Prince Harry announces ‘Invictus Games’, which he admits he ‘stole from America’

Here are some photos of Prince Harry today in London. He was announcing a new project, and one that is very near and dear to his heart. Harry is all about advocacy work on behalf of wounded soldiers, and last year he went to the American Warrior Games. He was blown away by the games, and he vowed to bring something similar to Britain. And so that’s what today’s event was all about – Harry announcing the “Invictus Games” for wounded veterans:

Prince Harry learned more in America than how to fly an Apache helicopter, and how to unwind in his off hours. The prince, 29, was bowled over by the Warrior Games during his visit to the U.S. last May. And he realized a dream Thursday when it was announced that a similar Paralympic-style games – which Harry inspired – will be held in London later this year.

The Warrior Games serve as an introduction to Paralympic sports for injured U.S. service members and veterans. Harry’s Invictus Games, to be held Sept. 10-14, will be an international affair, with some 300 athletes competing from 13 countries, including the U.S., Canada and the U.K.

“It was such a great concept by America that it had to be stolen. But I wanted to bring it to a broader international audience,” Harry, 29, said Thursday at one of the London 2012 Olympics venues, many of which will be used for the Invictus Games.

Watching the Warrior Games “ignited something inside me,” Harry said, as he saw “firsthand the power of sport in inspiring recovery and demonstrating life beyond disability.”

He hopes the Invictus Games will “capture the public’s attention following on from the hugely successful Paralympics [taking place in Sochi, Russia, this month]. I’m extremely proud that we are bringing an event like this to the U.K. for the first time, and I believe it can have a long-lasting impact on the well-being of those who have served their nation so bravely.”

Sir Keith Mills, chair of the organizing committee, praised Harry for “leading our charge. It was his vision, ambition and determination resulted in today’s announcement.”

Harry, 29, admitted he had felt “hot under the collar” during the last few weeks as the date for the launch neared. His switch from his role as an attack helicopter pilot in the Army Air Corps to a desk job helping to organize grand military events gave him the opportunity to throw himself into the campaign.

Aides to the prince tell PEOPLE that he and some of his staff have had a key role in the organization of the games. Harry has been attending committee meetings and sub-committee meetings as the wheels were set in motion.

[From People]

This is a great concept and I love that Harry “stole” the idea (he gives the Americans credit though!). I really love that Harry is taking on this kind of work and it feels like a natural extension of his military service – he’s served two tours of duty in Afghanistan, and I get the feeling that he wouldn’t mind going back at all. I just wish William felt this passionately about… anything. Something.

PS… Now that Harry has done his big Invictus Games launch, do you think he’ll get around to proposing to Cressida Bonas? I know many are throwing shade on Cressy, but seriously… how funny will it be when Harry proposes to her after only a few years after Will made Kate waity for a decade?

Photos courtesy of Getty.

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77 Responses to “Prince Harry announces ‘Invictus Games’, which he admits he ‘stole from America’”

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  1. Juliette says:

    The point of international visits is to be inspired and take back what you learn. I’m glad Harry used his visit to America as an opportunity to learn, to find inspiration, and to build something for the UK. He’s an asset to the Royal family and to the British people.

    • Angelic 21 says:

      Absolutely agree with everything.

      PS Harry is amazingly doing the reverse in Windsor genes, he is getting better with age not worse.

      • FLORC says:

        I wish that were true. I think he’s a late bloomer in regards to Windsor genes. The balding is in full force, but his smile is nicer than William’s.

    • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

      I agree on all counts.

    • bluhare says:

      I so agree.

      And, sort of off topic, but sort of not, I love their logo.

  2. Suze says:

    It’s the kind of thing we’re always saying royals should do. Glad he’s doing it.

    • LadySlippers says:

      Yup.

    • My2Pence says:

      I agree. He brought the idea back from his US trip, then potentially he and staff in his new department made it happen together. Proactively putting that in there because some people are already claiming Harry didn’t do anything to make this happen, he just showed up and took credit. This is the kind of program he’s supposed to be putting together in his new job, and shock, here he is doing his paid military job and STILL getting bashed by some.

