Duties, Roles and Royal Training of the Princes

[Osipi]

Hear, hear! The Wales brothers were criticized for falling drunk out of nightclubs. Fair enough. Now they're both actively serving their countries, and they're still being raked over the coals for not doing enough. I say let these young men do "normal" work and some royal duties until their father ascends the throne.

The combat wombat is in service.. for a while.

 

[Helen Anna]

I remember seeing pictures and hearing he was working in a bank, i'll try and find the information.

Prince William arriving at HSBC

BBC : HSBC work experience for Prince

 

[rmay286]

I really don't understand what exactly you expect of them? Charles digs in the dirt and talks to plants. Does that mean he has more substance?...

It's funny, I don't agree with most of Charles' views, yet I think he does have substance and I admire him for that. I think Prince Charles is truly knowledgeable about architecture, organic gardening, and the environment, and I think he really puts a lot of passion into trying to improve these areas of life. I respect him for this, despite actually not agreeing with his stance on a lot of issues.

I don't see that William is developing the same kind of substance. Spending a night on the streets gives him a window into the world of the homeless, but unless he also devoted his life to researching the problem and coming up with ways to help, it really doesn't mean very much. There is no comparing Charles' lifelong dedication to certain issues, and William spending one night on the streets.

 

[Mermaid1962]

We mustn't forget, though, that Prince Charles is will be 62 years old soon. William is only 28. Prince Charles became Prince of Wales at 20 and started his first major charity at the age of 28 as The Prince of Wales, not as the Queen's grandson. He spent his early years much as Prince William is doing. He took a degree and spent five years in training in various branches of the Forces. So really, his early life in Royal circles wasn't that different from William's except that he was the monarch's first born.

Personally, I think that William has shown promise. In some ways, he actually appears to be a steadier character than his father was at the same age.

There is no comparing Charles' lifelong dedication to certain issues, and William spending one night on the streets.

 

[texankitcat]

We mustn't forget, though, that Prince Charles is will be 62 years old soon. William is only 28. Prince Charles became Prince of Wales at 20 and started his first major charity at the age of 28 as The Prince of Wales, not as the Queen's grandson. He spent his early years much as Prince William is doing. He took a degree and spent five years in training in various branches of the Forces. So really, his early life in Royal circles wasn't that different from William's except that he was the monarch's first born.

Personally, I think that William has shown promise. In some ways, he actually appears to be a steadier character than his father was at the same age.

I completely agree. I don't know how you can compare the two since Prince Charles IS the Prince of Wales and doesn't have a career outside of those that encompass his formal duties as such. Prince William has a military career. He cannot pursue on a full time basis any other duties until such time that he is released or retires from his military service. I really don't understand what more people expect from him at this point in his life.

Despite his military responsibilities he has an impressive resume' of Charities he and Prince Harry support. He seems quite passionate about those causes that are important to him. I see a lot of substance in both boys, and I see them both bmoving the Monarchy in a more modern direction in the future.

 

[wbenson]

Royal wedding: the making of a modern prince - Telegraph

Political influence may elude him, says Christopher Wilson, but William already has an eye on making his future reign relevant and important.

 

[KittyAtlanta]

And you know this how?

I sort of agree with Marmalade. I just saw a documentary last night re: charities of William and Harry (part of the series "Royal Family at Work") and it appeared that the princes visited their causes, all they did was sit around and talk.

Now I'm not going to hold that against them, as they were a couple years younger than now.

As for education, I always wonder if there is any university out there who would flunk a royal student...somehow I don't think so. As for Sandringham, the way they grade for passing out is a tad different -- if enough people meet the grade in a class, they will all pass.

I also watched a video of William's first rescue flight, but it turned out to be an offshore drilling site in the crosshairs, then breaking to a landing helicopter with two guys getting off who were indistinguishable.

I'll give them til they're 40 to do something.

 

[Josefine]

how large will willian and kates household be not butlers and so on but staff who coordinates the official engagements

Marshal of the Court, secretary. mentor

 

[muriel]

how large will willian and kates household be not butlers and so on but staff who coordinates the official engagements

Marshal of the Court, secretary. mentor

They already have an "office" at St James' Palace that currently works for William and Harry, and no doubt has been expanded to cover Catherine's work as well. I think it is 2-3 people only.

