Prince William to leave the armed forces

Speculation, but is his section perhaps due to go somewhere risky in the near future? In view of an alleged assassination plan during which Harry was hidden out of the way, I don't suppose they want a repeat of that with his brother. He'd be more of a hindrance in such circumstances.

At least Prince William has achieved much more than his father has in his working life and I would rather he and the Dutchess of Cambridge represent the Country when it comes to official engagements etc,they seem to enjoy their duties and are a credit to the Royal Family bringing a more modern touch to the whole Family.

To keep the royals in the public eye? When does the media ever cover Anne or Sophie on the charity or ribbon cutting works. William and Kate most certaintly will have them in droves. There was the time they had the queen and Philip, Charles and Diana, Andrew and Sarah to follow with cameras and put on the front pages and news daily - groan. Aging doesn't attract cameras.

"At least Prince William has achieved much more than his father has in his working life"

Not so sure about that -

"Following royal tradition, Charles served in the navy and air force. After requesting and receiving Royal Air Force training during his second year at Cambridge, on 8 March 1971, he flew himself to the Royal Air Force College Cranwell to train as a jet pilot. Following the passing-out parade that September, he embarked on a naval career, enrolling in a six-week course at the Royal Naval College Dartmouth and then serving on the guided missile destroyer HMS Norfolk (1971–1972) and the frigates HMS Minerva (1972–1973) and HMS Jupiter (1974). He also qualified as a helicopter pilot at RNAS Yeovilton in 1974, just prior to joining 845 Naval Air Squadron, operating from HMS Hermes. On 9 February 1976, he took command of the coastal minehunter HMS Bronington for his last ten months serving actively in the navy. He learned to fly on a Chipmunk basic pilot trainer, a BAC Jet Provost jet trainer, and a Beagle Basset multi-engine trainer; he then regularly flew the Hawker Siddeley Andover, Westland Wessex and BAe 146 aircraft of The Queen's Flight."

About even-steven wouldn't you say?

Thanks feetle for bringing me up to date on HRH PC,pretty impressive I have to admit but I still have to sway to Prince William I'm affraid he just seems that more approachable in his manner.

Lets face it the older royals and minor royals are not particularly popular (apart from the queen I suppose) whereas Will Kate and Harry are. Camilla obviously not keen on public life as she only recently did an engagment on her own. Best advice to the "brand" is to slowly retire all the over 60s and let the new generation front the show.

I seem to remember something many years ago, when Charles was in the navy, I think, when he swam under one of the poles, can`t remember if it was north or south. No, he wasn`t exactly idle as a young man.

To be fair to Charles, much of what he has done has been wiped from memory because of his failed marriage. The Princes Trust has helped so many young people, he always turns up at any area which has met with some force of nature and there must have been times he wanted to stay hidden under the stairs but has always turned up no matter how much hammering he was getting in the press

That he isn't as relaxed in public as his sons , in my opinion , being from a different generation he was 'trained ' in a much different way to his sons

Charles had a horrible time at school - he is not naturally a team player and was bullied at both his prep school and Gordonstoun. His father despised him, preferring the more macho Andrew (and the even more macho Anne.) Ironic, given the rumours that later surfaced about their respective sexuality. I have always felt rather sorry for him - such a lonely life. Is anybody ever really relaxed in the company of the Royal Family?
He shouldn't have married Diana knowing he was in love with Camilla but there was a lot of pressure on him, not least from his uncle, Lord Mountbatten. He is now married to the love of his life and seems much more relaxed and appears to be a loving father.

I think Prince Charles has a lot to look forward to. He is obviously happy in his marriage and will probably be taking over more official functions from the Queen which will put him in the front line for a change. He will also be able to leave the arduous overseas tours to William and Kate who have the popularity, youth and energy.

HRH Prince Charles does talk a lot of piffle about things he really knows nothing about - his support for so-called alternative medicine being a case in point. And as has been said by at least one person who works with him, you can't argue with him.

Oooooh, I have used alternative medicines for years , well the queen and I actually

I heard on the news today that the RAF Search and Rescue service is to be privatised (what a surprise!) and that is why William needs to get out now. It was on the BBC so hopefully correct!

Yes it is correct wisewoman,

Not just "alternative" medicines but homeopathy, that well known fraud. And he does not seem to understand that sticking his oar in re the NHS on this subject is inappropriate.
Yes Wills is redundant - it was announced months ago. Presumably did not fancy being TUPEd

Who cares?

Charles is much maligned, in my opinion. He had a very different sort of upbringing from the freedoms enjoyed by William and Harry.
The Prince's Trust is a marvellous organisation and Charles is not just a figurehead but very involved. He's not perfect human being, but none of us are! I think he cares about things.
As for William leaving the services, well it was always on the cards that he would. I believe he will do his best to find something worthwhile to do, and with the Queen getting older he will obviously be needed to help fill the gap.
It can't be easy being Royal in this day and age, and no-one can choose the circumstances into which they are born. Everything they do is going to picked over and criticised, no matter how hard they try.
I would hate to be royal!

Very sweet the way William got a bit emotional about the lions he is going to protect.

Absent I'm sure you're really not expecting a reply to that pithy comment, so why bother posting it? Hasn't there been enough unpleasantness on this forum lately without trying to stir up some more? Actually,that is probably why you posted it. No doubt someone will now tell me in strident terms that anyone can post what they like etc etc.... Well yes, of course they can, but other people don't have to like it, and have the right to say so.

Well said ceesnan.

I agree with that Ceesnan and in fact we should care. The Royal family and all that goes with it is a great institution, our tourism industry alone depends on it, the pomp, splendour and tradition is not everyone's cup of tea, but it is ours and we should be proud that we have a royal family, some of whom are respected wold-wide. Apart from that, and being a little flippant, - what would the media have to report upon if we did not have a royal family.

I don't think the UK tourist industry depends on the Royal Family. France is the most visited country in the world and has not had a monarch since 1789. I think tourist go to Britain for the scenery, history and architecture - especially people who come from countries where the oldest house is no more than a few hundred years old.
(Absent lives in New Zealand, so she won't be bothered about the tourist industry in the UK!)

I agree with Greatnan on the tourism thing.

IMO it's a bad move on William's part.

In the Armed Forces he was immune from much criticism or harping from the press but if the couple are just to be seen as attending dinners for elephants, visiting hospitals, etc., and talk of a 'transitional' year, people might begin to wonder what we are paying for.

Charles has been in a non-role preparing to be king for so long - I can't imagine why William wants to do the same.

"Who cares" seems a fairly mild response to me, given that so much broadcasting time is devoted to the royal family.