William and Harry - I'm puzzled.

Anniebach Eloethan I am with you on your posts.

I, too, ex-forces family going back a few generations. And then married into the Army. My RN father volunteered and did not wait for call up for WWII. He was an ordinary seaman although he had a degree in mechanical engineering and an apprenticeship of 9 years. At the end of the war, all he was offered after making Chief was a commission in the Wavy Navy. My experience after 30 years as Army wife until DH retired 25 years ago, because you were between a rock and a hard place with wives who carried their husband's rank, made me very self contained and independent. One Commandant was so incensed that I did not eat meat (1982) on one Ladies' Dinner Nights, he ordered waiting staff to ensure that I had large portion of red meat. I chased it around the plate until I realised that unless my plate was clean, no-one was going to get dessert - so my husband and his friends finished it off. Of the people we met throughtout DH's career - including RAF and RN - we gravitated towards those who were sincerest. Lord Bramhall was one of the kindest and friendliest Field Marshalls I have ever met. But I only met the one FM anyway. But the story isn't about me, rather the rich and privileged who have choices and who no-one will make them do something they don't like or want. And I do know that the Pilgrims guarded Harry day and night whilst he was playing in the sand pit. It was also published for general knowledge. I remember Katherine Worsley getting married. I understand that for many years she has been teaching piano fee of charge under her maiden name. She has never sought public favour. It is almost as if it is a competition between the others to see who gets most luvvie celebratory status daily/weekly.

Whenever the subject of a republic is raised – ironically, or perhaps not, usually by royalists – the assumption is invariably made that British and Commonwealth republicans would automatically wish to follow the American model. This, of course, is actually the least likely possibility.

Who has mentioned hatred?

Many Republicans over the years.
There are a lot of them out there, have you not heard of their movement? Republicanism in the United Kingdom I think it is called. And certain MPs. I can't remember the name of that particular one who was always spouting off!

True rosequartz

Who has mentioned hatred?

And they would cost us far more, Leticia

I'm not going to read back through the thread but I don't think I've seen any hatred.

I love Alan Bennet's 'The Uncommon Reader' about the Queen.

And they would face exactly the same rosequarz - damned if you do and damned if you don't.
As I recall the Queen came off well in Sue Townsend's book. William and Harry were not born,but I think they would be fine- in fact it would be difficult to be funny about them because they can adapt.

Or the Bercows?

This was still going in the seventies and eighties
that was forty years ago!

Our family also has had its share of ordinary ranks, NCOs and commissioned officers over the generations. A real crpss-section.
We also have ancestors who were described as 'pauper' on the census as well as royalty.

I just wonder who those people who seem to have a hatred and resentment of the Royal Family would like to see as President and First Lady.
The Blairs? The Kinnocks? The Cleggs?

Their personal fortunes totalling some ten million pounds (could be more) comes from their late mother mother.

And talking about Leicester- do you remember the great Sue Townsend of Adrian Mole fame. Remember her when she was 'just' a teacher- and also remember the lovely home she'd bought on Homefield Rd when she made some money from AM. So sad she went blind and met her demise far too early.

The book was called 'The Queen and I' - about A republic voted into the UK and the Queen and whole family placed on a large Council Estate on the edge of Leicester (Netherall if I remember rightly). It was hilarious- my favourite was the Queen Mother's down to earth attitude and her new-found friendship with a West indian grand-mother. Wonderful.

Those of us who grew up in/married into/have serving relatives or worked for the military have our own experiences to draw on in a discussion such as this.

I am not a republican but have never shied away from having an open mind where the monarchy is concerned. As someone mentioned further up the thread they are surrounded by a very efficient and cut-throat PR team so I think it's a healthy attitude to look at situations regarding the Royals and take that into consideration.

The Queen cannot live forever and there will no doubt be some changes in the not too distant future. I grew up in a fervently monarchist family and there were many discussions and even criticisms concerning some of the Royals.

A healthy attitude I think.

The last Air Chief Marshall went to a comprehensive school in Leicester. Everything moves on- including the forces. They go with who can actually do the job.

You would think that life was fair - not that many people get jobs through who they know- it is called networking. My graduate DS wouldn't have taken 13 months to get a job if we had known the 'right' people and could have afforded to keep him in London on an unpaid internship. I would have pulled any strings I could- had I had any! If I was head of armed forces and my grandson wanted to join of course I would try and find a way!
I haven't heard any one, of any rank, in the army criticise him- he appears very popular- a necessity if you are to lead men into battle.
Who you know gets your toe in the door- it is merit that keeps you there.
Even in 1960's my best friend at school was an army officer's daughter- still a friend today, and we were at a secondary modern school.

Anniebach- that was 30/40 years ago - before Harry was born!
I am talking about now- except that my uncle joined the navy in 1936 and had exactly the same experience as rubysong's DH.
An odd thread if OP starts it to say Harry should stay in the army 'a proper job' and yet we now have arguments that he should never have been there in the first place! Damned if you do and damned if you don't.

I don't know if this adds much to the discussion but DH went to a secondary modern school. He scraped into the Royal Navy as an engineering apprentice, worked hard, was promoted and left in 1999 as a lieutenant commander. He was a head of department and squadron engineer. He never felt inferior to others in the wardroom and was well liked. We are still in touch with several of his fellow officers. There was no snobbery that I could ever see. Respect came to those who worked hard and were good at their jobs.

Officers and their ladies, other ranks and their wives. This was still going in the seventies and eighties.

She was very down to earth- and so was he. I have no idea which schools they went to.

I don't want to name names but I used to supply teach, in state schools, with a wife of someone very high up in the army (high up as in near the top) . I have also taught officers children in state schools. I live in a very military area and simply don't recognise the army as Anniebach sees it.
My uncle joined the navy as a 16 yr old stoker and rose to commanding a ship. He wasn't out of place socially, despite leaving a state school at 15 yrs.
They need protection and they might as well be doing something useful while they get it. I don't see why we are arguing about 2 young men wanting to work when they don't need to financially. Good for them.

Well, Prince Harry certainly lived with a Gurkha battalion during his 10 weeks in Afghanistan, but whether that could be classed as "a 24 hour Gurkha guard" I'm not sure.

Unpleasant thought, if William and Harry walked away we would be stuck with Beatrice and Eugenie York , that could only be a nightmare surely

POGS,three sources , Harry himself who said in an interview, his father for thanking the Ghurka regiment for looking after my son in Afghanistan and someone who was there . First two were made public so I am surprised you are unaware of the fact

Anniebach

I am intrigued as to your statement Harry had a 24 hour Gurkha guard in Afghanistan.

Where do you obtain that fact from?

Eloethan, I did not say I admired Phillip, I did say I held respect for Katherine Kent ,I find nothing in the windsors to admire, except for the queens energy.

nigglynellie, why should they not be up for discussion when they live in property we pay for, when they are guarded around the clock, for which we also pay , when roads are blocked to us when they use them - at times . When they are the first family on our say so not theirs . If Harry chose to spend his days doing nothing just partying then fine with me , as long as he buys his own house and pays for his own security . I just cannot agree that either William or Harry give back to this country more than they take