Harry laying a wreath.

Ellianne

Thank you for your input suziewoozie. I am wearing my poppy with pride as a member of a Services Family both past and present.
We have already acknowledged the fact in this thread that we don't really know what the appropriate answer should have been.

You’ve sanitised the responses somewhat methinks. There’s been a lot of posts thoroughly enjoying the pile on.

Thank you Susie. “They used Remembrance Day as an opportunity for a photo shoot.” Who says? You are all I’m afraid determined to damn them both.
There are some posters who appear obsessed with this issue and I am perfectly entitled to both read it and comment on it.

When I watched the Rememberance Service yesterday, I noted that Harry and Andrew were not there. I would have been very surprised if they had been there. It seems to me that for very different reasons, the presence of either of the princes, or a wreath from them, would have been inappropriate. I thought the service was, as usual, totally appropriate and solemn. Both Prince Andrew and Prince Harry are no longer part of our public life in the UK. If they wanted to pay their respects to the dead of all our wars, then it would have been appropriate to do it privately. I don’t think anyone expected anything from either Prince. They no longer do public duties, nor represent the British public, or the British Armed Forces.

suziewoozie, it’s not what they did, but the way they did it. It was quite right and proper that Harry, as a former soldier should pay his respects to the fallen, and pay tribute to serving officers, just not in the way that it was done.

Also because of the time difference, the newspapers covered this story which distracted not only from the press coverage of the service at the Cenotaph, but from the extremely significant anniversary. of the unveiling of the Cenotaph by King George Vth in 1920. It would be very naive to think that they would be unaware of the impact of the carefully selected photographs. This was not one photograph, but several.

I agree that at times Gransnet can be awful, you only have to look at the political comments to see that. No-one here has been abusive, members have merely expressed their opinions, which they are free to do......... just as you are.

It is quite simple had the establishment been reasonable they could have said a wreath would be laid for him as an ex serviceman and as acknowledgement of past roles he held -Captain General of the Royal Marines, Honorary Air Force Commandant of the Royal Air Force Base Honington, and Honorary Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Naval Commands’ Small Ships and Diving, but not as a member of the RF. It could have been done in the later part of the commemoration. Result, he gets a chance to remember his colleagues and the sacrifices and they are denied a photo opportunity. Done quietly and without fuss. But the British Establishment never get things right.

Lexisgranny

*suziewoozie*, it’s not what they did, but the way they did it. It was quite right and proper that Harry, as a former soldier should pay his respects to the fallen, and pay tribute to serving officers, just not in the way that it was done.

Also because of the time difference, the newspapers covered this story which distracted not only from the press coverage of the service at the Cenotaph, but from the extremely significant anniversary. of the unveiling of the Cenotaph by King George Vth in 1920. It would be very naive to think that they would be unaware of the impact of the carefully selected photographs. This was not one photograph, but several.

I agree that at times Gransnet can be awful, you only have to look at the political comments to see that. No-one here has been abusive, members have merely expressed their opinions, which they are free to do......... just as you are.

It’s an opinion on how he did it and many of you chose to put the worst interpretation on it rather than being the better person. Many posters used it as a cheap and hypocritical way to behave rather than showing real respect to what we are supposed to be remembering at the moment.

''Montecito has its own cemetery with a more modest veterans' section than the LA cemetery. The LA cemetery is an hour and a half away from their home by car. So why didn't they quietly lay their flowers and wreath in their own community cemetery rather than travelling to a grander, showier venue for photographs?''

why go to the Cenotaph in London then? Could it be he wanted his friends and ex serving colleagues and the veteran charities he worked so hard for, to see he cared, even if not allowed to be at the Cenotaph.

Criticising hypocrisy can be read in two ways. I read it 'the other way'.

Some of you are so nasty. I do wonder what his mother would think of you if she read your comments.

Just ignoring it would have lessened the distraction then wouldn’t it?

trisher, your suggestion that the RF allow a wreath to be placed on behalf of Harry in recognition of the roles he previously held and his service seems eminently sensible and sensitive. too much to expect it seems.

Iam64

trisher, your suggestion that the RF allow a wreath to be placed on behalf of Harry in recognition of the roles he previously held and his service seems eminently sensible and sensitive. too much to expect it seems.

And just imagine the responses on here if that had happened. There’s a group of posters on GN who clearly need a regular fix of criticising M and H. How sad to use this particular excuse

I agree suziewoozie. I find it sad and so unpleasant.

To be honest, I would rather have seen both Andrew and Harry in uniform laying wreaths at the Cenotaph than Edward (Wessex Yeomanry? Perleese!!) who quit after four months in the Royal Marines! He didn’t even complete his training!

Good point Greyduster. I'd rather never see Andrew again but, you're correct about Edward
Covid would prevent Harry being at the cenotaph this year but I don't see why he shouldn't be there in future years.

Some of you are so nasty. I do wonder what his mother would think of you if she read your comments

If Diana were able to read these comments, she would still be alive and Harry would definitely still be a senior member of the Royal Family.

Iam64

Good point Greyduster. I'd rather never see Andrew again but, you're correct about Edward
Covid would prevent Harry being at the cenotaph this year but I don't see why he shouldn't be there in future years.

Maybe in future years, if present, he will be able to do this. I don't know what the rules are for wreath-laying...
Do you have to be serving in some capacity?

Covid would prevent Harry being at the cenotaph this year but I don't see why he shouldn't be there in future years.

Part of the 'Megxit' deal was that Harry would sever his links with his military connections, apart from the Invictus Games.

If he attends in future years it will be in a reduced capacity.

Nobody's being nasty. What has happened was his choice.

Do you have to beservingin some capacity?
They have to be representatives of The Crown, so yes "serving" in all manner of ways.

merlotgran

^Some of you are so nasty. I do wonder what his mother would think of you if she read your comments^

If Diana were able to read these comments, she would still be alive and Harry would definitely still be a senior member of the Royal Family.

Do you truly think that Diana would have stopped Harry marrying Meghan?

“ Nobody's being nasty. ”
Comments about Meghan putting her hand on Harry’s back like he’s a four year old/ comments about her heels/accusing them if using it as a photo opportunity.. none of that una nasty ? Wow I’d hate to be there when those posters really are being nasty!

biba, Harry's emotional state and mental health issues are a result of his mother's death. Had she lived I doubt he would have been attracted to Meghan and quite honestly, I think Diana would have disliked her.

wow- talk about speculation.

Yep. You do it all the time on the political threads.

How interesting that we have 5 pages on a posh bloke and his American wife, but only 2 on a potentially life changing vaccine for Coronavirus.

Just saying.

What a load of high horse rhetoric from some GNers.
Some of us think that it was a typical photo shoot opportunity from the former royals......some think it perfectly fine and dandy of the former royals.So far so good,
It’s our own opinion after all.What spoils this is the way that the high horse brigade lambast others for their views.
Harry and Meghan are attention seekers par excellence.....the very last thing they want is ‘a quiet life’.

The royal family do not place wreaths because they have served in the armed forces, they lay wreaths representing
battalions etc, they hold military appointments, Anne didn’t
serve in the armed forces but she holds military appointments as does Edward.

Harry resigned from his military appointments