Here are some photos of Prince Harry yesterday at the photocall for the Invictus Games, the big event he’s been working on for months and months now. There will be many nations represented in London come September, all with teams of wounded warriors, preparing to battle it out for warrior supremacy. It’s such an excellent cause for Harry to undertake. I know this is going to sound patronizing but I don’t mean it that way at all: I am so proud of Harry. I’m so proud of him for doing this kind of work. He is fulfilling his mother’s dreams for her boys.
Harry recently spoke about his service in Afghanistan (he served two tours of duty) and seeing firsthand the ravages of war.
The 29-year-old royal served two tours of Afghanistan, one in 2007-2008 and a second in 2012-2013. In a powerful column for The Sunday Times, he said he was “hit” by the horror of what he had experienced while flying home with injured personnel in February 2008.
“I had never seen it first-hand,” Harry wrote. “By ‘it’ I mean the injuries that were being sustained largely due to improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Loss of life is as tragic and devastating as it gets, but to see young lads – much younger than me… missing limbs… was something I never prepared myself for.”
Sigh… love Harry. He’s really dedicated himself to wounded warriors in such a big way too.
Last thing… Harry and Cressida Bonas were partying at the same festival a few days ago. One source claims that they were in the same vicinity too, but that Cressy was with her group of friends and Harry was with another group of friends. The source says: “So close and yet so far apart. They didn’t say a word, but they may not have seen each other.” I’m sure he’s drowning his sorrows in Scottish beauty queens.
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.
He’s so lovely.
I really like the second photo where he’s on his knees talking to the veteran in the wheelchair. No bending over. It shows that he’s been doing this awhile, is natural in engaging with the wounded, not just for events.
Love Prince Harry.
He’s working while William hides away doing whatever until September helicopter job.
I agree – I haven’t looked at his “royal engagements” calendar so I’m not sure how many of these things are considered official royal duties, but I don’t think the general public sees the separation that the Palace does, anyway. His seemingly constant attendance at and involvement with these charities stands in stark contrast with Will and Kate, who could (read: should) be doing the same. I think people don’t really begrudge Harry’s party boy ways because he seems very dedicated to these charities.
I am always annoyed when I see the end of year engagement numbers because most of Harry’s work is never included in the numbers and he ends up looking like a slacker royal.
LAK
Why do you think that is?
You mean Harry can attend events, but if it’s say 2 in a day it gets listed as 1 event? Or if he’s having private planning meetings it’s not counted at all?
How can they just overlook actual work?
@LAK, why isn’t all his charity work included in the final numbers?
Florc/Alexa: do you remember Richard Palmer talking about Kate’s numbers 2yrs ago? Prior to her pregnancy? I can’t post links from my phone, but you can google the article ‘ Kate is not Lazy’ or words to that effect.
Anyway, the point of the article was that the Palace was looking for ways to ensure that the public was made aware of every thing Kate did (which seems extends to William) to counter her new lazy image and so going forward internal meetings would be added to the calender, and every single appearance would also be added whether it was official royal duty, or personal charity or simply an appearance eg when she accompanies William to his engagement or when William accompanies Harry to his engagements. Most of the public don’t realise the difference and take them all to be the same.
Where Harry is concerned, they are treating him the way they treat all royals. So ONLY his royals duties are listed. Same as all the other royals. No extra padding given.
As he is doing a lot of charity work, that isn’t included because the rules are that it is never included.
The other oddity about the CC is that engagements will be listed as they happen, but are later removed such that when the tally is counted, the numbers aren’t as high.
As Richard Kay/Ken Wharfe/all the royal reporters keep saying, William (knock on effect on Kate) doesn’t want to work. The Palace is stuck between a rock and a hard place because they have to promote William as a hard working royal in waiting or the peasants might revolt.
It is really nice to see that he is very dedicated to something that he’s passionate about. And I love that he makes public statements of why he’s dedicated to this cause, That really gets the message through so much better than simply showing up and doing small talk, which is important too, but public statements like this reaches a wider audience.
