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

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.?

I wondered why he wasn't wearing a uniform

@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.

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!

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

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)

Grany thanks again.

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

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.

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

@SueDonim I wouldn't go so far as to say they are for "good attendance" 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?

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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 .

“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

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.

You're welcome annepl

Here is the complete set of Republic YouTube videos up to date.

m.youtube.com/c/RepublicCampaign/videos?disable_polymer=true&itct=CCAQ8JMBGAEiEwjPk6202Z_rAhVzOUwKHT_ADV0%3D

Isn’t one of them a Blue Peter badge?

Bridgeit - as no one else has responded to your comment, I will. Yes, I would proudly wear my father's medals, including his Burma Star. But do you really think that the medals that Charles wears have been passed down to him through his family? I can't remember either the Queen or her father, or his father come to that, battling it out on the front line....... And no, I'm not a republican!

I don’t feel the need to be either a republican or a monarchist but I see no problem with questioning traditions. The queen has carried on the traditions of a bygone age. Perhaps, when Charles becomes king he will have his own ideas of what traditions he will carry forward. Wearing gongs that he did not earn might not survive.