Earlier this week, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stopped by the American embassy in London to sign the condolence book for the victims of the Orlando tragedy. Many hoped that Prince Harry would also do something special to honor the city, considering Orlando hosted the Invictus Games just a short time ago and the city of Orlando did a great job with it. So, Harry did do something – he wrote a personal letter of condolence to the city’s mayor, Buddy Dyer. A source told People that Harry “was given an incredibly warm reception in Orlando and he wanted to write a letter to the mayor following the events at the weekend.” I’m including a copy of the letter at the end of the post, but this is what he wrote:
“I wanted to write and express my most sincere condolences to the people of Orlando after the horrific attack on the Pulse nightclub on Sunday. Having just spent time in Orlando I know what a warm and welcoming community it is. In spite of this senseless act, I have no doubt that the love and friendship of your city will remain strong.”
“I would also like to pass on my deepest admiration to the law enforcement officers who attended the nightclub during the attack for their extraordinary bravery and professionalism.”
“Our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones at this most difficult of times. You are all in our prayers as you face the days and weeks ahead.”
That’s a lovely thing for him to do. The Queen issued a statement soon after the news broke as well, saying: “Prince Philip & I have been shocked by the events in Orlando. Our thoughts & prayers are with all those who have been affected.”
Meanwhile, and this is just a silly little thing, but Majesty Magazine’s Ingrid Seward is now insisting that Harry introduces his serious girlfriends to Kate so he can get her approval. Seward claims: “I know that he introduces Kate to all his girlfriends who mean something to him. She was friendly with Chelsy and Cressie…. Harry is very sensitive to the fact that Kate had to come into this role and wasn’t born into it… He empathises with Kate and what she is going through. We know it is not as easy for her as it looks. She finds it quite difficult although she would never let on as she is too much of a pro. Kate and Harry giggle about silly things together and he is very gentle with her.” I think it’s true that Harry is “gentle” with Kate. I think a lot of people are very “gentle” with Kate. She comes across as so inexperienced (with life) and sheltered.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Harry is indeed his mother’s son. He seems like such a warm, friendly, approachable “royal.”
Gorgeous.
Major points for Harry.
And, just a tad off subject, but — is it the style in Britain to double-space after a period, as though using a typewriter? (I assume this was typed on a computer.)
Nice of him to sign the letter his office wrote. As someone with a recent personal connection with Orlando, he could have done more.
He could have done nothing, too. This was a kind gesture.
+ 1 Also, who is to say he hasn’t done/isn’t doing more, but just not making a big public deal out of it
What would you have him do?
I would have hand-written the whole thing, not just the greeting and signature.
not to derail the thread, but i think you will be heartened to know that King Felipe of Spain wrote a lengthy note of condolence at the US Embassy in Madrid.
i think it is a good gesture and the text is a welcome departure from standard, short royal message.
http://katemiddletonreview.com/2016/06/15/royals-send-condolences-for-orlando/
however, as noted, any support shown however small, is very welcome.
Perhaps he thinks that his handwriting is illegible and/or he’s a bad speller and he did not want any of his message to be misunderstood.
I understand he is dyslexic. I suspect writing does not come easy.
I’m with Boxy Lady and bluhare — I just looked at William’s entry in the book of condolences, and there were a few small words I couldn’t even make out (I think it’s “with”). I find nothing offensive about Harry’s typed letter.
Some people’s handwriting can be illegible, so perhaps this could be the reason Harry elected to sign a typewritten note. And if he is dyslexic, that’s even more reason. I’m sure as well he had input in what was written, so I won’t castigate the manner of the note. The fact that it was sent is good enough for me.
I’m sure he was involved in the writing of the letter. He didn’t have to mention the law enforcement officers and that sounds like his military background coming through, especially the reference to their “professionalism.”
Why not mention law enforcement? They saved a lot of people.
Tina meant that his “office” didn’t necessarily just write it and put it in front of him to sign as Ramona suggests: he may well have had detailed text input *because* law enforcement was mentioned.
Tina: I am watching the TV in abject horror. I might cry, actually. I hope Jo Cox pulls through. I’m finding it difficult not to despair.
@meme – I think you’ve misinterpreted Tina’s post:
She’s not criticising him – on the contrary, she’s seeing his inclusion of praise for Orlando’s law enforement officers as a very nice and personal and fitting touch, considering Harry’s own military background.
@Sixer, I’ve been weeping on and off for hours. I am in utter despair for our country and our democracy. I don’t know what else to say.
There’s nothing else to say. Except perhaps: have some solidarity from me, from the other side of the political aisle. And a better day tomorrow.
Sixer, I am so sorry for yet another senseless loss.