That is what I really like about Angelina Jolie’s commitments as wll, especially on the issue of breast cancer. She wrote that op-ed not to garner symphaty but to raise awaress and it was very soberly written.
People can tell when it comes from the heart.
Oh LAK I forgot about that.
Shameful really. For people where everything is done for them.
How long can you go when all you do is spend money and have people stretch the truth about how busy you are. I can’t imagine a life so empty.
Working hard on something that is not even his ‘job'( since they don’t count as royal engagements) shows that he really is dedicated to his causes. It is good for not only for people who need it but him as well. I assume it would be so boring to be in an as stifling environment as the firm without something to be passionate about.
Have you guys seen his speech video? It is so cute. He needs and haircut ASAP though.
@LAK. Wasn’t that around the same time that people figured out – because of this padding of Kate Middleton’s numbers – that arrivals & departures at airports were being counted as “engagements”? Before that, that info had been cleverly hidden.
nota,
Now that you mention it, they’re still doing that. Can’t look at the Court Circular right now but I’m almost positive their departure for New Zealand was listed.
Harry can really restore your faith, when you’re in a cynical mood! Such a smashing bloke.
LAK you’re right to underline the vast cachet such a royal can wield for charity, it really is undeniable, and ArtHistorian rounds it out by citing Angelina…..only her combination of superstellar status and personal experience have an equivalent pull…the evident heartfelt dedication, in a person who’s actually not required to do anything at all, is a great attraction.
Notasugarhere: Yes. That little fudge also became apparent.
I agree and I just don’t understand William. How wonderful to have his unique opportunity to help people. Wouldn’t that make up for all of the tedium and whatever else he doesn’t like about his position in life? So many of us would be eternally grateful to be able to raise money and awareness merely by showing up or patronizing all kinds of causes, charities, the arts… But he sits at home whining about wanting to be “normal” and planning his next vacation. Such a wasted opportunity for a fulfilling life; one I’ll never understand.
GoodNames
Right!
People say the William should live and not work now while he can. The rest of his life he’ll be King and that’s hard enough. Then we see Harry who could slack off eternally, but he doesn’t. He has respect for his position and works to improve the lives of others.
What night and day siblings.
That’s my feelings in a nutshell, goodnames. Same goes for Kate.
Not to mention, William will be in this role for the rest of his life, but he and Kate have wasted the opportunity to raise millions of dollars for charity in these years. This level of public interest won’t last forever.
“This level of public interest won’t last forever. ” W&K are counting on that. They’re counting on people giving up on criticizing them and *allowing them to get away with this sh!t* for the next decade. Meanwhile, fans blogs are busy adding the supremely tacky Party Pieces “badge” to their sites – so the Middleton’s can make more off of child slave labor.
So if he was at the Warrior Games (the inspiration for the Invictus Games) last year, that means he (and his people) really hauled ass to pull this thing together.
Which shows the type of impact the royals bring to charity.
Whether or not one considers what they do work, Harry demonstrates repeatedly, with these games, with walking with the wounded etc exactly how royals can use their platform to help, even if it’s simply showing up repeatedly as a mascot.
I’m American and I can name off the top of my head three charities he is involved with. He’s that good at it. How is it that Harry gets it but William and Kate don’t? Harry is the template they all should be using.
Thanks for the clarification LAK – makes me like him more. He knows he isn’t “getting credit” and shows up anyway.
I’m baffled as to why they don’t count all charity work as royal work. What exactly are the criteria for determining whether something is “royal work”? I supposed he is doing this as part of his job with the military, but I don’t see why it can’t be both.
If Harry is doing anything he is not getting a salary for it should at least be considered for inclusion on the official roster. Of course not every personal affiliation would be appropriate but when it so obviously falls under the umbrella of humanitarianism then it should count. That way even Bea and Eug would get some much needed credit, imo.
@ Abbott
I can name three designers Kate likes to wear! Does that count as charity?
