What To Do With A Warrior Prince?
More details are emerging about the on-off shambles of Prince Harry’s deployment to Iraq with the Blues and Royals.
General Sir Richard Dannatt
We are hearing that the decision has left him “devastated” and reconsidering his long-term military career. Did no one think of all this when he joined the Army in the first place, not as a training exercise like Prince William, but as a full-time career Army officer?
In fact, it’s now a distinct possibility that he will be put on a similar path as his brother. William is to leave his regiment shortly for short spells with the RAF and the Royal Navy to prepare for his future role as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. Royal sources are now hinting that Harry may accompany him.
Until then, the Prince will join William in D Squadron of the Blues and Royals, a holding unit that never fights in the field and which is made up of injured soldiers unfit to serve or those preparing to leave the regiment.
The other alternative is to put him in a UN peacekeeping force in Africa or another troublespot where he is unlikely to face kidnap and public torture. If he is deployed, it will be under conditions of absolute secrecy.
Since he now believes he has lost credibility as a professional soldier, the likelihood is that he has secretly agreed to a lesser role for a year or two, before quietly resigning from the Army.
But what then for the warrior Prince?
[...] What To Do With A Warrior Prince? Royal Anecdotes - Royal Secrets [...]
By LifeTimes » Prince Harry Stays Home on May 17th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
I suppose the decision was inevitable, but you’ve got to feel for the boy.
By kit on May 17th, 2007 at 4:35 pm
My feeling is this, if he knows of the danger and still wants to go they should have let him. He is an adult. It would be sad if something happened to him - but royal or not he should be allowed to decide this for himself.
I’m guessing that, when presented with the evidence that other soldiers lives would be at stake by his mere presence, he would have withdrawn all by himself. Not so much worried about his own safety - but perhaps the safety of others.
I’d like to think so, anyway.
By Dodi on May 17th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
I do not agree that Prince Harry has lost credibility as a professional soldier. He has done all that has been asked of him, and like every other soldier, he must obey orders. The MoD made the decision in the best interests of the unit, and for this they should be commended. Prince Harry did his best and showed gallantry and courage in declaring his determination to be deployed. I do not see how he can be faulted in this turn of events, which are not in his power to control.
By Gigi on May 17th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
I agree Gigi - in no way does this diminish his credibility.
I do believe I remember reading (yeah, yeah, I know) that Diana once had a vision of her boys working together when they were older - especially when William becomes King - Harry will be working very closely with him. In some ways, this could prepare them for that eventuality.
Then again - Harry may well want to pave his own way - and good for him if he does. I like the idea of the UN peacekeeping duties, but frankly, we Americans see the UN as an impotent force. They are not without their dangers, in spite of what the article states.
I should do my own research before I ask this stupid question, but well, I’m lazy today. Exactly what did Prince Andrew do when he ‘fought’ in the Falkland Islands back in the early 80s? Was he ever in danger, really?
By On The Outside on May 17th, 2007 at 10:52 pm
Andrew was a helicopter pilot. I remember hearing about the Falkands War at the time. It was a real war, with real guns, strategy, etc. It was dangerous, though not as much as Harry would have faced in Iraq.
By Evelyn on May 18th, 2007 at 1:52 am
There can’t be a comparision between Andrew and Harry. The Falklands war was about 3 months only. There was less than 1000 people, both British and Argentinean, who found death. Nothing to compare with the war in Irak. And I find it hard to capture someone who is in a helicopter
Unless a good cowboy with a good lasso.
Things are really different today, there is a very strong anti-West feeling there, while the Falklands war was about a territory discord. And you can’t find videos of argentinean people cutting throats on internet.
By Lilyfromfrance on May 18th, 2007 at 9:28 am
Exactly, Lily. Andrew flew decoy helicopters to lure Exocet missiles away from the ships. It was very dangerous work, but had he been captured (unlikely) it’s clear the Argentinean people would have followed the Geneva Conventions and treated him like an officer and a gentleman.
Iraq is a very different and utterly cruel environment, especially for a trophy figure like Harry. He should never have been promised a deployment there in the first place.
By John on May 18th, 2007 at 10:52 am
Ah! Thanks everyone. I didn’t mean to insinuate that Andrew was never in a “real war” - I do know there were deaths in the Falklands War, and no - there is no way to compare that war with the war in Iraq.
And John, you’re right about the sort of people we’re up against. They don’t view life the same way we do. They glorify death in a big way. To die in old age of a peaceful death is not something they tend to aspire to. Sad sad sad…
By On The Outside on May 18th, 2007 at 11:31 am
Harry can try to find some niche in the military, but I think no job there will console him for now, which is human. However, I hope he gets over it in time and realizes that his presence would have put other lives at risk. Harry and his brother enjoy a world of privileges none of us can imagine, this is one of the disadvantages of his royal birth.
They want to be like us? Great! I learned at about 10 years old that you can’t always get what you want and life is not fair. Deal with those facts like men, then I’ll really accept that Harry and his brother have matured.
By Positive on May 19th, 2007 at 10:03 am
Let us remember that a major focus in the process of military training, along with the discipline, procedures and skills, is to inculcate in the new recruit a strength of purpose, a fighting will, a fierce competitive spirit that will enable him to face the terrors of the battlefield. Prince Harry has endured the training and embraced the indoctrination of military life. He should not be faulted for his gallant determination to fight along side his men. Now the High Command has deemed it unsafe for both our Prince and the British troops for Prince Harry to fight in a forward area in Iraq. I believe this decision is the right course, and I am grateful Sir Richard had the courage to change his mind. Prince Harry will accept this in time, and like a good soldier, he will obey orders. It is natural, however, that he is deeply disappointed. This does not, in my mind, demonstrate immaturity on his part. I am proud of Prince Harry, proud of his gallantry, courage and fighting spirit, and his determination to serve. I would be grateful if all of us could take a less jaundiced view of these matters and be more generous in our assessments of our young Prince. We are living in times of tremendous events and human emotions are at their height.
By Gigi on May 21st, 2007 at 2:55 pm
“Here dead we lie
Because we did not choose
To live and shame the land
From which we sprung.
Life, to be sure,
Is nothing much to lose,
But young men think it is,
And we were young.”
– A. E. Housman
By Gigi on May 21st, 2007 at 3:20 pm
Excellent sentiment, Gigi.
By John on May 21st, 2007 at 3:28 pm