Prince William scores in Barbados
Just coming in over the wires :
Prince William’s ship HMS Iron Duke has intercepted a reported £40m ($80m) consignment of cocaine during its anti-drug-smuggling patrols in the Atlantic near Barbados.
In a joint-operation with the U.S. Coastguard, the frigate caught an ocean-going speedboat presumed bound for Europe or West Africa. It’s known that the Navy wants William to play a full part in these operations.
Kate Middleton will be pleased to hear her boyfriend is in the thick of things.
The British Commanding Officer Mark Newland said, “This is a fantastic start to HMS Iron Duke’s North Atlantic deployment. To have had a direct impact on the flow of cocaine into Europe just four days after we arrived in theatre shows the benefit the Royal Navy can have in the area of maritime security and counter drug operations. From the first moment the Lynx helicopter discovered the suspect vessel, my ship’s company, working hand in glove with our U.S. Coast Guard colleagues, turned this opportunity into a certainty and ultimately a successful seizure.”
Interesting that the latest figures show £40m is the annual cost of the Monarchy. Clearly, the Prince is doing his bit to pay that off.
£100 cocktails all round at Boujis tonight.
Congrats to Prince William!
It’s amazing to see his transformation from a lil’ boy to a man taking on such duties - and taking them on so well!
I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him - and his Catherine.
By Anne on July 2nd, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Lets get real and give credit where credit is due. William is on the ship with hundreds of other sailors the papers are making it sound like William alone did this. I think the Coast Guard and the Lynx helicopter pilot and crew deserve to share in the credit as well.
By Trudie on July 2nd, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Sorry. I never said that they didn’t and know full well that they do. I only said that because I’m a little nostalgic. I remember when he was born and I know that he catches flack for a lot of stuff. Just nice to see him doing something productive. By no means do I think that he’s the end all, be all. Please give me some credit.
By Anne on July 2nd, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Everyone knows this is a joint effort involving a lot of people, and that it was the Coastguard that boarded the speedboat, not William singlehanded.
But he’s there at the sharp-end of the fight against drug trafficking. If nothing else, it will show him the sometimes thankless tasks the Royal Navy has to do. He will be more balanced and understanding in his views because of it, and probably less inclined to try drugs himself.
By John on July 2nd, 2008 at 2:47 pm
John at the age of 26 if William has tried drugs it would have been picked up. The fact that he most probably hasn’t by now means he probably never will. That is not to say the people around him don’t think Pelly and Tom Parker-Bowles. I think given his position he is smart enough to stay away.
I think when he starts his duties next year it would be a great idea if this was an area of focus to keep kids away from drugs and a message from someone as young as William will certainly send the message it is not cool.
By Trudie on July 2nd, 2008 at 3:20 pm
John,
Do you think it’s possible the Queen will give William a title before he gets married? We’re assuming there will be a wedding next summer. But what if William and Kate decide on a fall wedding? I think it makes sense to give him his title at the same time he gets his own office and staff.
By lizzy on July 2nd, 2008 at 3:36 pm
It’s not the normal procedure, Lizzy, and the Queen is a stickler for tradition.
By John on July 2nd, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Has anyone else noticed that if Kate goes by Catherine, their combined initials are WC? Is that acronym still in use?
By Merriam on July 2nd, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Is that meant to be meaningful, Merriam?
By John on July 2nd, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Re a wedding venue: My money is on St. George’s Chapel. I know some of you have said it may not be big enough, but I don’t think Prince William wants a huge wedding like his parents had. Of course, any wedding he has will be a big event regardless of where it’s held.
By Lizzy on July 2nd, 2008 at 6:16 pm
I don’t know Lizzy, I think William will be having a big wedding regardless of if he wants one or not. Royal weddings, especially of someone so close to the throne, are more for the country that for the bride and groom. There is a long list of people that will have to be invited and St. George’s just isn’t big enough to hold them all.
By Ash on July 2nd, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Ash,
Do you know of any other venues they could use besides St. Paul’s, Westminster, or St. George’s?
By Lizzy on July 2nd, 2008 at 7:14 pm
dont think it matters what william wants with regards to his wedding - read somewhere that he “belongs to the crown” and there are certain things that are just out of this control..john do you have an insight on this?? also, once kate and william are married will that mean that she will no longer be spending holidays with her family? would they divide their time between families like other married couples do??
By coni on July 2nd, 2008 at 8:56 pm
My understanding is that the Royal Family is together for Christmas Day at Sandringham; people do not have the option of spending that holiday with the in-laws. Military service and health concerns seem to be the exceptions to that rule. This year, Charles & Camilla left on Boxing Day, perhaps setting a precedent for William & Catherine.