LOL! I think this should count and I hope it’s successful. The Foo Fighters are performing so it can’t be bad! Also it sickens me how lazy and shallow William and Kate are.
I find him so much more impressive, hard-working, and likeable than his brother. I don’t begrudge him his bit of partying on his days off because it’s normal, harmless, and they are his DAYS OFF. He earns them, unlike his brother.
If Harry partied and then was too hung over to work the next day there would be reason to complain imo. That doesn’t happen though. He knows moderation and the value of his time and work he does.
Agreed. I don’t know when/how William, with all his promise, veered away from hard/meaningful work. It’s almost like Harry is picking up the slack a bit for his big brother.
William never did work hard.
Moderation??
I love Harry but he is a functioning alcoholic, imo. No need to scream at me about this, I can’t prove it but I think it will come out in later tell alls.
Wow.
Just because one drinks and one parties does not a functioning alcoholic make. That’s a pretty large jump.
Dame
Not asking for facts. Just why you think he’s a functioning alcoholic? Just a feeling or are there specifics?
IMO i’m wondering if William isn’t one himself. There’s a thousand stories that got buried of him getting wasted at pubs, drunk in public, etc.. I think his hunting trips and private guys trips with Pelly only indulge in excess.
I have read quite a lot about the rf independently and have come to my conclusion based on that. I think he is a functioning alcoholic based on how young he started drinking, how frequently he drinks, how much he drinks and how utterly wasted he gets. I don’t know anyone who drinks this way at his age – most of the hard core partying is over shortly after college, not at 30. Of course, I am no expert and I don’t expect anyone to concur with me. As for William, I suspect he might be right up there with his brother, though I think he probably has a gentleman’s wine problem and at home as opposed to the boozy clubs in Chelsea.
Good Lord, I’d think Harry would need to go in for much more hard drinking than he does now, to qualify as any kind of alcoholic. Liking a few pints, even frequently, is pretty much SOP among chaps of his age….. and much older. (Real British ale’s too good to forgo!)
Dame
William has had the issues you relate to Harry. It’s just spoken more and blown up with Harry, but with William it gets covered up and pushe under the rug.
I hope Harry is just indulging with his friends and not covering up possible ptsd.
Also, I must live in a part of the world where everyone is a functioning alcoholic. It’s not uncommon to be in your early 30’s without children or a wife and lots of disposable income to do this. I know a group of guys that do this every week and 2 of the 8 of them own gas stations (which is very lucrative).
I personally lost my taste for late nights and booze to excess when I hit 21, but I know many people that drink the way Harry is said to, but don’t need or even want that drink every day.
Maybe i’m not fully grasping your idea of what a functioning alcoholic is or maybe i’m too leniant, but I don’t think Harry is such.
Dame: Would this idea of Harry’s alcoholism fall into the same category as your previous assertion re:Mark Dyer?
LAK
You have to forgive me but I don’t remember saying anything about a Mark Dyer.
You have to refresh my memory *sheepish grin*
Dame, do you live in the UK? I can’t imagine anyone in the UK would think he was a functioning alcoholic!
I mean tons and tons and tons of 30 year olds drink that much in UK and Ireland! Not just in college. And I don’t think they are all alcoholics!
FLORC
I honestly, sincerely do get the whole heir vs spare thing and I clearly understand that it is at play with the princes but I see no need to constantly bring up William’s foibles everytime anyone strays from the Harry is God script. Of course William’s dirt is covered up more but it is possible to analyze Harry on his own merits and detractions.
As for the drinking I went to college with a lot of boozers – few on earth can out drink a lacrosse player where I’m from, lol. But after awhile the out of control behavior associated with the alcohol simmers down to just lively rounds with friends and stumbling out of the bars after midnight.
To me Harry displays out of control behavior when he drinks and drinks to get hammered instead of drinking to get buzzed. To my knowledge he has punched a photographer, stripped at his dad’s birthday party, passed out on the beach, fallen into a swimming pool by accident, jumped on the hood of a moving car, stripped during the Vegas poker incident and gotten been carried out of a few clubs. It seems that he doesn’t stop drinking until he is numb. Kate said Harry and William are big drinkers and I believe it. I think Harry uses it to escape/cope.
