Prince Philip had to cancel an appearance in Scotland last week. The appearance was for the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Jutland, the biggest naval confrontation of World War I. Philip served in the British Navy, and he’s always been at home around military personnel. His absence wasn’t out of disrespect, but out of health concerns and literally his doctor’s orders. Philip was not believed to be well enough to make the trip. He turns 95 years old next week and while his health has been poor for a good five years now, he still manages to out-work nearly every other royal family member, including all of the under-40 royals combined. So a Daily Mail columnist did have to wonder… why didn’t Prince William or Prince Harry go in their grandfather’s place?

Given his assiduous dedication to duty, no one would have been more disappointed than Prince Philip on learning he was not well enough to attend the commemoration for those who fought at Jutland, the greatest naval confrontation of World War I. A decorated naval officer himself, he above all would have appreciated the importance of the ceremony on Tuesday for the 6,000 British sailors and marines who lost their lives 100 years ago in the most appalling circumstances.

Sadly, we must all accept that Philip, at nearly 95, can no longer be relied on to conduct his duties as he did when he was young. Which makes it all the more surprising that neither Prince William nor Prince Harry immediately stepped up to take their grandfather’s place for the day.
It fell instead to that paragon of royal duty Princess Anne to appear on Philip’s behalf. But with respect to the Princess Royal, she has never served in the Forces (although she has a number of honorary military titles), while both William and Harry have been through Sandhurst and were commissioned as officers.

What a fitting tribute it would have been to the veterans’ families for either of the princes — or even both — to attend in their military uniforms. But no, that would have interfered with their own plans. The Palace says William and Harry’s schedules were ‘private’ on the 31st when the service took place at St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, adding helpfully that they were ‘working’ over the weekend at a charity polo match. Perhaps the poor boys were too exhausted knocking a ball around with a bunch of privileged, social-climbing multi-millionaires to consider upsetting their schedules to commemorate those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

In fact, it turns out that William, Kate and their adorable children, George and Charlotte, were attending the Norfolk Horse Trials on Tuesday, at a stately pile near their home — and we were treated to happy family snaps to prove it. All very lovely. But a far cry from the small and bleak cemetery in Orkney where the heroes of Jutland were remembered.

Increasingly, with both princes, there’s a feeling they are far more interested in the perks of their ‘jobs’ and not the hard toil of being an active royal. After all, William thought nothing of charging us for a helicopter flight to take him and Kate home from the Buckingham Palace Garden Party last week. How difficult would it have been for him to fly to Scotland?

[From The Daily Mail]

It’s true, on the same day of the Jutland memorial event, William and Kate were getting pap’d at a low-key equestrian event close to their home. William wasn’t even “working” at the EAAA on that day! And God knows what Harry was up to. While I bet the Princess Royal was happy to appear on behalf of her father, the problem is still the same: William, Kate and Harry are the ones who could and should bring the most attention to charities and important events. While Hary is truly forging his own path, Will and Kate don’t have any excuses.

PS… Here are some photos of Harry last week honoring WWII veterans of Normandy on Thursday, June 2. Harry was told off by one of the veterans because he wasn’t wearing a tie.

Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet, Getty, Pacific Coast News.