      • LadySlippers says:

        @My2Pence: The problem is too many people buy what the media has branded all the Royals (William the Good; Harry the Horrible; Diana the Saint; Sarah the Sinner; Kate the Bum; Charles the Wronged or Charles the Cad; Elizabeth II the Salvation; Camilla the Mistress and so on) that no one can see past their ‘role’.

        To some, Harry will always be Harry the Horrible.

    • CynicalCeleste says:

      +1 @Suze 🙂

    • bluhare says:

      Agree, Suze. I wish Kate and William could come up with something like this. They’d get a huge goodwill boost.

  3. blue marie says:

    I think that is awesome of Harry to do for all the wounded soldiers. Absolutely no snark on that front.

    About Cressida though, I don’t care one way or the other (that’s a lie) I just don’t see it between them. Maybe the lack of photos, I dunno.. They lack fire or something that I can’t quite put my finger on.

    • Juliette says:

      Well, I’m actually beginning to think their union is inevitable. At this point, Harry would have a hard time getting rid of her. To start with, she seems to know the rules and is playing the game to a T. In the off-chance she makes a mistake and flubs the relationship, she will pull a Kate. Cressy is close friends with his cousins, and she would easily be able to put herself in his path again, scantily clad and on the arm of an eligible bachelor. The royal circle is small; it certainly doesn’t seem like that circle includes loads of slim, blond, available women for Harry to take up with.

    • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

      Wonderful about the games.

      Blue Marie, I’m not felling it either. I think it might happen, but I just think it’s a mistake, a mistake and a big mistake. And I base that on…nothing that I can put my finger on. I know it’s silly but I just have a bad feeling about it.

    • FLORC says:

      I think many people either feel that they won’t last or aren’t even a couple because of lack of coverage. The media plays a huge role in how we perceive people. That we haven’t seen Harry and Cressida being affectionate with eachother is a big part in that.

      Even on that train platform after a friend’s wedding they stood together, but several lengths apart so as not to draw attention. It really is well played.

      I’m so sure once they get closer to the engagement and just after we will see many loved up pictures of them and Cressida’s personality. I’m thinking a lot of people will have a change of heart about them as a couple. Even more so if Cressida jumps the gun and starts picking charities to work with.

  4. pleaseicu says:

    What a wonderful project to “steal” and throw himself into. Good for Harry.

  5. Reece says:

    Europeans stealing stuff from The Americas, smh, it never ends! (I’m joking)
    This sounds very cool. It’s a very good example of using your position to bring an idea or something onto a bigger stage.

    It took forever for me to even believe H & C are dating therefore I’m doing a big wait-n-see on this whole marriage thing. If he’s this into his career atm I highly doubt marriage is in the near future.

  6. Talie says:

    Well, I think Harry is a little more decisive than William, so it wouldn’t surprise me that he would know faster if Cressida was going to be right for this life. Also, she is part of that world already, so it’s not like she’s not in with all his people.

  7. Lucy says:

    I think it’s more common for people to get married more quickly when they start dating at a later age – well, Harry is older anyway. In my experience, I see my own friends who started dating their SO in college are still not taking the next step, they don’t see the rush because they’re so secure in their relationship.

  8. Narak says:

    Harry seems like the type to ‘git’er done’ and will probably get married soon.

  9. Angelic 21 says:

    You know what I love the most about him is that he doesn’t need huge PR to always harping about his intentions of doing stuff or how he ‘plans’ to work more (like we are hearing the same old crap re Kate) or how he is doing all this invisible work behind the scenes that no one can vouch for cough William,Kate cough. He is the exact opposite of his broth and SIL, we were told he is taking a desk job in army for now and will be working to bring Worrior games in UK and walla few weeks later here he is doing exactly what he said he planned on doing. He is honest and have integrity, he have his bad, careless, embarrassing side (Vegas,Nazi etc) and he have his serious, charitable, hard working, charming side. That’s why I like him, just like his mom he’s not perfect but makes up for being a decent person.

    • FLORC says:

      I agree. The press can try to trash him all day long and cover the latest Kate hair/clothes/nanny/renovation news on the front page, but it never sticks. Harry always seems to be keeping his mouth shut and working hard.