As for PTSD as an excuse, this makes no sense because Harry started drinking as a teen. Besides, statistically he is not a prime candidate for PTSD, although I guess there are exceptions.
But again, I want to say that this is only my opinion. As an infrequent and light imbiber I fully accept that my optics could very well be off. And even if no one can prove how much he drinks the evidence is out there that he doesn’t handle his liquor very well.
LAK
I googled Dyer just to figure out who he is. I have no theories, therefore, about him. Are there any out there?
Wasn’t the Queen Mother also quite a heavy drinker. Read somewhere that her favorite tipple was gin.
Dame Snarkweek
I don’t think I was bringing up William in that way. More like I was working out my thought process in text form so it could be better understood, if that makes sense. Although, I see how it did come out that way. I type very literally. And more that things with Harry are exaggerated. And that happens also to detract from current behavior of the heir. Like if William was vacationing for a week the story might be Harry vacations for 3 days! To cover the actions of another.
And I understand how you’re saying consumption should simmer down. That’s just not common where I live in the states with “young professionals”. They can get truly rowdy and enjoy themselves with much excitement. It’s a site to behold!
I wouldn’t call them functioning alcoholics. And while what you’ve said of Harry’s incidents is on par to my friends. Or just a few at least. Maybe it boils down to perception. That kind of excess to you doesn’t mean the same it does to me. I see these people who get absolutely destroyed go back to work and they’re not counting the minutes to happy hour or the weekend. But when they drink out in the town it’s not to sit, chat, and be home by 2am. It’s an adventure. We will have to agree to disagree.
And isn’t the stat now that every soldier returning has PTSD. Just in different degrees. No one is saved from the sites of war or losing friends. So, he’s as primed a canidate as anyone in war. Also, I started drinking at 3 with wine. Started getting a buzz at 16. Got really hammered at 16 actually since I studied abroad.
I do think because you view alcohol and how people enjoy it or go to excess is different from how possibly the majority here views it. There’s nothing wrong with your views and might be something to your assessment, but what was stated here and how he seems to be sets off no red flags for me. Maybe he’s a prick who feels entitled when he gets going, but not a functioning or just plain alcoholic.
FLORC
As usual you have made some really good, insightful points. I think my perspective is heavily influenced by my shock at some of Harry’s antics and of course that doesn’t equal alcoholism. Yet I still feel like there is an underlying issue with him and substance abuse beyond the rowdy boys’ night out. I guess it is something I am not capable of quantifying. I also recognize that it could be nothing at all. L really hope I am wrong on all counts lol.
As for the PTSD I have to stand my ground. It is a disservice to veterans who struggle with it daily to lump them in with veterans who suffer from combat fatigue alone. They all deserve support and therapeutic care but clinical PTSD is a special kind of hell for those afflicted by it. Mr. Snark has studied it for most of his career so I have a soft spot for veterans – all veterans.
Thank you for your thoughts.
Dame: You had an entire theory about Harry’s alleged cheating ways as facilitated by Mark Dyer. It’s interesting that you don’t remember it now. It was quite detailed. As detailed as this theory on Harry’s drinking.
Especially as most of the incidents you’ve listed were when he was 19-22 approx. Before/during Sandhurst when he was drinking and clubbing a lot and dogged by the paps.
Quite a few of those incidents were the result of paps tripping him up physically and or shouting vile things at Chelsy and him to get a reaction – there is a documentary on youtube where various paps talk about these altercations. And by vile I mean references to Chelsy and Harry’s anatomy, his mother etc
I will say this, he was wild, probably drunk too much before he joined the army, but he has consistently toned it down over the years. Even the Vegas incident wasn’t particularly wild in terms of drinking.
I will point out that the picture of a leg on the beach is pure conjecture on your part. Why would anyone conclude that an unidentified leg on a beach MUST be Harry when there were several drunken males on that holiday?