Easter does not have such a requirement; Charles, William, and Catherine were in the Alps this year.
It sounds like the August holidays at Balmoral are not required, though many do seem to head that direction for part of the month.
By Evelyn on July 2nd, 2008 at 9:43 pm
The Telegraph’s article on the HMS Iron Duke’s interception has more info on Prince William’s role in the operation. His commanding officer is quite pleased with the Prince’s performance.
By Evelyn on July 2nd, 2008 at 9:51 pm
coni,
I would hope that isn’t true. Of course Prince William cannot just do whatever pleases him without regard for the monarchy or his country. However, I’d like to think he and Catherine would have some say in their own wedding.
By lizzy on July 2nd, 2008 at 11:56 pm
One compromise could be:
1. wedding in London (Westminster or St Paul’s)
2. wedding luncheon at Buckingham Palace for close family and others who must be invited to the State event
3. transport to Frogmore (carriage ride might not work for security reasons; helicopter?)
4. late afternoon reception for family and friends
5. evening wedding dance for friends of the couple
That would be a very long day for Prince William & Catherine. Given that Diana felt she couldn’t invite everyone to the wedding, it would give W&C more opportunities to invite and celebrate with their own friends.
By Evelyn on July 3rd, 2008 at 4:39 am
Getting back to Prince William, the DM (Rebecca English) is reporting that Prince William was one of a small crew on the Lynx helicopter that made the drug bust.
The commanding officer said, “Sub-Lt Wales was an integral part of the team and as an Army officer trained in surveillance, added real value to it. This was a major operation– we don’t take people along for joy rides. The conditions out here are pretty unstable, it’s the start of the hurricane season and it’s been raining heavily with gusts of winds at up to 40 knots. Believe me, it’s not the Channel. That said, Sub-Lt Wales has proved to be a very good sailor with no hint of sea-sickness yet.”
I think it was the Telegraph that said that Prince William was also actively involved in planning the operation. It does sound like he is doing real work.
By Evelyn on July 3rd, 2008 at 5:13 am
Coni, there is no actual requirement to spend holidays, or even Christmas Day, with the Queen, but such is the respect in which she is held that everyone does their utmost to be there.
Most are rather busy though, so some leave early. Others are on military service or some other duties. 2007 was a poor turnout at Sandringham, especially after Boxing Day.
Kate would be able to spend holidays with her family, but security concerns would probably mean it would be kept to a minimum. Being a Royal does entail duty, both to the Monarchy and the Royal Family. Obviously, if someone finds that hard to subscribe to, they shouldn’t marry into it.
By John on July 3rd, 2008 at 11:20 am
Evelyn, I think transporting all the guests from Buckingham Palace to Windsor would be a nightmare and would add considerably to the cost, which the Queen always keeps a careful eye on.
In terms of William’s involvement on Iron Duke, he is a trained helicopter pilot, albeit not fully fledged, so it would make sense to put his skills to use. Those who automatically assume he will be kept in cotton wool, simply don’t know the British Armed Forces.
By John on July 3rd, 2008 at 11:25 am
To go with all the lousy articles that seemed to crop up with the recent disclosure of the Royal Family’s income, this Telegraph article is pretty well written discussing how Prince Charles is actually a good businessman and does give back more than the typical politician.
LINK
By the way, what is an MP and their role?
By American Cousin on July 3rd, 2008 at 2:33 pm
John,
We often talk about William and Kate, but what is your view of Harry and Chelsy Davy? I don’t know what it is but I can’t see them being a long term couple.
By lizzy on July 3rd, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Lizzy, I’m just putting up a piece on Harry and Chelsy.
By John on July 3rd, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Hello magazine is reporting that William will receive a medal from the US coast guard for his involvement in the drug raid.
They write: “Sub-Lieutenant Wales, as he is known in the naval force, will be presented a Joint Services Achievement Medal by the US Coast Guard for his actions during this week’s £40 million Caribbean drug bust.”
By Isana on July 6th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Heroic that is indeed! Whilst some may note the irony of the Bouji Prince “busting” the cocaine dealers, I for one know that our William is as clean as laundry dried on the line in springtime, and that he is not one to partake of the evil inflictions of many of the Bouji -ites. As many here know, I persnally find that Wills is a sweet and sincere young man, and all here, please note his ruddy good health!
God bless the young lad, in his earnest endeavors — and Godspeed to him!
Would feel so much better to know he was in Bucklebury right about now, having a nice cuppa chili with his future Mum-in-law, but I will continueto pray for his protection and grace!
God save the Queen!
By alsgal on July 14th, 2008 at 11:49 pm