Prince William flew Chinook to stag party
Prince William flew a heavy-lifting Chinook helicopter to the Isle of Wight for Peter Phillips’s stag party, it has emerged.
A Chinook Helicoper like William flew costs £35m ($70m)
He flew from RAF Cranwell to Woolwich Barracks in London to pick up Prince Harry before flying on to the Isle of Wight, following his Wings ceremony on Friday. The helicopter’s co-pilot then took the aircraft back to base.
All told the chopper saved the two Princes a six-hour journey through rush-hour traffic and a ferry journey.
Prince William’s RAF commanders defended the flight, claiming it had been authorized and that flying over London and open water was an essential part of his RAF training.
An RAF spokesman said, “Having spent a week under instruction with a Chinook helicopter Squadron Prince William flew a legitimate training sortie which tested his new skills to the limit. Flying at low level Prince William piloted the heavy support RAF Chinook helicopter through the busy London flying lanes to a helicopter landing site in Central London before departing the lanes to the South West, making a water crossing and an approach to a civilian airfield routinely used by Chinook Squadrons. His final flight tested his burgeoning flying skills to the full and he performed very well indeed.â€
At the end of all that was a stag party in traditional outrageous style. William was no doubt also celebrating his major achievement of getting his Wings and flying the ultimate military machine to a right Royal party.
William’s future plans include embarking on an intensive course of Royal engagements to prepare for becoming a full-time working Royal in 2009. He will spend two weeks travelling the country on behalf of his charities and meeting members of the public.
The Prince is patron of 14 organizations and is described as being “keen to roll up his sleeves and get stuck in” by publicizing the charities’ work during May.
I read somewhere that William had been scheduled to fly a similar route (over London and open water) last Monday, but a meeting with RAF leaders created a time conflict. So, while on the surface it may seem to some like “special royal privileges,” such a flight was in fact something William was required to do before finishing his time with the RAF.
Yes, I’m sure William impressed the guys, arriving flying a helicopter. I’d guess Harry was pleased to be included.
By Evelyn on April 15th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
And a Chinook at that, Evelyn.
Wisely, he didn’t fly it home.
By John on April 15th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Where on earth did he find to park it on the Isle of Wight? The Chinook looks bigger than an island!
That was a good plan, to combine a trip with a necessary final requirement of his flight training. I am also impressed that the Prince skillfully navigated the complicated and crowded airways over London in that immense helicopter.
By Gigi on April 15th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
There’s an airfield on the Isle of Wight, Gigi, that’s used by Chinook squadrons of the RAF.
By John on April 15th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Why was the party held on the island in the first place? Could it be because that’s where the RAF planned to send William on the day? The Mail makes it sound like William was given an RAF aircraft for a Royal joyride, which doesn’t seem likely.
It seems more likely that the party was planned around his RAF commitments, not the other way round.
By Dan on April 15th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
I don’t know, Dan, but I guess it was Peter’s choice. The Isle of Wight is a wonderful place, just like England used to be. It’s also well known to the Royal Family because of Cowes sailing week every summer.
I think it’s probable that William prevailed on his commanding officer to combine the two operations — after all, it would be unlikely that the London flight and the flight over open sea could be done in one go. The Isle of Wight trip allowed the two to be done simultaneously.
But I could be wrong.
By John on April 15th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
regardless if the flight was part of william’s requirement in terms of “PR” doesnt look good…question the public would want to know..would another pilot be allowed to combine a required flight with a stag weekend.??
just a thought
By coni on April 15th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Coni, the RAF gets very little publicity for what it does compared with the Army and Royal Navy. This is great stuff for them.
By John on April 15th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
john..am hoping william and harry are not seen as taking advantage of their position thats all…but if you say its “all good” thats good enough for me – you know more about this type of thing than i do..
By coni on April 15th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Hi John
I agree with Coni on this one, I don’t necessarily think this was a good idea. I can hear it all now, spending tax payers money on joy rides, special priviledges…. I don’t think any of his other RAF peers would have been allowed the same privilege. It’s all over and done now & I am sure a good time was had by all, but with impending recession and news headlines that the trip cost thousands of pounds it may not have been a good move.
