That is an absolutely fascinating description of Prince Andrew, Rmay286. The language of business production applied to a prince: he is a "net asset" rather than a "net loss." His initial "capital" includes a less than stellar intellect, but fortunately he's in a good mood often enough!
I love the phrase "pointed in the right direction." I wonder if the former diplomate realize how much like a child this makes the Prince sound? Of course, they are dealing with complex issues, and the "pointing" probably means "brief thoroughly as to the interests he's supposed to support."
His father has a temper? Really? Well, everyone I know gets irritable when they are tired.
Oddly, it sounds as if many people I meet these days believe they deserve the same "careful handling," as if they are a royal. Sounds as if, being a real royal and not an ersatz royal, he is indeed an asset in those nations where culture dictates that royalty is still respect, in and of itself.
There's no one else who can do what he has been doing, unless they were to stick one of the next generation into those roles, and frankly, I can't imagine that happening yet (and Prince Andrew can fly under the press radar in some ways that the younger royals cannot).