I’ll give you the falling into the swimming pool, but Skippy was equally inebriated. Why single out Harry and not Skippy?
Finally, when did he strip for his father’s birthday party? Or jump on the hood of a moving vehicle?
If the vehicle incident is one involving the paps, please see my previous comment about paps at the clubs tripping him up for better pictures.
Ultimately, @Luminary said it best.
….but the last word belongs to William who said in the Diana concert interview that he drinks and parties more than Harry.
You can always tell when William is mucking up his own image, because the claws come out for Harry by some.
When Harry starts to outshine William and Kate, the Kate and William fans get nervous. IMO so…..They have to try to put a dent in Harry’s armor.
It never works, no matter what negative names ,some try to tag Harry with, the Public still basically adores the guy.
He’s just warm and likeable .
Frances
In a nutshell, please don’t presume to label me. Unless I expressly describe myself as a fan or a detractor of any of the rf it is not within the scope of your ability to do it for me. Your comment shows that you have not even been paying that much attention. Not naming me specifically in your comment does nothing to obscure the fact that you clearly referred to me. As it happens, I am quite capable of forming an opinion of Harry that has little or nothing to do with William or Kate. I learned as a child that admiring public figures is about as far as one should go because worshipping them always proves to be a mistake in hindsight. Not falling all over oneself to canonize Harry on this thread is a surefire way to draw an attack but the alternative is to not freely discuss a topic fully.if my thoughts on Harry’s drinking made you feel defensive I think you could have found a way to address that in a manner as respectful as those used by FLORC, Chris et al. I think Harry is a rare combination of confident likeability and compassionate empathy. I think Harry can connect with people and causes in a way that might help to rehabilitate the monarchy itself. I think Harry might be a substance abuser. I’m sorry you don’t believe such things can be mutually exclusive.
LAK
Thanks for reminding me – his is not a name that will easily spring to mind because I only mentioned him in a long ago Harry post. But yes, Dyer used to sponsor the wild after parties in London for the posh crowd. But he didn’t inform my opinion that Harry stepped out on Chelsy nearly as much as other evidence did, including the words of Nicholl, who was Harry’s friend and ran in his circles for awhile. Actually, I am not aware of him having much to say about Harry’s drinking but I’ll bet he has some interesting thoughts.
“It’s almost like Harry is picking up the slack a bit for his big brother. ” He IS picking up the slack, and not just a bit. Harry inherited the duty gene from HM/Charles and Diana. William inherited the drama gene from both Charles and Diana.
Harry continues to step forward and do his duty, even when the press insists on portraying him inaccurately as the Party Prince. That is the role they’ve assigned him, so that’s what they write.
I really admire this about Harry. He sets a goal and follows through to spectacular results.
He wanted to be a part of it and even though it’s a huge crew to set it all up he didn’t just appear to take credit at the end. He was knee deep in all of it the whole way through. And still he’s so humble about it making sure the vets are the stars. He stays low key.
Yes, he does it right, doesn’t he?
He really does….for the necessary media attention he’s a prince, but he’s very much just Harry Wales with the guys (and gals).
I guess it truly is easier for Harry though, at times I feel grimy belittling Wills’ efforts. He is who and what he is, and both are restrictive no matter how big your heart may be. He must indeed get with it, and sharpish, but it must be hard for him to see the ease with which Harry charms people, while he is de facto immured by his future….he can’t really be accepted as ‘William Wales’ now, he is a prince in everything he does, sadly for him.
Chris
Chicken or egg?
If Harry had been born first with all of the incumbent baggage/privilege of being the future king would he have developed a resentful, reluctant personality? Had William been the little brother would he have developed a more jaunty, relaxed personality knowing that he would basically get the chance to live a pretty charmed, relatively easier life than his brother and father combined? I’m not saying these are all the complete components of what has shaped the princes but I don’t think these factors are nominal either.