By Jackie Mccoy on April 15th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
I would agree if this flight in the Chinook had been a joy ride, but it clearly was not. In order to complete the last phase of his pilot training, Prince William was required to fly a Chinook a certain distance under certain conditions. The RAF command decided that a trip over London airways to the Isle of Wight met the standards and requirements for this last phase of training and allowed Prince William to do this, with a co-pilot, and to pick up Prince Harry en route. This is what Amerians call “killing two birds with one stone,” or, in these more PC days, “multi-tasking.” I truly see no problem with it, public relations wise or otherwise wise. Am I being naive?
By Gigi on April 15th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
I don’t know Gigi, it’s a bit of a stretch. Picking up his brother as well along the way???? The way a lot of the public may see it is would anyone else in his squadron have been allowed to do the same thing? If not then why was he? He wasn’t just going to the Isle of Wight and coming straight back. He went to a stag party afterwards….
I don’t personally have a problem with it but I just don’t think it was a very good idea. I don’t think it shows him in a favorable light at all.
By Jackie Mccoy on April 15th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
True, it could be misinterpreted, and there are some usual suspects guaranteed to do that.
But, as Gigi says, it complied with the requirements of the service, so did no harm. Also he flew into a recognized Chinook airfield. Sound common sense, says I.
By John on April 15th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
while i get the whole “killing two birds w/one stone/multi-tasking” just doesnt look good..
By coni on April 15th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Poor people. It’s expected from them that they dedicate their whole lives to serving their country. But if there is a little chanse that they have had a slight advantage of some kind, the knives are out. They must have nightmares about having spent the tax-payers’ money.
By dagga on April 15th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
I don’t understand why they are not attacking whoever gave the permission for William to take that flight. If it was wrong for him to fly (and if it was a sheduled training flight it wouldn’t have been) it’s surely the RAF commander who’s to blame. That person would have overstepped his/her competence to allow William a “joy ride”. But no it’s of course William’s fault.
Furthermore what difference does it make where he flies to (if the distance is about the same) and whether he takes his brother along? The costs for the flight would have been just the same had he flown another route alone on another day. But some people will never allow logic to hinder them from attacking a member of the Royal Family.
By Isana on April 15th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
The more I think about it, the more I agree it was a mistake, purely from a PR standpoint. (And we’ve yet to hear from the “carbon footprint” police on this one.)
The question is whether no one in Clarence House considered the PR implications–suggesting a bit of a tin ear–or no one cared. There does seem to be a “damned the press” attitude on the part of Charles and his sons. And who can blame them?
By Dan on April 15th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Isana
I for one am not attacking a member of the Royal Family and I don’t think that Coni was either. The point we were making is that William is a Royal which means he has a reputation to up hold and keep and it doesn’t look very good if a member of the Royal family who is because of his heritage held in high esteem and paid for by members of the public is seen to be using an RAF vehicle so to speak for borderline personal use. No one is attacking William on this website, we are just questioning whether it was a sensible idea. Yes he would have had to fly the same amount of miles any way but it’s what he did when he landed as well as picking up his brother which is the problem. If my memory serves me correctly alot of MP’s and politicians in the past have gotten into trouble for similar things. Using government planes or cars to get to personal events and that has been recevied too well either. I don’t know what CH was thinking they did so well only a few days before with his wings ceremony and the media and this happens and it just sours everything…. But maybe that is why they are looking for a new press secretary?
By Jackie Mccoy on April 15th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Jackie..
well said!
thanks
coni
By coni on April 15th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Since sunday they are looking for a new press secretary – spill over the C&C rif/row drama, Kate Middleton banned-invited-last minute invited, and now this – IMO, fine he did the miles needed, but agree bad PR.
By Me on April 15th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Whether or not it was part of Prince William’s training, it’s the perception that the flight to the Isle of Wight, where Peter Phillips just happened to be having his stag party, was a misuse of taxpayer’s money. Look at all the grief heaped upon Prince Andrew, or should I call him “Air Miles Andy,” when he flies to an engagement and combines his visit with a round of golf. As John said, there will always be the usual suspects ready to attack, so don’t give them the ammunition.
By Arthur on April 16th, 2008 at 12:27 am
Has anyone seen any outpouring of criticism in the press? So far I have not, but I only read a few online.
By Gigi on April 16th, 2008 at 3:26 am
Hey,there have to be some exclusive perks to being a Prince.
My God,the poor man has no privacy in his love life,etc.,etc.
Let him have the darned helicopter for the weekend.
By Duchess of the Tipton Till Plain on April 16th, 2008 at 3:44 am
Dan, if we start counting “carbon footprints” on military training, we may as well roll over and let our enemies do what they like.
