Will William and Harry motorbike through Africa?
It’s known that Prince William loves motorcycling at speed on his 175mph Honda Blackbird bike. His protection officers have expressed concerns over his daredevil riding on a number of occasions.
Prince William, daredevil on a motorcycle
Now we hear that Prince Harry, who is currently deep in Army duties, has suggested a 1000-mile ride down through Africa in the style of the Ewan McGregor TV series, Long Way Down.
The adventure is planned for later this year, assuming the Princes can get leave from their military careers. Since William is engaged in extensive flying and, later, naval courses, it’s hard to see how he could miss a large chunk and still benefit from them.
The Daily Mail quotes “a friend of the brothers” as saying yesterday: “William is a keen motorcyclist and he couldn’t turn down the invitation from Harry. The trip is currently being planned.”
The friend also claimed, “The regiment has granted them leave.”
Royal courtiers have apparently warned it would be “difficult” for them to get time off together because of their military commitments. So how do we take the claim that the leave has already been granted?
It’s believed that the the proposed trip is to be in aid of Harry’s charity Sentebale, which raises money for orphans in Lesotho.
I must say this story has about as much credence as the one that has Kate Middleton set to row down the Amazon River with The Sisterhood. I don’t believe that will happen, nor do I think this highly dangerous stunt will get off the ground.
Oh for some realistic stories about the Royal Princes and their girlfriends.
I agree with you, John, and I very much hope that if the Royal Princes are contemplating this dangerous outing that cooler heads prevail. I have not as yet fully recovered from the trauma over worrying about Prince Harry being sent to Iraq, which, I truly believe, would have happened, had not Royal Anecdotes taken the lead and appealed directly to the High Command of the Military. I should be very grateful if our two Golden Princes could refrain from living on the edge of danger and have some slight consideration for my nerves, which are well-frayed at this point!
By Gigi on February 11th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
I’m taking the tack that this is the princes idea of a last big adventure before William gets married.
By Evelyn on February 11th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
John,
Please comfort me by saying you have inside information and all is well with Kate and William.
I wonder, do you think we should give credence to the rumor they have only seen each other once since the new year? If so, this does concern me. When first in love, I would have climbed mountains to see my then boyfriend, (now my husband). These days I wish he would take a year off to go to any kind of training – that would be lovely!!!! ……….just kidding!?!?
By Madelaine on February 11th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
I can tell you that the press is upset that William & Kate haven’t been seen together in awhile and they don’t know what to do about it. They don’t have much too write about and so they are coming up with things. I just know that they are fine and still working hard. Sometimes I think the world can be very hard on them but I can see that the world care about them as well. Alot of us have never met these people but feel connected to them somehow and just want them to be happy. I do believe that William will purpose but when he’s done with his duties. Kate is not dating the boy next door and she accepts that. The media don’t really get that. They just want to see a wedding now and I think it will be worth waiting for.
By Claudius on February 11th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Well said, Claudius! I will be grateful if the media would confine themselves to the truth, however. It will be easier on the central nervous systems of all concerned.
By Gigi on February 11th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Madelaine, remember that William & Kate aren’t just “first in love”– they’ve been dating for more than 5 years, even if they aren’t married yet. That 5 years makes a big difference.
By Evelyn on February 11th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
I think those stories suggesting the relationship is over are total rubbish. Some editor said “get me a Will&Kate story” because they’ve largely been out of the limelight these past few months. And even if it were true that they haven’t seen one another much in the new year- so what? William is in the military. When you’re in the military, you don’t see your loved ones so often. Period. The only sad reality here is that most newspapers are far more interested in getting a story that sells than getting a story that is factual.
By Greycella on February 12th, 2008 at 12:53 am
I also think this story has been put up to give Harry a bit of exposure. People are starting to wonder where he is.
As for The People story, that was a repeat of last year’s conversation, almost word for word, between Prince Philip and Prince William. Either the reporter got the dates mixed or they’re just recycling old news.
By John on February 12th, 2008 at 8:02 am
There is an article in hola.com, in spanish, where there is a speculation that w + K broke up according to the media and some friends.
By Marilyn on February 12th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
There is news breaking that Mario Testino himself says that KM is not going to be working with him and he wonders where the story ever came from. If, true as Mr. Testino says, the British newspapers (even some respectable ones) had it spectacularly wrong. So it can be in the stories of a PW and KM break up.
By Claudia on February 12th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
According to the Daily Mail’s article on the inquest into the deaths of Princess Diana and Dodi al Fayed, specifically the testimony of Lord Fellowes, the Queen at some point has ordered the Palace swept for electronic surveillance devices, so it is unlikely that these media people are getting their “inside information” that way. This is beginning to get a bit absurd, however, and all that is being accomplished is to further erode the badly damaged credibility of the news media. Apparently, there is no news about the senior members of the Royal Family right now and the press are inventing some to assist their sales and circulation. To top it all off, Hello has a photo of Prince Andrew with Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, one of the most controversial celebrity couples in America. This is not helpful, in my view.