Dame
I love a good Chicken/Egg debate. It wasn’t to me so I hope this isn’t an intrusion.
Diana said William didn’t have the temperment to be King and Harry did. I think they grew up as their mother knew them.
Maybe Harry got to live a more free life and could branch out. Maybe William is so paranoid and resistent to taking his lot in life because he never got to be free like Harry?
I think their personalities showed through as children and not much has changed them drastically.
My mother knew the types of people my sibling and I would grow up to be. She called it in a home video. We have also taken on a loss of parent and rolls planned out for us. Not that those roles were to be royals, but within perspective. We are who we are. We are shaped by what life gives us, but that doesn’t change what our core is.
Again, FLORC, great points today. I agree that we are who we are but it begs further questions: the birth order of the princes has created the lens through which we see/judge/analyze them so if we can’t really reverse the effects of chicken and egg, so to speak, is it 100% fair to criticize or praise them for things out of their control?
I don’t mean William being ambivalent, lazy or spoiled because that could be improved with discipline and character development. But I read a lot of criticism and snark directed at him for being cold, aloof, guarded etc because he doesn’t know how to work a room. Harry has been attacked in the press for being hedonistic and lacking good judgement. Is this always fair? If the birth order were reversed would our expectations make us see William and Harry’s faults as strengths? Is much of the criticism because we set these people up as symbols, living allegories and we feel cheated when they don’t play the game correctly?
Fantastic cause for Harry and good work. The consequences of war have been much less accentualized over the centuries than they should have been. Usually everyone is focused on the war itself and it’s natural but the times after war and all those who come back alive but severely wounded, physically or mentally, are often pushed to the side with some pension, at best. Life doesn’t end with money and even if this pension is very generous, their lives are changed forever and not in a good way. These consequences and “life after war” need to be put in the spotlight and work needs to be done to allow all those soldiers to enjoy life as much as possible in their relative situations. Respect for Harry, he is raising awareness.
It’s such a community that comes together and stays together for these events and the people involved. So, accepting, so positive. The energy is incredible and it gives these warriors and their families hope and comfort.
This isn’t just something to pad his portfolio. You can tell he carres and really put his al into getting this event going as quickly as he did. That alone took a lot of effort!
The thing I love most about this guy is that I can name his charities (Invictus, Sentebale, Halo Trust, Walking with the Wounded, etc) It’s never about him. I can’t remember what William does. I know he has the joint foundation with Harry and he does the wildlife conservation but apart from that it’s just his name that I know. Same with Kate. I know she wears Alexander McQueen, Alice T, and well others, but I can’t remember what her charities are called.
P.S. I just remembered another one of William’s charities! I can’t remember the name but it’s to support homelessness I believe.
Anyways, kudos to Harry!
I agree, Peri. Harry’s got his faults, but what he does have is a good heart. I can rally around someone with a good heart.
PS Centrepoint for William and one of Kate’s charities is EACH. And another is the National Portrait Gallery. But that’s not because she does so much for them. I’ve just read the names a lot. 🙂
Do you suppose Centrepoint is pleased that their spoiled rotten patron has abandoned a 57 room palace in the middle of London? They could house a lot of homeless in those rooms 🙂
Nota/bluhare
I remember hearing some Centrepoint people weren’t pleased with Kate after she said she would like to participate in the sleeping on the streets. Their calls were never returned or something like that.
And NPG is not hurting for patrons or donations. They through lovely galas i’m told. When Kate was choosing her charities she was said to have many, many art related ones that desperately needed the attention she could bring. She ended up picking the one with the best parties.
I remember this well because her Art history degree and her photography were being talked about as how driven to the arts she is.
Kate’s photography is garbage. Her published work (limited) is neither inspired nor in focus.
Thinker
It was told to me what someone thought of my photography when I was into that.
Now, this person was a professor I was learning under. He said you can buy an expensive camera, top of the line. You can travel to exotic locals. You will by default take gorgeous landscapes. That’s not what makes a good photographer. That’s god’s art. Not yours.