      As I and others have said before here. Harry makes it very difficult for the press to make him look worse than William. And for that fact vice versa.

    • Juliette says:

      I agree, his heart is in the right place and it shows through the work he does. He has a great deal of integrity.

  10. The Original Mia says:

    Way to go, Harry! This is a great idea. Love that he freely admitted to stealing it from us. He is a great ambassador for the British military and the Royal family.

    As for Cressida, show don’t tell. I won’t believe these two are serious until an engagement is announced.

  11. lunchcoma says:

    That sounds like a great idea. I actually applaud him for seeing something that works well and inspires people elsewhere and taking it home – too many charities try to reinvent the wheel rather than looking for models that have already been effective.

  12. Stef Leppard says:

    Um, hello! William is passionate about agriculture. Duh. That’s why he’s taking precious time away from his wife and baby to attend more schooling!

    • fairy godmother says:

      Is that so? As evident of his arrival at Maldives with his wife- not Jecca.

      Who knows where the baby is.

      Will was suppose to be doing his bespoke classes through mid-March. He already has taken a “Spring” break in these short six weeks. It is just another ploy to make royals appear as if they are really earning their keep.

    • Belle says:

      I kind of thought Stef Leppard was being sarcastic…. I hope? Or maybe not, LOL

    • CynicalCeleste says:

      Passionate about taking over his father’s income as duke of cornwall, hence the duty-bound agriculture classes.

  13. Mary says:

    William is taking vacations with his ex girlfriend and Harry is doing this….

    • FLORC says:

      Harry was on that vacation too, but I get what you’re saying.

    • My2Pence says:

      Well, Harry was on the hunting trip too, to be fair. Allegedly Bill is now on vacation with Kate Middleton in the Maldives. No news yet on whether or not they took PGTips and the 22-year-old nanny, along with multiple security staff. 6 security for one evening out the other day; wonder how many they take on vacation? https://twitter.com/RoyalReporter

      • LAK says:

        I have no words.

        They’ve just been criticised for holidaying albight separately, and they are off again???!!!!

        Nitwits. Actually that’s an insult to nitwits.

        And poor PGtips. Already abandoned except when the parents need a good photo op.

      • CynicalCeleste says:

        Wow.
        Well they are about to embark on “a gruelling three-week tour of New Zealand and Australia” so obviously some (more) advance beach time is critical.

      • My2Pence says:

        Bringing this over from the paint thread.

        The NZ leg of the tour doesn’t start until April 7th. They’ll spend a week in the Maldives, fly home just in time for the March 17th event. After that I’m guessing back out for the annual week-long skiing holiday in France or Switzerland, which usually takes place the last week of March or first week of April.

      • FLORC says:

        Wow. I’m with LAK. No words except poor PG.

      • bluhare says:

        I wish they’d have called me. I’d have babysat George. I bet he’s a cute little devil.

  14. FLORC says:

    Really, really love how fast this got put together! He saw it, started researching it, talking with organizers and bam! He made it happen! This is awesome for all who watch and participate in those games. It’s an extremely worthy cause to get behind and i’m glad it wasn’t just lip service.

    Did Harry just get cuter? Is it hot in here or just me?

    • fairy godmother says:

      I see he is slapping his name and image to a cause many others made happen. He only went to look at a view recommended venues and talked about the idea. IMO all organizing and real effort was done by others.

      I find the rush and chosen date to be competitive with the Warrior Games which lasts a week in Colorado also being held in September.

      I believe this is a great cause. Yet, I see the money that is being used as something that would have helped alleviate tens of thousands of taxpayers who are suffering, displaced, lost homes from the violent storms and flooding to be more helpful at this particular time. The American games are primarily sponsored specifically by corporations- not taxpayers.

      • LAK says:

        Going by the logos on the podium, the invictus games are also sponsored by corporations NOT tax payers.

        …..what gives Fairy godmother? are you so disenchanted with Harry that you can’t applaud a good deed?

        Would you prefer that he bummed off to the beach like his brother who is probably ‘researching’ his AUS/NZ trip with the wife as they did France?