And solidarity from me too. Corbyn’s speech was beautiful, eloquent and utterly appropriate. For the first time, I saw him as a statesman.
Having slept on it, I do have something to say.
I have met, one-on-one, every MP who has ever represented me since I become an enfranchised adult. I am on first name terms with my current MP, despite my disagreeing with him on almost every issue.
This is a unique and important feature of British democracy.
Both dogwhistle politics and project fear politics put this at risk. And it HAS GOT TO STOP.
Well put, Sixer. I couldn’t agree more.
I’ll start by saying that I think Harry wrote and signed the note, because he’s classy and caring. But FYI, I’m sure they also have a machine that could have signed it for him. I interned for a US senator one summer, and that machine was used a lot (in addition to the one office worker who actually signed his name on his behalf a lot). I don’t the senator ever signed one letter that went out to his consituents. Not saying Harry did that, but it happens.
He hand wrote the salutation and signed it, which is a sign that he actually was involved in writing it. In business correspondence, hand writing the salutation shows that it is not simply a form letter typed by someone else.
Typically routine correspondence is handled and signed by his secretary. The fact that he deliberately addressed and signed it in his own hand is a sign that he was personally involved with the drafting of the letter. It is rare for members of the BRF to write personal letters to anyone outside of their family. This clearly shows his care and concern for Orlando.
The fact that he wrote a heartfelt letter of condolence doesn’t mean that’s ALL he’s going to do. This devastation just occurred. We are all still absorbing the tragedy, and condolence letter(s) can help one get through his or her day, something needed at a time like this.
Gaaaah I wanna stop crying this week already
Me too. Hugs
I’m with you. I’ve been weeping all week. All the mass shootings have been horrific, but this one – like this is some rock bottom sadness that I feel.
I knew that the story about Kate was BS when it made reference to her being a “pro.”
Nice gesture.
I think people being “kind” to Kate are enabling her. You cannot continue to treat a functioning mother of two as a special snowflake for the rest of her life.
Very nice gesture.
Kate has regressed since her wedding.
That was a lovely thing to do. I don’t doubt he introduced girlfriends to Kate, most everyone introduces their girl/boyfriends to family at some point. However, I have a hard time believing he cares whether she “approves” or not.
I adore him!
That was a nice gesture by Harry.
During the hacking scandal, it came out that there was “no love lost” between Kate and Chelsy. Maybe Cressida and Kate were on better terms, but I’d be surprised seeing as Cressida is connected to Isabella Calthorpe and the York sisters.
Would’ve been nice if he mentioned the LGBTQ community in the letter, but it’s a lovely gesture.
Nicely done, Harry.
Agree. This is exactly the right thing and the technique (typed) and tone is perfect.
Grief is a strange beast and in his position, yet knowing how sensitive he is to feelings and others in general, he did an excellent job with this.
I’ve spent most of this week glued to my phone for a friend a few provinces away who is dual citizenship but lives in Canada. He came out as a young man in Orlando. That city and that club is home to him. He has lost many friends since 80s due to AIDS. This letter would go a long way to restoring his faith in human beings. This is all it takes. Anything more would have detracted from their personal grief and made them feel they had to expend energy to thank him. Energy they do not have because they are devastated. This is exactly right imo. Understated, respectful, genuine, real.
Well done Harry. This man…he kills me with everything he does. I still see him as a little boy and yet look at what he turned into. Wonderful soul.
My ginger prince.
Right. The man who thought his future sister-in-law was a Limpet trading on her royal connections? He’s not running any girlfriends by KM. The Yorks, Zara, Autumn, Lady Sarah – any of those I could see, but not his SIL.
I very much doubt that an independent man such as Harry would seek Kate’s approval for anything, especially since she has meddled in his relationships before. Ingrid Seward must think her readers complete fools to believe such tosh, and as for calling Kate a ‘pro’… well, no, Ingrid, she is largely incompetent and too self-absorbed to be professional.
Harry’s letter sounds authentic and its construction is similar to his speech patterns. I have no doubt as to its authenticity.
If the BRF is cutting Kate some slack, perhaps it is because she does have some eating disorder, as well as coming to terms with her parents’ (alleged) separation. it certainly would explain some things.
What is so hard about being a young rich royal who doesn’t have any specific responsibilities besides raising children well?
I’m genuinely curious WHAT is so hard about her life that she handles so well and doesn’t let anyone know of her struggles?
I would think being under constant scrutiny would be incredibly difficult to deal with. However, like you, I have no idea why having all the resources in the world also results in complete disengagement in terms of royal duties. The manic grins don’t cut it.
Kudos to Prince Ginge. He is his mother’s son. Well done.