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Prince Charles wore 13 medals yesterday on VJ Day. What do you think about it?

(124 Posts)
Urmstongran Sun 16-Aug-20 10:22:03

I think Charles defaces the value and meaning of medals by wearing them when he hasn't earned them. I think the Royals look a bit silly with a chestful of them.

????????????? (13)

Esspee Sun 16-Aug-20 13:19:35

Isn’t one of them a Blue Peter badge?

Grany Sun 16-Aug-20 13:20:06

You're welcome annepl

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Bridgeit Sun 16-Aug-20 13:21:49

Well they came from somewhere & I don’t think he went out and bought them, perhaps a need for some to read up on history.

Lucca Sun 16-Aug-20 13:24:29

“I suppose you either you agree with a traditional system or you want a republic.”
Not necessarily. A RF is one thing. Wearing medals is different from wearing suits hats etc etc

Bridgeit Sun 16-Aug-20 13:30:10

It is easy to investigate past history, Including who did what where & when during world wars 1 & 2 which also includes the RF, over & out .

Grannynannywanny Sun 16-Aug-20 13:38:58

Bridgeit yes you are correct in saying they must have come from somewhere. They came from his mother. The Queen awarded him those top military titles and medals

Grannynannywanny Sun 16-Aug-20 13:42:15

BBC article...

The Prince of Wales has been awarded the highest rank in all three military services by the Queen.
Prince Charles becomes a Field Marshal, Admiral of the Fleet and Marshal of the Royal Air Force.
His appointment to the honorary five-star ranks recognises his support for the Queen as Commander-in-Chief

avitorl Sun 16-Aug-20 13:43:57

I wouldn't wear the medals that my mother and Father were awarded for their service in the 2nd World War.They earned them ,I didn't. When I was a child they used to let me play with them for dressing up.When I asked what they got them for Mum told me it was for her singing.She had a dreadful singing voice.I think they really wanted to forget about the reality of why they had them.

Alegrias Sun 16-Aug-20 13:49:25

People don't just get awarded medals and awards for fighting in wars and being brave. My own father, thankfully, never fought in a war but does have a chest full of medals, awarded for military and civilian purposes. And he wears them proudly on appropriate occasions.
I have no doubt that Charles is wearing the awards he is entitled to wear at a military event. I also don't expect that the veterans were offended by them, as I'm sure they understand how the system works.
BTW, I'm a republican but Charles wearing medals he's entitled to is the least of my worries about the RF.

pigsmayfly. Sun 16-Aug-20 13:49:59

I don’t think he should wear medals unless he was awarded them for active service

SueDonim Sun 16-Aug-20 13:58:01

This is interesting reading to me. I’ve often wondered about those medals. I take it from what some on here have said that they’re basically ceremonial medals?

The reason for my interest is that my Dh served for 14 years in the Royal Navy and has not a single medal to show for it, despite taking part in active operations. None of his compatriots were given medals, either.

It seems to have become a thing later on to give medals almost for good attendance. It’s a bit like how some schools give medals to all children for attending sports day, irrespective of taking part or winning anything.

Callistemon Sun 16-Aug-20 14:28:23

Grannynannywanny

Bridgeit yes you are correct in saying they must have come from somewhere. They came from his mother. The Queen awarded him those top military titles and medals

Because one day, unless there's another revolution or he predeceased his mother, he will one day be Commander-in-Chief himself.

He's deputising and learning on the job!

Alegrias Sun 16-Aug-20 14:30:01

@SueDonim I wouldn't go so far as to say they are for "good attendance" wink but it is that kind of thing. They mark the fact that someone took part in a campaign or something similar. A quick Google search showed me that there is in fact an Ebola Medal for people who took part in the humanitarian effort in the Congo during that epidemic - quite relevant to today's world!
Sorry to hear about your husband not getting any recognition. In most cases I think you have to apply for them, has he thought of doing that?

Callistemon Sun 16-Aug-20 14:30:09

SueDonim not one for Good Conduct (or Udetected Crime as it is commonly known)?

Grandma70s Sun 16-Aug-20 14:41:08

No medals in our family, unless you count the ones I won for speech and drama, or my brother’s London Marathon medal, or my mother’s scholarship medal from 1917. We don’t wear them. I wouldn’t wear a medal whether I had earned it or not. It’s showing off.

Bridgeit Sun 16-Aug-20 14:47:14

Found a great photo, but can’t seem to upload , can anyone help please

annep1 Sun 16-Aug-20 14:49:14

Grany thanks again.

Callistemon Sun 16-Aug-20 14:52:15

Should the Admiral of the Fleet not be a long serving Naval officer?
What do you mean by that?

First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff? (Admiral Tony Radakin)
Fleet Commander? (Vice-Admiral Jerry Kyd)

Callistemon Sun 16-Aug-20 14:53:14

I should add that Admiral of the Fleet is a rank in the RN.

Greyduster Sun 16-Aug-20 14:57:19

My father had five medals. He was called up to the Army and served throughout the war but was not involved in front line service. They are “theatre” medals, awarded automatically as recognition of service to anyone who served in a particularly theatre of war, i.e. Italy, Africa, etc. The same applies in today’s armed forces. My DH acquired three during his Army service, as did my DS who was in the RAF. I would take exception to anyone saying they didn’t deserve them just because they weren’t front line personnel, as, I fancy, would most veterans and those still serving. “They also serve”, etc......... as for Prince Charles, I believe he commanded a vessel of some sort during the Icelandic Cod Wars, so he deserves at least one for getting cold and wet I should imagine!

Alegrias Sun 16-Aug-20 14:57:46

@Grandma70s I don't wear my maths medal from school or my highland dancing medals from when I was a girl. But my 85 year old dad does wear his BEM when the occasion merits it, and yes, he is showing off. He's showing off that his friends and colleagues thought enough of him to nominate him for it.

boodymum67 Sun 16-Aug-20 14:57:58

I wondered why he wasn't wearing a uniform

lemongrove Sun 16-Aug-20 14:58:12

Seeing him did make me think of an old song.....anyone else remember it
My brother, Sylvest ..has a row of shiny medals on his chest,
Big chest..it takes all the army and the Navy etc etc.?

Callistemon Sun 16-Aug-20 14:58:13

I wouldn't wear a medal whether I had earned it or not. It's showing off

I am sure all those who fought for your freedom, including Sir Tom Moore, proudly wearing their Burma Star etc, would benefit from your profound wisdom Grandma70.

It must have been really harrowing earning a medal for speech and drama.

Callistemon Sun 16-Aug-20 15:01:33

I don't know that one lemongrove
Can you sing it please!

??????? louder!!