The PR side of this may actually be positive. The sight of a future King flying a huge Chinook is actually quite impressive, and most people realize that if you’re Royal there will be privileges. If you don’t flaunt them — and William certainly didn’t do that — no harm is done.
By John on April 16th, 2008 at 7:44 am
Clarence House doesn’t seem to have been involved in the decision, it was purely an RAF-led operation, while he was on duty. The destination is neither here nor there, since the aim was to fly over London and over water. The airfield on the Isle of Wight is a recognized Chinook landing site. Nobody is actually making much noise over this.
By John on April 16th, 2008 at 7:50 am
I think the trip would have been allowed for any of the cadets. In fact I think it shows the RAF in good light, it shows them to be adaptable and not too rigid in a beaucratic sense.
He needed to fly over london and he needed to fly over sea, the scheduled flight was cancelled and so he took advantage of that to say how about the Isle of Wight. It would have been churlish and small minded to say no just because he was going there anyway.
To me the whole enterprise reminds me of when the world wasn’t red tape mad.
And I have to say I was surprised ( and pleased) that there was little or no criticism in the DM comments because they normally love to put the boot in.
By Eliza on April 16th, 2008 at 9:50 am
… the whole enterprise reminds me of when the world wasn’t red tape mad.
Perfectly put, Eliza. There’s too much small-minded nitpicking and enforced compliance with batty rules going on. This was a breath of fresh air, just like the old RAF used to be.
By John on April 16th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Duchess, if he’d had the chopper for the weekend, that would really have raised eyebrows.
By John on April 16th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Eliza/John sorry to disapoint you but there now is 62 comments on the DM article, some positive but a lot moaning about the cost of this flight to the taxpayer. It just goes to show that you cannot keep a good moaner down!
By Royalist on April 16th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
I guess it beats a training trip to nowhere and back, which is probably how most training flights go. In this case he had a good reason to go over London and over water.
I do get bored hearing the rank-and-file complain about the Royals costing taxpayers’ money. How much does the average complainer cost the taxpayer, versus what he or she puts in?
Millions of tourists, along with their money, flood Britain every year hoping to spot a Royal while also hoping to avoid the kind of naysayer who comments to the Daily Mail.
By Dan on April 16th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Most likely William never so mcuh as touched the controls.
Nice work if you can get it.
By kit on April 16th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
One question just occured to me: I once read that Will and Harry are not allowed to fly in the same plane. Isn’t it a little contradictory that they’d be allowed to fly in the same helicopter especially when William who doesn’t have a lot of experience was flying? And it’s not like it was some sort of “emergency” where they wouldn’t have another choice.
By Isana on April 16th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Isana, it is not Prince William and Prince Harry who cannot fly in the same plane, it is the Queen and Prince Charles and also Prince William, because the latter two are in the direct line of succession. Princess Diana, Prince William and Prince Harry flew together when they went on holiday when the boys were small–I recall seeing photos of them deplaning together.
Regarding the constant complaints about how anything the Royal Family does is too expensive and moaning about the poor taxpayer, I also am getting very tired of this. Shall we shine the same glaring spotlight on the taxpayer and see how useful he or she is, how well and carefully them manage their time, money and resources? These naysayers must be very unhappy people.
By Gigi on April 16th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Dan. spot on!
By John on April 16th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Oooh, I imagine he did, Kit. The military are hard task masters.
By John on April 16th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Isana, this has always been a moveable feast.
By John on April 16th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Gigi, much of this comes from a bunch of unemployable, anti-Monarchist Labour backbenchers — the “usual suspects”. The vast majority of people will admire William for his skills and enterprise.
By John on April 16th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
I am absolutely certain, Kit, that Prince William not only touched the controls, he piloted the Chinook over London and over the sea to the Isle of Wight. The RAF would not want the liability of certifying a pilot–however well-connected, however Royal–who could not be trusted to competently operate a plane or helicopter. Furthermore, I would not want to be the RAF Command officer who had to explain that error in procedure and military protocol to Prince Philip, the Duke of Windor, who famously threatened to quit the Royal Navy years ago if he discovered that he had been given any preferential treatment in his fitness reports or grades on exams. Prince Philip is adamant that he and his sons ’stand and deliver’ without exception in military life. It would be pure folly to cross the Duke of Edinburgh on this issue.