By Gigi on February 12th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Yes, I’ve just put up a post on this latest about-turn.
A healthy scepticism is the best antidote to all these tales. Some stories ring true, others don’t. Let us wait on events.
By John on February 12th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Excellent notion, John.
By Gigi on February 12th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Not to be mean but why is everyone here going nuts over inaccurate news stories. Gigi may I suggest a cup of tea with a shot to calm you down. lets take a realistic look at things. First If Harry is in a war zone you can be sure he is well protected and no one knows where he is. Second I doubt this trip will take place for two reasons one to my knowledge Harry doesn’t ride and secondly a trip that dangerous with Charles two heir together I don’t think so. As for an engagement and Kate working for Testino well except for Peter and Autumn there is no real news unless you want to count Camilla giving out an equestrienne award zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. So may I suggest cocktails and wait for the Spring when real news will be made.
By Trudie on February 12th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
I am perfectly calm, Trudie, and I am as realistic as anyone about the matters upon which I comment.
By Gigi on February 12th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
William has been out and about in Newquay. Clubbing on Friday night and surfing at Watergate Bay on Saturday. Here’s the link : LINK
By Isana on February 13th, 2008 at 11:24 am
Thanks, Isana.
If you put up a long link, could you make it a text link, as otherwise it breaks the sidebar?
By John on February 13th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Glad to hear that Gigi I thought for the minute there your concern for Harry was about to set you off the rails. As much as everyone is concerned about Harry I’m sure he is safe and sound where ever he is on duty.
By Trudie on February 13th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Where precisely is Harry these days???
Last I heard he wasn’t able to make it to Christmas at Sandringham because he was ‘on’ duty and after that nothing. Not a mention as to his activities – the only mentions he has received are ones like this proposed trip, the one about how he quit smoking and the Chelsy is unable to (it was in the Daily Mail a few weeks ago). But no actual mentions of his locations other than he is ‘on’ duty. Does that mean they have covertly sent him somewhere – a war zone or hostile area perhaps???
Or is he merely just lying low for a while???
P.S. I hope this post doesn’t send poor Gigi into a nervous breakdown but I hope some of you ‘have your ears to the ground’ as they put it and are able to answer a very poignant question.
By buzz on February 13th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Buzz, Harry’s whereabouts are not something we wish to speculate about in case it puts him in danger. He could be at Highgrove with his feet up, although that’s unlikely.
Let’s say he’s off the radar for six months and look forward to seeing him back on form when conditions are right.
By John on February 13th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Well said, John. Where ever Prince Harry is, hopefully he will be at Peter and Autumn’s wedding in May and we will see him (in photographs) at that time. Actually, except for photos that are not quite current, we have seen very little of Prince William as well, due to the restrictions of his pilot training. I believe that there is a good chance that the policy just now is for all to go underground for a time to stem the tide of the media frenzy. I don’t blame the Royal Family one bit!
By Gigi on February 13th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Gigi, it’s amazing the importance Peter and Autumn’s wedding is taking on. We are expecting to see so many people there. The buzz is that the entire Firm will be present. Let’s hope Harry and Kate will be.
By John on February 13th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Where ever Harry is I’m sure he is fine and everyone speculating on the internet could put him in danger if he is accidently sighted by some nut exposing him. As for William’s training the DM certainly have spotted him out and about with his friends in not so trendy places seems he has plenty of free time on his hands.
I for one can’t wait for Peters wedding and Harry being there. If Kate is invited I will wonder how long it will be for them to become engaged officially.
By Trudie on February 14th, 2008 at 12:23 am
I think it is lovely, John, to be able to look forward to the May wedding of Peter and Autumn, a Roayl wedding with all the trimmings, at Windsor, when the May flowers are in bloom! I am delighted that the larger venue was chosen so that all the members of the extended Royal Family can attend! It will be Peter and Autumn’s big day and I hope they make the most of it!
John, do we know when the Queen and Prince Philip’s Anniversary party that was postponed is being celebrated?
By Gigi on February 14th, 2008 at 12:49 am
Here’s an interesting question: Will Prince Harry show up at the anniversary party? Maybe that’s why it had to be put out to March– that’s when Harry will return from his deployment abroad.
By Evelyn on February 14th, 2008 at 4:23 am
Is the Anniversary Party definitely scheduled for March, Evelyn? Thanks for posting that!
By Gigi on February 14th, 2008 at 4:40 am
The last I heard, the anniversary bash was scheduled for March at The Ritz. If Harry’s on a six-month tour of duty, it’s unlikely he’ll make it unless he gets special leave, which may be possible if he’s in some relatively peaceful place like Canada or Belize. Otherwise …
By John on February 14th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Thanks for confirming this, John. It is very soothing to think that we will have the Anniversary Party in March and then the Royal Wedding in May! It is lovely to have a few gala fetes to make the year merry while we await more news of the BIG EVENT!
By Gigi on February 14th, 2008 at 6:27 pm