      • Jegede says:

        @fairy godmother – Well Said

      • bluhare says:

        You’re probably right, fairy godmother. Other people did do the work. But Harry brings his name and will increase the visibility of the games. And I’ll be willing to bet, he’ll do photo op after photo op promoting them, and will be Cheerleader in Chief at the actual games.

        So I think that things could be going exactly as you say, and I don’t think it’s a slag on Harry. He’ll do his bit.

    • hmmm says:

      FLORC,

      I usually agree with you on a lot, but do you really believe he did the research?

      I think he is the figurehead, and that’s about it.

      • fairy godmother says:

        LAK- One billion pounds is being diverted from the U.K. government funds specifically for Harry’s latest PR.

        I believe in the cause- but reality this is more like a celeb endorsement with his face on it. Disenchanted? Not anymore. He is just like his brother in many regards imo.

        I can only applaud the people who really organized this effort as opposed to someone who sort of shows up here and there and gets patted on the back for other people’s hard work.

        I cannot praise hypocrites. Just look at his tusk licking gf, his hunting, lack of involvement in his own country when just as many children need help not just children in Africa. Does he help build schools or orphans. A healthy balance of his “work” would behoove all children at home and abroad. His charity for Africa gives outrageous salaries to his staff- which means the overhead costs exceed the money that is donated for the actual charity’s needs. And that is just for starters.

        Royals in 2014? No one person is better than any one else. Why should he be given the glory from other peoples hard work? There are hundreds of celebs who would willingly give their time to endorse such a cause- and those who are far more credible and respectable.

      • LAK says:

        Fairy godmother: I didn’t know government money had been diverted. I made a quick search after I posted my previous comment and all I can find is the corporate logos per the podium and money being diverted from fines placed on misbehaving banks.

        It’s not clear which banks are in line for these fines, i’m assuming all of them and therefore private enterprise. I know some banks are tax payer owner owned due to being bailed out, but i’d rather the money was spent on something like this than the white elephant that was the Millenium dome or any other government waste of tax payer money eg the NHS computer system that cost more than £100M to build and thrown out before it could be implemented because it wasn’t fit for purpose.

        where did you find the link to government funds? Please post because I can’t find that information.

        Regarding Cressida and that pic. If you’ve ever seen a real like tusk, you’d know the one in that picture was fake. There are interior decorators who use those tusk shaped posts (columns? Don’t know how else to describe them) for interior purposes. My own mother has a set. Personally I find them tacky, but they aren’t real ivory. It was unclear when that picture was taken and posted so i’d give the benefit of the doubt because until she made her FB/instagram/twitter accounts private, many pics were downloaded by people and one or two are occasionally posted to suit whatever narrative people wish to pursue.

        As for Harry and William, I see lots of differences. I see that Harry is someone who tries to make a difference and who uses his position for better more than he abuses it.

        As for your comment on celebrity vs regular hardworking people, sadly, it’s a reflection on us, the public, that we need celebrity to focus our attention on causes. That’s not to say that ordinary people don’t or can’t make a change, but it’s become a thing that causes are generally more successfully embraced by the public if there is a celebrity figurehead and who is more celebrated than royalty??!!

      • Angelic 21 says:

        I still don’t get why on earth Cressida should be criticized for possessing or being photographed with a TUSK when it’s not her cause but Harry’s or more importantly William’s? When did she became a patron of anti poaching charity and what proof does anyone have that was a real ivory? Seriously that’s some very negative opinion on someone that we seen not more then 8 times in public maximum.

        Just for the record it was reported he will be involved with the planing of the whole event and not just be a figure head. There were photos of him visiting venues so that makes me inclined to believe he will be more involved then just being a figure head because if that were not the case what’s the point of him visiting venues behind cameras and with other organizers. Plus even if he were just a figure head, that’s also what Diana did with land mines or AIDS for that matter, royals are required to be figure heads and bring attention to a particular organization. If it weren’t for him most people would’ve not heard of walking with the wounded trek to south pole for eg or Worrier games (for outside US people like me who heard about them for the 1st time because of him).
        I’m not sure where did you got your information re government funding but I really doubt government will spend so much money only because he wants a PR opportunity. The decision to fund this event is most definitely for not his benefit at all, I don’t think any democratic government will spend that much money on an event so an unelected prince can have a fun photo opp. Do you really believe UK govt. is spending all this money to buy him a good PR points? Even the bloody republicans can’t come up with that one.