And then he showed me photos from a classmates assignement. They were of things you see everyday, but framed and angled differently. Messing with the camera settings. This kid took powerlines and made them stunning. He took a landscape that was nothing compared to where I had been, but made it amazing getting 2 mountain sides converging to a tree reflecting in a lake. It’s framed and on my wall 🙂
I would never have seen that angle, but he did.
I think Kate was like me. She went to see “God’s art” with an expensive camera and snapped away when it looked pretty. There’s so much more to it than that. So, I won’t attack her for her photography. I do think it was a shame she gave up on it so quickly. If she did it for instant approval she wasn’t in it for a hobby or art or looking to improve upon her skill. That’s the shame here. By giving up she showed she didn’t want to prove them wrong about her.
I’m happy William didn’t horn in on this photo op for the Invictus Games like he did the other day.
LOLOLOLOLOL……………….exactly.
If Wills had a bum like that, maybe he’d want to show it off more often, as well.
Umph…love me some Harry. Yeah fine, he partied for a while (publicly) but he has made some serious contributions–starting with boots on the ground during the war (I don’t think the war was a great idea, but his service is still admirable.)
He looks great in normal clothes…
I must say he has some weird Afro thing going on with the hair though.
Yes! Extraordinary hair….even at very high-flown events like The Wedding, it’s sprouting up in all directions, and I can’t imagine it’s careful faux-tousled look done with mousse! I think it’s most attractive but I’ve no idea how it grows that way.
Can you imagine if Kate had made an appearance next to an amputee? They would have been shouting it from the roof tops about how generous she is with her time for these poor souls! Instead with Harry it’s presented like it’s just something he’s supposed to do. And this “work” she and William need to be doing is essentially showing up and smiling right? It’s not like she has to go dig a ditch or something.
I wonder what would have happened to William had he had a chance to deploy. Different paths, possibly. I think he would be better for it. In this sense, Harry should be grateful for the fact that the palace/armed services changed their minds and worked out a way for him to serve. It has been really good for him.
I believe military service helped Harry to mature. Maybe that is the problem with William, he has never been allowed to mature. He is constantly protected by the press and the palace. He kind of lives in a bubble. Harry doesn’t have it so hard or anything like that but he at least has to face his mistakes and move on from them somehow.
Remember the Vegas incident? Harry brushed it off and some in the military defended him saying this is almost a ritual before you’re deployed.
Since Harry ignored the press and the military said it was nothing unordinary the press moved to Charles. Charles ignored it also and brushed it off. The press pushed for about 2 weeks (that I noticed) and then it went away.
William’s scandals are met with threats.
I think it has something to do with upbringing, but also they arre 2 very opposite people. some know how to deal with pressure and some don’t. Some need to be protected and some can handle themselves and stand on their own.
I think maybe William is just that kind of person that feels life owes him something.
You are right. I just don’t want to go with ‘William is a horrible person’ POV people seem to go with. He just is not interested. Will seems like a guy who is not passionate about anything. And that would be OK had he born to another rich family but as far as rich families go, being a Windsor comes with the most baggage and responsibility. I realy believe that Will would be happier if he took himself out of the line but that would hurt little G in the end as he would have to be a king in his 20s.
Maybeiamcrazy
I’m with you. I don’t think William is a horrible person. I think he’s not willing to be the person his current and future role demands. He would be much better suited if he could live like his friends. That’s the normal he apears to want. Not average joe, but aristo heir to a company fortune where everyone works for him and he lives privately.
And I don’t think he’ll be happy removing himself from the line. He lives with protection from the press and people treat him differently because he will be King. To take away all of that would be removing too many benefits he enjoys.
I wonder if William was the Spare and acted this way. Would he still have received Amner Hall? The KP mansion within a palace and so many other benefits?