By Gigi on April 16th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Nice work if you can get it?
In my experience — certainly in my country — just about anybody willing to sign up is more than welcome. No need to be Royal to become a military pilot, or to serve the pilots on the ground, as Harry has done.
The humbugs sending e-mail complaints to the Daily Mail ought to remember that neither William nor Harry is forced to serve their country in any way other than being born. They choose to serve honorably, and under intense public scrutiny, rather than sit back and enjoy the pleasures of the palace.
In fact, they have chosen to serve their country in the military, in danger if necessary (or allowed) — which is more than can be said of the typical humbug commenting in the Daily Mail. Indeed, comment-makers with military backgrounds seem generally supportive.
That’s the thing about anti-monarchists–they aren’t objecting to the system, they just want to be in it, so they can be the lazy sots that William and Harry clearly are not.
By Dan on April 16th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Well said, Dan, thank you very much for posting that! I agree totally!
By Gigi on April 16th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
yes dan , well said. i cant imagine what living in a fishbowl would be like..damned if you do…damned if you dont..with every move you make being judged…regardless of what “privilege” they have..that was my concern with this whole thing..
By coni on April 16th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Yes, “privileges” are like pink Cadillacs — you can have too many of them and they become boring after a time.
By John on April 17th, 2008 at 8:22 am
We seem to have developed a society where conformity to the current political “faith” is the highest good. Non-conformity, which used to be an honourable tradition in England, is now regarded as utterly outrageous. How did we get to this?
By John on April 17th, 2008 at 8:26 am
Well said John but it is very interesting to read a post by the Press Association which quotes the MOD defends Prine Wiliam’s Chinook flight.as part of hiss RAF training.
Another more interesting post by the American ‘People’ that both Paris Hilton and Mariah Carey have ‘crushes’ on PW and PC-grab him quick Kate before you lose him to a US celebrity. The ’special relationship’ does not extend to having an American in the Royal Family, Mrs Wallis Simpson was ennough and she triggered an abdication. Seriously though I find these posts very funny-have you got any royal cruishes Gigi?
By Royalist on April 17th, 2008 at 8:46 am
Royalist, you know what they say, power is the greatest aphrodisiac of all, and if it comes with a crown, it’s irresistible.
By John on April 17th, 2008 at 8:53 am
For all of us Stateside, Good Morning America is doing a piece on this today.
By Sara on April 17th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Sara, please tell us what was said.
Incidentally, I’ve done a piece on this over at Syntagma. LINK
By John on April 17th, 2008 at 11:32 am
[...] William, the future King of England and 17 countries around the world, has just won his Wings and become a Flying Officer with the Royal Air Force [...]
By SYNTAGMA » Privileges, Chinooks and pink Cadillacs on April 17th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Nothing to much different than what the DM columnist has recently written. But they did have a great picture of his cousin with the doll.
By Sara on April 17th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
That was a fantastic article John, and I think it was spot on!
I especially liked it when you rightly pointed out that Prince William was actually helping to reduce the carbon footprint by combing his training exercise with traveling to his destination on the Isle of Wight.
By picking up Prince Harry, who as an active duty officer in the army is allowed to “jump seat” on any military aircraft flight, he even further reduced the carbon footprint because both of them were traveling to the same place in the same helicopter. And to further sweeten the pot, William was able to fulfill the requirements of landing and takeoff in London’s busy air traffic!
I think it was smart thinking on the part of Prince William.
By mapleleaf on April 17th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Thank you, Mapleleaf. It’s a pity the Daily Mail doesn’t seem to understand the principles involved. I’ve read three attacking articles from them in the last two days.
By John on April 17th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
I did like your article in Syntagma John it set the record straight, well said.
By Royalist on April 17th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
unfortunate the DM has chosen to blow this thing way out of
proportion
enjoyed the article john – good work…
By coni on April 17th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Hi John
I am just about to go and read your article. I’ve just read another article (by Stephen Glover) on the DM website and it was very doom and gloom. It pointed to the fact that our forces in Afganistan do not have enough Chinnooks out there only 10 out of the 48 in the fleet? Is this true??
I want some uplifting news from the royals. John I know you said that there was a window of opportunity in the summer for an announcement to be made, between which months should we start holding our breaths?
By Jackie Mccoy on April 17th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Jackie, William is apparently joining the Navy in June, so the window may only be a little over a month. But it’s a big enough window to make an announcement. I’ve no idea if that’s what is planned though. To my way of thinking it would be sensible.