      • FLORC says:

        To Hmm and Fairy Godmother
        Yes, Harry is a figurehead. I’m highly doubtful he’s at a desk all day typing requests and taking calls for this. I’m sure he has a team of people doing that.

        I do give him credit for attending meetings and arranging some of this. His name and presence does a lot. I give him credit for that when it would be all too easy for him to delegate this to a team and never speak of it again. We have seen this happen with William and Kate. They say they will, maybe do some prep work, then back out entirely. Harry didn’t take that road. Yes, it’s setting the bar a bit low, but when good is accomplished i’m not going to quibble over how much he personally worked towards it. That he stayed committed and present is enough.

        This is also a good example of how little the young royals actually need to do accomplish so much.

        LAK
        As always 100% agree and well stated.

      • fairy godmother says:

        ^The government money diverted I referred to is money the government fines the banks based on their rules/laws. I cannot remember specifically the name of the fund (rep by 5 letters) but the money that has been seized via fines-however one wishes to see it- has been used towards many military things. Why the money goes only there when the money could fund emergency needs just as well such as the severe flooding damages is any one’s guess?

        But, governments tend to overspend which is why we are all over taxed. I think we may be thinking of the same money except imo the government imposes the fines and takes the money which in my view does not mean the is readily given directly for this cause.

        The way they spend money and select where to send it is always politically motivated. If we asked every person where they think the money should go we would have thousands of suggestions. Mine is for immediate causes such as the flooding damages. IMO I think how can the public benefit as a whole from the money. Immediate needs for military have important needs like providing proper prosthetic devices, job training, counseling, etc. would benefit more from the money .

        Why not merge wounded vets with Para Olympics? It would broaden the number of countries involved and varying degrees of ability and separate funding would not be necessary while drawing an even larger massive crowd. We have Para Olympics this year and in September Colorado has their Warrior Games. Another one around the same time this year is not urgent when so many other sponsors are having challenging events for wounded vets while so many other causes are in desperate need of funding.

        I think providing an outlet is great for wounded vets. I am not opposed to it only opposed to how quickly and where the gov diverts funding. So we can agree to disagree.

        As for the tusk licking picture- imo it is most recent posted on her and a friends social media. It was removed from their social media right after the public became aware of it. Look at Harry’s water buffalo picture- there are debates if animal was just sedated or it happened ten years ago have been made instead of he shot it in order to gloss over the fact. Was the tusk real or fake does not matter. The point is it was done. Not only is it tacky, but also the image goes against what the princes were professing to protect. Sic sense of humour? Maybe. But imo plain out right stupid! What kind of gf would be so foolish as to do this at this particular time?

        Regarding celebs to endorse a worthy cause- which one would you want as a role model for children? A celeb who worked hard to achieve something or even an athlete versus having someone who merely came out of “royal” vagina be chosen as a rep and celebrated only due to birth indicates our society’s values. I can think of many accomplished credible respectable people who to represent a worthy cause.

  15. Angelic 21 says:

    Well well well William and Kate on their 2nd vacation in 2 months to Maldives and total 3 engagements so far this year in total , aren’t we so bloody lucky to pay for these 2 leeches and have them as role models. Even royal reporters are starting to criticize them which is BIG trouble for them. Finally their actions are proving all the detractors,jealous haters right, I wonder what next excuse their fans have for this one!

    http://royaldish.com/index.php?topic=13384.msg733104;topicseen#msg733104

    • Reece says:

      On the brighter side: The Maldives are far enough away that we’ll probably be spared naked pics this time.

    • hmmm says:

      But what about William’s schooling? Is he already finished? It’s not 10 weeks yet.

      • LAK says:

        The schooling can go to him. He’s a prince! Them’s the perks. LOL.

        ……but seriously, apparently he had no classes during the week he’s away.