I, on the other hand, do think that William is a horrible person. He treats his wife like cr*p. He doesn’t seem that interested in his son. He lies to get out of things. He lies to makes himself look good. He wields power over the press and tries to muzzle them. He allows Harry to be the scapegoat. He feels entitled to the taxpayers’ money while doing almost nothing and soaks the taxpayers for millions and millions because he can. He shows contempt for the public. He kills sentient creatures by the bushel for sport. He talks out of both sides of his mouth. I could go on….
Bravo, Harry! Really proud of his dedication to bringing the Invictus Games to fruition. I’m glad William hasn’t tried to horn in on this, though he did pop up at a meet and greet a few days ago. If that’s the extent of involvement, that’s okay. Any more and he’s a dick for trying to ride Harry’s coattails to help his own sorry image.
I really want Harry to break free of the foundation he shares with the Lamebridges. His interests aren’t theirs and he’ll eventually have his own wife to share his philanthropic interests.
Damn, he’s sexy.
Ok I feel dirty. He’s also charitable, kindly, and of a good humoured disposition. He seems a true gentleman.
Also, sexy.
Prince Harry for King!
Harry looks so much like Charles. He seems like a really nice down to earth guy despite his upbringing. He isnt married, has no children, isnt second in line the the throne so he’s able to be much more carefree than William. As far as charity goes William will be doing his bit every time he goes to work now. I dont think the Royals consider themselves as normal. How could they?
There was an article I read the other day that said there was a study done on whether celebrity endorsement really benefits any charity. The result was only the celebrity benefits themself. While the public remembers they did something charitable they cant remember which charity it was. Personally I think Jolie is mostly soapboxing. The money she gives is small compared to say Dr Dree who donated sixty million dollars to a school in California.
From what I understand Jolie supports various initiatives around the world – funding a school for girls in a refugee camp in Africa, and a help to self-help initiative in Cambodia. That’s just the top of my head. What she does beautifylly for the UN (where her status is as Special Envoy – not something they hand out to everyone) is raising awareness – and she genuinely cares, that is quite evident from the pics and the videos. Lately, she has worked very closely with William Hague in terms of getting wartime rape credited as a war crime, in combination with ground-work initiatives for gathering evidence and provide help for the victims. She doesn’t support one cause, or donate to just one charity – so it is hard to tell how much money she donates every year.
I wouldn’t really look down at conciousness raising (or soapboxing) – she does shine a light on problems that are overlooked (like the way displaced people are treated in Thai refugee camps, just to name one). Problems that can’t just be solved with money, but that also need political intervention. She does good work, and I think that her legacy will be her humanitarian work rather than her work in the film industry.
I’m not going to disagree with you because I do think her heart is in it and she’s stuck with it for some time. I guess my point is people use her as a comparison and I think she gets more credit than is due when there are others who do and give much more. and to be fair she has six children as well. I guess we should be thankful no matter the donation that there those who are charitable.
She is the face of things when she travels around to raise consciousness so of course she’ll get credit for that, but neither is she one that glosses over the hard work that people in the various organizations do. Furthermore, I really think that the kind of work she does for the UN is more than just the size of whatever monetary donations she makes. It really seems that she’s delving more into the inner workings of specific issues in ways that goes beyond donating to a specific charity – in ways that are connected to the making of international policy on issues of war crimes, refugees and other displaced peoples. In a way it goes beyond what traditionally is considered charity because she has, whether people like it or not, become a player on the international scene. I think that it will be very interesting to see what she’s going to do in the years to come. It get the feeling that this work is where her true passion is and that it will become the most significant part of her legacy. I actually think that she will quit the acting entirely in the near future.
It seems to me that Harry gets energized by the crowds. His natural talents and abilities are thinking on his feet, making people laugh, and working a room. I suspect he loves working around animals and small children. I’m sure the official royal events with all the royals present are tiring, but he seems to enjoy these other events where he can dress casually, and especially shines at the sporting events. What may bore him is a desk job, without social interaction or physical movement.
Harry is a natural with people, that’s for sure. He’s much more charismatic than his brother who I’m glad is going into hiding for awhile, and taking his Stepford Wife with him. LOL.
Go Harry!