Stephen Glover’s piece today, plus the editorial, are absolute tosh. I think my article is much more to the point.
By John on April 17th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
As a 60 year old woman married for 38 years to the love of my life, I do not have “crushes,” Royalist,
but I certainly have a deep sense of love and respect for many members of the Royal Family, both living and deceased. One of my personal heroes is Prince Albert, the Prince Consort, who was Queen Victoria’s most excellent husband. I also greatly loved and admired King George VI and his consort, Queen Elizabeth, who became the Queen Mother. I love and revere Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana and Prince William and Prince Harry. While not a member of the Royal Family, another of my personal heroes is Sir Winston Churchill, whose life and works have been my lifelong study and hobby. I should also add that I adore Britain and all things British.
By Gigi on April 17th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
As I recall royal engagements are fairly short. How long is Williams time in the Navy? Thought I had read somewhere that William had said he didnt want to marry until he was 28yrs-ish. That would make for a long engagement…who knows…they may break with tradition and play this differently…
By coni on April 17th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Coni, the expectation is that a wedding may well take place next year. Most people regard them as engaged already. It would allow greater protection of Kate if the announcement were made sooner rather than later. Waiting until Christmas or early spring would just confine Kate to hiding away from the press until she’s confirmed by the Palace.
It’s not really necessary.
By John on April 17th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
john..you’re right the announcement is just a formality..and didnt think of the whole protection deal..
thanks for clearing up….
By coni on April 17th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
True, John, plus those of us who have been holding our breath for lo, these many moons, are beginning to look quite peculiar!
I am not certain that Prince William and Kate are actually engaged in the true sense of the word, but I feel sure that they are “promised” and have an understanding that they will marry, in the old-fashioned terminology. I eagerly await the official announcement, the betrothal photograph and the engagement ring! 
By Gigi on April 17th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Gigi, I think the pictures from Cranwell on Friday said it all.
By John on April 17th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Just to keep you informed I found a report in The London Paper — which says that Kate took her parents and Pippa for dinner at the Cocoon restaurant and then on to Boujis. The photo that accompanied the report was of Kate and she looked devastating, with her hair done up rather than how it usually is.
Gigi, I have a mad keen crush on Kate following my lifetime crush on Audrey Hepburn and I am 69!
By Royalist on April 17th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Yes, seems like the entire Middleton clan went out a few nights ago. Perhaps they were celebrating something as they usually get together during birthdays and all. More pictures:
Middleton Family leaving Boujis
I actually kinda like how Kate did her hair! Messy and stylish at the same time!
By frands on April 17th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Well, Royalist, I would say that you have excellent taste!
By Gigi on April 17th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
I think she always looks great — poised, full of fun and life, and not like an imperiled deer in the headlights. I hope these qualities carry her through the course and prevail, whatever the course may be.
By Dan on April 17th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
A beautiful sentiment, Dan! I second it!
By Gigi on April 17th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
think william is carefully guiding her through it all..am sure he doesnt want to same situation that happened with diana where she was left to sort through it all herself…
the middletons sure look like they know how to have a good time! good for them!
By coni on April 17th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
I am pleased that the Middletons seem to be a close-knit family, which, if true, is no doubt where Kate got her emotional grounding and self-confidence. Princess Diana did not have those advantages and I believe that the lack of a close-knit family gave her no safety net when she was trying to navigate the labyrinth of Royal life and palace intrigue.
By Gigi on April 17th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
I have also read that William wants to wait until he is 28 at least for marriage. However, if he has found his one true love, then he should consider Kate’s feelings and her safety. Would you think Prince Philip’s health would do anything to change the timing? I hope that they do announce sooner than later. It would stop all of the speculation of will he, won’t he? It would also allow her security while he is gone out to sea. On a side note, does anyone know who the godparents are for Edward and Sophie’s son?
By kat on April 18th, 2008 at 2:40 am
To the best of my recollection, the Godparents for Viscount Severn have not as yet been announced, but will surely be published in the accounts of the christening, if not before. Has anyone seen this information announced>
By Gigi on April 18th, 2008 at 3:33 am
Viscount Severn’s christening will be Saturday, April 19, at Windsor. He’ll be the first Royal to wear the reproduction christening gown, commissioned by the Queen. The gown is patterned after the heirloom that Queen Victoria had made for her daughter.