        After this, it’ll be a series of 2-3 engagements before they ship out again for the Skiing holiday before that ‘gruelling’ tour of AUS/NZ

      • CynicalCeleste says:

        It was described as a bespoke program… totally flexible for those requiring time off for shooting weekends and island getaways.

  16. AmandaPanda says:

    I don’t know. The bar has been set pretty low by William if Harry just needs to ask other people to implement a cool idea he saw and we all applaud him for it. I mean, “turning up to committee meetings” is hardly a full time job is it?!

    Snarky, I know, but my eyes have rolled out of my head and down the road to KP at how little it takes for us to applaud the royals.

    • fairy godmother says:

      ITA! Well said!

    • CynicalCeleste says:

      lol, agree.

    • Suze says:

      Well, I know.

      Just yesterday I posted that give up on Kate as a royal. From now on to me she’ s just a society wife. I’ll weigh in on her clothes and hair, because that is what a society wife does: clothes/hair, and, and yes, big smiles.

      But I am not holding my breath that she’ll show any active interest in or work for any other organization besides the Kate/Will/George show. And I no longer care.

      Given that bar, Harry is a super overachiever.

    • LadySlippers says:

      But Harry’s new job is precisely this kind of thing. So yes, he’d be very active in all aspects of it creation and implantation as he still has a military chain of command (CoC) to report to. If he were strictly civilian I’d be a touch more skeptical as well but this is right up his ally per his job description.

      • hmmm says:

        And William was a super special rescuer and helicopter pilot. Sorry, couldn’t resist the snark! 🙂

        I just don’t think even Harry actually sweats over his job, and I don’t believe for an instant that he spends the normally expected hours at it. I wonder what kind of commands he has to answer to in the military now, anyway.

        And frankly, what qualifications has he to organise something so huge? And who are the rest involved and why don’t we hear about them and the organisation behind the games?

      • LadySlippers says:

        @hmmm:
        William was a SAR pilot but he obviously didn’t do the required hours to maintain flight status since he almost lost his wings. Harry has never had the charge of shirking his responsibilities in the military like William had/has. On top of that, the military members that have worked with him, whether in the UK or Afghanistan, have nothing but the highest praises for Harry. And not in op ed pieces either. Incredulously, military members from across the world even stripped and saluted when he was dealing with the fall out of Las Vegas. I cannot imagine William getting the same reaction as Harry did from fellow military members. Harry has achieved that praise the old fashioned way — by earning it. Unlike William, he’s not the one the Palace chooses for their ‘feel good’ pieces to promote the BRF which is why we snark on William in the first place. The Grey Men build William up and he ends up being laughed at because they are (kinda) promoting a lie.

        Harry is a captain in the British Army and as such, he’d be in charge of organising and leading a group of people/staff to put on various things like this, since this is exactly what was described in his job description. That’s what officers do (lead and manage). He’ll also be working on other less glamourous things as well. Again, it’s just part of his job. I can’t speak specifically to his CoC but I’m sure the numbers above him are just as extensive as the ones below him.

        As for ‘qualifications’? The military often places people in projects they might not qualify for — especially for desk jobs. Harry isn’t the first pilot to fly a ‘PR desk’ and won’t be the last. It’s honestly just how the military works.

        @Florc:
        My guess as to how quickly Harry got this off the ground is, he was working on this before he was officially assigned to this post. Also a guess, his suggestion after the warrior games probably clued the powers that be that this was an excellent idea and saw him as a perfect person to assume and lead this task. So he probably had some unofficial staff assigned to him while he was still attached to his squadron to start researching and laying the groundwork for the games.

        @fairy godmother:
        Great question as to why there needs to be a special games for disabled veterans vs other disabled athletes. It might have to do with the psychological aspect of disabled veterans but that’s strictly a hunch.

  17. Dame Snarkweek says:

    I’m really proud of Harry. I think he gets it in a way that even Charles does not, while I admire Charles’ fight to develop agricultural sustainability initiatives, protect the environment and preserve historical edifices I can never shake the feeling that he would shrink in horror if he had to hold an HIV infected baby or volunteer to show new amputees how to be mobile again. I find most of Charles’ endeavors to be…academic? At any rate, Harry shows himself to be cut from a fine cloth these days. He has really hit his stride.

