.S. does? If he really cared about the project it would be better PR for him to contribute to the Games as opposed to wanting to claim and take it away for his own gain. But that is just how I have come to see the new “brand”. I also have become aware of a few of the charities he has where donations have been mismanaged and gone to other expenses that do not favor the charities at hand.
fairy godmother, I totally agree with you that Harry should not get involved in the charity itself. That would be very unseemly. I was thinking of it in terms of Harry being on the committee in charge of bringing the games to Britain, and that’s all. In that case I don’t see a downside. Harry will bring more clout to it than just about anyone else could. And maybe he and Skarsgard could pose for photos while sitting on the loos in the stadium. Kidding with that one.
@fairygodmother.
I posted before I read your comments. Wow! You make so much sense! It seems to me people are way more lenient with Harry because he is charming and seems to make an effort. But there are repercussions to the choices he makes and I think it is, indeed, important to know what they might be.
That some figurehead can come in and just co-opt things (be given them on a platinum platter) and get applauded for it is really sad and twisted, IMO.
Hmmm – I guess I was confused about the Warrior Games, I thought Harry was spearheading possibility of running a Warrior Game competition in London, where the British team competes with the US team. I don’t see anything dire about running it outside of US soil since some of the competitors will be Brits.
I haven’t heard anything about him wanting to claim the entire Warrior Game project as his own or take the actual charity away from the current organizers. And he hasn’t even started this task, it’s still in a feasibility study stage, so how can we say he will be throwing hissy fits and making people lose their jobs?
It’s not going to be the Harry Games.
Which charities have mismanaged funds?
Suze, I think it’s the Halo Trust. Here’s the article in question.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2542178/Donors-Princess-Diana-landmine-charity-paying-private-education-chief-executives-children.html
Suze- Sentebale funding was mismanaged so much so that several of the key figures working in that specific charity were let go and supposedly new management was brought in. However, I do not recall the exact figures of money that was lost, but it was significant and sickening to realize the people who blindly give to charities had no idea how the money was being used such as (unjustified,excessive)overhead costs, etc. is what caught my attention. Additionally the HALO landmines he got involved with I think since 2010 and then became a patron has been using donations to pay excessive salaries and for the employees who work for that charity are able to send their school age children to exclusive and expensive private schools while the charity albeit the donations pick up the school tabs. I am sure if people really understood where their donations are spent they may think twice. It is a pet peeve of mine because I tend to check out specifics before I choose any charities I contribute to both financially and volunteer time. So far I have 4 that I consistently support- and since I am not a billionaire I think that is sufficient imo.
As for the games- the way in which I understood it the prince wants to take the games to Britain and run them from there- indefinitely. Currently it is U.S. funding that supports the British soldiers/vets financially to participate so the games were not exclusive to U.S. participants. So the British have been active participants all along. Also worth noting is the fact the office job he is suppose to be in already have well experienced and knowledgeable staff in place. It seems as though that he was added to the staff, but lacking any of the credentials other staff are required to have for such a position. So is he a mere royal figurehead for the military? Because his royal connections are the only thing he brings to the table-
@Fairygodmother. “I also have become aware of a few of the charities he has where donations have been mismanaged and gone to other expenses that do not favor the charities at hand. ”
I think there were also serious questions asked about a charity event organized for William and Kate for the Hollywood trip. Is that charity still around, has it disappeared into thin air, where did that money go sort of questions.
And somewhat questionable that the Princes Trust seems to have gifted money to their charity fund set up at the time of their wedding. So few people donated to it of their own choice it looked bad, so the fund seems to have been bulked up with money from TPT. If you donate money to one charity, shouldn’t the money stay where you donated it? Rather than that charity giving it away to someone else that may not support the projects you agreed to support with your original donation.
Unfortunately, things like this can happen all-too-often if there aren’t really good staff behind-the-scenes making sure royals are allying only with above-board charities.
My2pence-
Yes, there many unanswered and nontransparent imo. One question that has bothered me is when the queen reportedly gave Waity @ 250,000 pounds in lieu of having her wedding dress on display. The money was reported to go to a charity of Waity’s choosing yet no such charity was reported and I did not find any such donation. Not long after I saw her with a new Cartier necklace @ Olympic time. If one did not know any better Waity’s charity of choice would be herself. I am not one to buy into she broke up the money into small donations to multiple charities since it would have been better to make a larger impact on one chosen charity- and greater impact, but that is my thoughts. If anyone is interested in looking further into these royal charities I think the banks that work in conjunction with the charities is equally if not more alarming imo. So much for good will and humanitarian efforts- PR fail.
Bluhare
Optimism and hope are never Pollyanna-ish 🙂
Thank you Dame Snarkweek. Hmmm. LAK only made you a Dame? Too bad I was taking a break that day . . . . . . .
I’m glad this was covered here, but in the days this info was out there did anyone else notice when William left the RAF he “retired”. When Harry left his active duty he “quit”.
And yea. Harry is laying roots. More Cressida to follow.
I’m sure this has been covered ad nauseam, but I don’t understand why he’s called Capt Wales instead of Capt Windsor. I assume it’s because of his father’s title. Does that mean George’s last name is Cambridge. It just seems so strange to not have a last name.
Regarding Harry leaving active duty – Andrew has made a life of “what not to do”. Sarah has always blamed his absence on the failure of the marriage (I guess the infidelity didn’t count). Maybe Harry is settling down. I personally do not like Cressida, which makes the wedding built up uninteresting to me. I know Cressida’s parents failed marriages should not reflect on her, but if the instability in William’s life is what drew him to the Middletons, what draws Harry to Cressida’s messed up family life?
From what I know, Harry has no legal last name, so can pick and choose. He is Harry of Wales, so Wales is one last name. Windsor is another. They were known as William Wales and Harry Wales while they were at school.
“The pinnacle of flying excellence”? “An inspiration”? Seriously? I wonder if it’s the usual hype because it seems to me when the royals are not captured on film being naughty, they can do no wrong, and are exceptional in their field or endeavours. Seriously?
He was in the military for a relatively brief amount of time. It’s not like he’s a general and left a legacy.
The always blow up the accomplishments of the royals to ridiculous proportions.
Back when Prince Andrews served in the Falklands, they made is sound like Prince Andy won the Falkland War single-handedly.
I love Harry, but God his life seems so scripted. I mean, it’s exactly the same plan as what William did – quit army, get married to suitable mate, move into Kensington and basically turn into Charles. I just hope he actually wants this life and isn’t being bullied into it by senior royals. I do respect the work he does, however.
As if they don’t already have enough money, they are creating companies to take more money from the masses? What, our taxes aren’t enough for you, you’re trying to manipulate people into giving you their pay-checks now too?
That whole article was just a fluff piece to say that Harry is “amazing”. Would they ever say anything other than “harry is great, harry is accomplished” etc?
And they are acting as if Warrior Games is like, a world changing event. Like it needs research? What?