I’ve not heard a time or godparents.
By Evelyn on April 18th, 2008 at 4:32 am
I am very interested to see if the reproduction christening gown is of Duchess satin and Honiton lace, as was the original gown made for Queen Victoria’s first child, Princess Victoria Adelaide Mary Louisa. It is interesting that Queen Victoria adored Honiton lace, and also used it for her wedding gown when she wed Prince Albert. Honiton lace was rare and costly in 1840 and it is even more rare and costly now since the lace guilds and lace making schools that once were so industrious in Flanders, Belguim, France and the Netherlands are either greatly reduced or gone. I am glad that the exquisite antique christening gown is being preserved, however, and I hope the new gown is as exact a replica as possible.
By Gigi on April 18th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Honiton is just down the road from us, Gigi, and I’d never heard of Honiton lace. Typical man.
By John on April 18th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
By Gigi on April 18th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Thank you for the information, Gigi. I can now hold my head up when driving through the charming town of Honiton.
By John on April 18th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
John, have you ever admired the lace on display in a Victoria’s Secret catalog?
By Arthur on April 18th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
LOL! Fie! Arthur! We are talking about real lace, antique lace, incredibly intricate work, labor-intensively hand made in the 1600s, 1700s and early 1800s, by women with skills that are no longer practiced or known to modern society.
By Gigi on April 19th, 2008 at 1:44 am
I read that these people will be Viscount Severn’s godparents:
Viscount Severn’s godparents will be Denise Poulton, Jeanye Irwin, Alastair Bruce, Duncan Bullivant and Tom Hill. I did not recognize any of the names.
By kat on April 19th, 2008 at 3:29 am
Thank you for the information, Kat! I confess that I do not recognize any of the names, either. John, can you enlighten us?
By Gigi on April 19th, 2008 at 3:46 am
Searching the internet, an Alastair Bruce is a baron.
By Evelyn on April 19th, 2008 at 3:55 am
It’s a pity James Viscount Severn will not be baptised in Queen Victoria’s christening dress. He will be the only one of the Queen’s direct decendants not baptised in the same dress as the Queen, her children and her seven other grandchildren. I’m sure one more wearing would not cause Queen Victoria’s dress to fall apart. Use of the replica could begin with the Queen’s great-grandchildren.
If I were Prince Edward, I’d be feeling a little paranoid right about now. First, Edward was not created a Duke on his wedding day, like his brother Andrew. Second, Edward’s children are not styled HRH Prince or HRH Princess, like their first cousins William, Harry, Beatrice and Eugenie. Now, Edward’s son, James, must wear a knockoff of Queen Victoria’s christening dress, even though the rest of the family wore the original. Doesn’t sound very fair to me.
By Arthur on April 19th, 2008 at 6:56 am
Arthur, I know of a TV programme called Victoria’s Secret, starring (if that’s the right word) Posh Spice. Naturally, I didn’t watch it.
As for Edward’s title, it’s only a holding one until he inherits the Royal Dukedom of Edinburgh from his father. The decision that his children should not be Royal (i.e HRHs) was Edward and Sophie’s.
I understand the original Christening robe is in a very poor state of repair and an outing wrapped around a vigorous 4-month-old boy might see it off for good. Hence the Queen’s decision to have a perfect replica made.
By John on April 19th, 2008 at 8:08 am
Gigi, the Godparents mentioned are friends of Edward and Sophie, and not much in the public eye, except for the occasional mention in Tatler or PR Weekly.
By John on April 19th, 2008 at 8:09 am
Thank you, John. As for Edward feeling ill-used, I doubt it. He is known to be the Queen and Prince Philips’ favorite child and was doted upon by them to a far greater extent than Charles, Anne or Andrew. It is a very significant favor that the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have chosen to bestow the Duke of Edinburgh title upon Prince Edward, and I doubt that he minds waiting for it. It is far more illustrious than others he might have been given, since Kent and Gloucester are still held by others and York has long been the province of the second son of the reigning sovereign. Look at the photograph of little Viscount Severn, gloriously garbed in the new christening gown, in the BBC. The gown looks splendid, richly adorned in lace, and seems quite indistinguishable from the Victorian era christening gown. When the Queen commissions an exact replica, I feel certain we may trust that she indeed received an exact replica!
By Gigi on April 19th, 2008 at 8:53 pm