William and Harry - I'm puzzled.

I think that brings us full circle, absent.
Merlotgran started it by saying she was puzzled by it, my first post said that I wasn't. I really can't see that it matters whether we are puzzled or not.
It is quite clear from this thread that whatever they do they are wrong in some eyes and the rest couldn't care less!
If you are going to have your life open to public scrutiny, and be damned for some by any choice you make, then you might as well go for what you want to do anyway.
I really can't see why we are arguing about two young men, who own big enough personal fortunes to never have to work again, wanting to do something more useful with their lives- when one may have years ahead before he comes to the throne and the other has to have 5 deaths before would be likely to.
A lot better preparation to meet perfectly ordinary people, than to live a totally privileged lifestyle.

However, if they can open doors and do some good in the world to people and wild life/animals because of who they are, then surely that has to be a good thing. I don't think many tourists/ people line the streets for a glimpse of any other head of states children/family, so the revenue the royals drum up for this country both here and abroad must be a good thing too.

People want to see them. I have caught a glimpse of the Queen 3 times in over 60 yrs, and my mother once in over 90 yrs. obviously we are not typical or there would be no crowds wherever they go!

I saw the Queen not long after the coronation when I was a child. I can still remember the crowds and excitement! OH met the P of W about 15 years ago at an agricultural show and was agreeably surprised at how pleasant he was, bearing in mind the awful press he gets. Prince Edward once came to where we lived in Somerset some years ago but seemed a bit negative!!!! Still drew the holiday makers though!

If Jed Bush were to become president it would be through the ballot box not birth . If this country could vote in a royal after the death of the queen William would be next on the throne , this sums up what we realy think about the royals, pass over Charles , too old and boring, let's have William , younger and better looking , very Hollywood, yuck

I wasn't thinking of the Beast of Bolsover, ruby, for whom I have a regard!
I think it was Willie Hamilton, someone mentioned him.

I think it does matter what they do, William in particular, and I think he is putting off full-time Royal duties as long as possible and who can blame him?
The Queen probably encourages this too, remembering her happy days before she had to take on the duties of the crown.

Anyway, I don't think being a search and rescue pilot is 'a jolly' and that term is an insult to all the extraordinary people who work in that field, pilots, medics, doctors and their backup teams.
(Which probably means that William is mixing with extraordinary rather than ordinary people - but of course they could be rescuing ordinary people!)

I referred to a jolly, I did not say being a search and rescue pilot was just a jolly, I did say it is for William. He doesn't work the same number of hours as the rest of the team, has extended holiday leave, he loves flying helicopters and this job which will be part time allows him to enjoy his hobby. I rather he did this than went shooting though

Has he completed his land management course at Cambridge yet ?

Crumbs, Anniebach, I jolly well hope so. It was a very short course.

Is this the Land Management Course which also reduced his fees. He could have gone to Duchy Estates and studied for free.

The PR machine shot an own goal a few weeks ago when it came out in full force due to another sordid claim about Andrew. On Sky News, they claimed that they were the "Marmites" family. You either love them or hate them. Actually, I prefer Vegemite.

There ae threads and talks elsewhere like this from time to time. And then I look at the crowds that go to look at the royals when they are out and about.
And the crowds look the same size as normal to me.
So I dont think that the popularity of the Royal Family is waning.
And since we have had one in this country for more than 1000 years, I dont think that it is going to stop anytime soon.
And I am also not keen on politicians getting more status.

You can go on line and find out all about it if you're that interested. The cost is being born privately,no burden on the public purse so again, none of anyone else's business.

Other students paying full fees were quite upset.

nigglynellie, I think you are rather bossy telling others what is or isn't their business. If the PR machine announces to the press any activities carried out by the windsors then I think it is open to discuss . If you are a moderator then I apologise

I am very, very pleased that I am a private person! It comes to something when a job doesn't count if you actually enjoy it!
My son gets paid to do art all day- I didn't realise that you were not supposed to do something that you would do as a hobby!
Anyone would think that he was on the rota to have holidays- not to have two jobs!
I can't see the least need to have a progress report on his land management course! I don't know why we needed to be told he was doing it. I expect he did a fast and convenient course rather than taking longer on Duchy estates.i can't see why they wouldn't reduce fees- great publicity for them and probably got a lot more applications because of it.

Leticia. Are you seriously suggesting that Cambridge University reduced Prince William's fees to attract other students on to the course?

Would Joe Bloggs get reduced fees if he could afford the full whack?

His PR machine thought we needed to be told Leticia

Duke if cambridge land management course

Sorry- that didn't make any sense- back in a minute!

He didn't join a course- he had one specially designed for him.
I think they need a break- it is impossible to do anything knowing some people are going to shout WRONG, UNFAIR, PRIVILEGED or worse.
Of course he is privileged- he is second in line to the throne!

Any organisation wants royalty taking part- it attracts others. e.g the duchess of Cambridge wearing a high street dress sells in thousands!

I think you should apply for a job with their PR team, Leticia

They couldn't attract others to the course- it was a one off course for one person with a few PhD students in some classes. I bet Cambridge we're glad to win over rivals.

I don't even know why I am arguing, merlotgran- it isn't something that bothers me -except I always fight for the underdog and the only fact is that there is absolutely nothing they can do which will be right- nothing.

My auto spell is going berserk today! Were not we're.

I totally agree with you Leticia. I can't see that anyone had to know about P.W's course at all! It's clearly a private matter, but of course the media pick it up from 'somewhere' and the public lap it up, often searching for something negative to say. The agricultural course has been especially tailored for P.W, and is not part of the general run of studies offered by Cambridge, and I expect the fees have been reduced (if they have) to encourage others onto this individual one off course. I too, find it hard to believe that having a job you enjoy is somehow a bad thing and thought of as jolly, I would think royal duties are anything but! I worked for years in social care for the elderly. I loved my job, but it certainly wasn't a jolly!! Surely you can combine what you enjoy doing with your job of work without courting disapproval! It might just be that P.W feels the need to help others as and where he can? It's just a thought!!