  18. Stephanie says:

    I’m not ready to knock or applaud Harry yet. He is new to the job so I don’t doubt there were a lot of others doing the leg work, plus this is a huge event. I’ll wait to see more to form an opinion.

    • LadySlippers says:

      As he’s a captain in the army he probably does have a decent sized staff underneath him but that doesn’t mean that he isn’t responsible for all they do. Plus he’ll have superiors to report to as well. It’s the joy if the military. 🙂

  19. Dame Snarkweek says:

    Supposedly, the queen promised WillKat a roughly two year period of relaxation/family bonding time before the royal duties commenced. Did someone forget to set the alarm?

    • My2Pence says:

      Difficult to set an alarm when the 2 year grace period never existed beyond press imaginings and some WK fans’ dreams.

    • LAK says:

      what my2pence said.

      There is no grace period. there never was.

    • Dame Snarkweek says:

      LAK, Pence
      That is why I said supposedly. I do not know, it is just what I have read. Apparently, the reason was that the queen had idyllic, treasured memories of just being a naval officer’s wife in Malta and enjoying that stress-free time with Phillip. It was said/written that she wanted the same for William before he had to buckle down to his full responsibilities.
      I didn’t say it was true, although it is not a stretch. My emphasis was on the fact that the “honeymoon” shows no sign of ending.

      • LAK says:

        Dame, that’s exactly how the ‘grace period’ was concocted. People really believe it truly happened or was granted when no such thing was done.

        It was concocted in reaction to a potential backlash when a few days after the wedding the Palace released a statement in which they said Kate was going to be a RAF housewife back in Wales rather than jump into her royal duties. This after months of telling the public she was rearing to go and would hit the ground running as soon as she was wed.

        Some media hacks started deflecting the conversation by bringing up *HM’s 2 idyllic 2 years in Malta and how that had cemented her marriage which was extrapolated to mean that WK should or would do the same and HM would probably approve etc and before you know it, every paper was saying a grace period had been granted by HM.

        *HM’s 2 years in Malta is fiction too as the archives show that HM never had any sort of grace period and never moved to Malta and continued her work as a royal whilst VISITING Philip who was stationed in Malta.The reason it was idyllic for her is that when she visited, she joined in with normal activities with the other housewives and behaved like them, and didn’t have the royal baggage she would normally have. Also, Philip was stationed a full 2 years AFTER their wedding which kills the idea that they did this straight after their wedding.

      • My2Pence says:

        A lot was written about it, nothing confirmed. Quoting myself from, glory, last March. I’m not referencing you in this post, Dame, but whomever it was I was chatting with last year.

        “Again with that fallacy about HRH Princess Elizabeth ever having a solid two years off. Ever. Much less Her Majesty giving William and Kate Middleton two years off to get used to being married, when they’d basically lived together for a decade.

        Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten were married in November 1947. He was stationed in Malta 1949 – 1951, not for the two years directly after their marriage. And she didn’t live there full-time, and when she was there visiting she still had official duties, paperwork, etc.

        But let’s let the official website clear up your confusion, since you don’t seem too fond of the facts:

        “Princess Elizabeth also visited Malta four times while Prince Philip was stationed there on naval duties, and enjoyed the life of a naval wife and young mother.”

        The Official Website of The British Monarchy, Accession and Coronation
        www(dot)royal(dot)gov(dot)uk/hmthequeen/accessioncoronation/accessionandcoronation(dot)aspx “

  20. RuggerHunk says:

    One of the sports of the Invictus Games is wheelchair rugby. As a partially disabled (ambulatory, but pretty creaky) American rugger, I say the prince is absolved from snark on this one. He may be a privileged toff to us colonials, but he is a combat veteran advocating for sport on the behalf wounded warriors. Whatever he’s like in private…scion of a somewhat comically attenuated monarchy…seems like a solid dude to me. He’d be in the breach at the next Agincourt. I’d scrum down with him.

    That is all.