 

[KittyAtlanta]

Hope this is the right place. I have a question about Prince Harry's pilot qualifications. It has been said that he did not do well in school. A person has to be good at math to become a pilot (I'm speaking from experience). Anyone know if he was really good at math?

 

[Iluvbertie]

Hope this is the right place. I have a question about Prince Harry's pilot qualifications. It has been said that he did not do well in school. A person has to be good at math to become a pilot (I'm speaking from experience). Anyone know if he was really good at math?

He only studied Maths until the GCSE's but did well in it there.

For the A Levels he did Art and Geography.

Based on the fact that he didn't continue he probably was all right in the subject but didn't really enjoy it however...when necessary is able to apply the concepts in real situations.

 

[KittyAtlanta]

Thanks, Bertie.

 

[jemagre]

He only studied Maths until the GCSE's but did well in it there.

For the A Levels he did Art and Geography.

Based on the fact that he didn't continue he probably was all right in the subject but didn't really enjoy it however...when necessary is able to apply the concepts in real situations.

Good points. I also think that there was an interest to do well in the subject so he would pass his flight school. If one wants something bad enough that person tends to work harder to get it.

 

[Duke]

Where can I find photos of Prince William as Colonel of the Irish Guards?

 

[Iluvbertie]

Where can I find photos of Prince William as Colonel of the Irish Guards?

Has he actually ever worn that uniform yet?

 

[Royal_Eagle]

Where can I find photos of Prince William as Colonel of the Irish Guards?

I don't think he has worn it yet. I suspect he'll be wearing it along with the bearskin hat and riding during the Trooping of the Colours (along with his Dad and Aunt Anne--does Prince Andrew ride and participate in the Trooping of the Colours?) this June.

 

[Iluvbertie]

I don't think he has worn it yet. I suspect he'll be wearing it along with the bearskin hat and riding during the Trooping of the Colours (along with his Dad and Aunt Anne--does Prince Andrew ride and participate in the Trooping of the Colours?) this June.

I am not sure if he will wear it considering that he is a serving officer with lower rank.

What would happen on the day if he came across say a Major in the Air Force who would have to salute him in the uniform of a Colonel and then a couple of days later William is at the RAF base and that same Major turns up?

Prince Andrew usually attends but he usually rides in a carriage with his daughters.

 

[wbenson]

It didn't seem to be a problem in 1975 when Charles first rode at Trooping the Colour, which happened while he was still serving in the Royal Navy. He was actually a colonel-in-chief of one regiment (the Royal Regiment of Wales) before he started his armed forces career.

 

[ghost_night554]

Royal Wedding: Prince William is Kate Middleton's action man in uniform | Mail Online

 

[Josefine]

as william works and maybe will do samall numbers of royal events what will kate do, will she take on her own duties or will she have a princess school.
is it even possible that she will stay home and not take on royal duties until william quit his work and be full time working royal

what has been said

 

[Russophile]

Hi,

I agreed with you. It make me thinking about some thing for my project.

Pls try to keep posting. Tks and best regards

Beatrix Fan has taken a leave of absense from TRF though I hope Beatrix Fan does return. You can find him here:
Getting Royal with the Dame: Wedding Watch: Confirmed Guests!

 

[KittyAtlanta]

I miss him too. Coooooweeeeeeee....BeatrixFan: HI if you're out there!

Look! Look! I made "Serene Highness." Time to get my attitude in gear!

 

[Catherine J]

"Whatever William does, he will be critisized for wasting taxpayers money."

Yes.

And whatever is does/is doing is not haphazard. One presumes that it has been considered and discussed to the nth degree by the members of the RF and their advisers.

Charles is to be King. Then William. I expect the course of his actions are based upon equal measures of his own personal interest/happiness, his hereditary duty, the PR considerations of Charles' popularity and his own media exposure.

For my own opinion, for what it's worth, is that he's following a plan and doing it well.

 

[Rocketmom]

Royal Family's Military Duties

I hope I'm not in violation of protocol....this is just my second post and I looked to see if my question was addressed elsewhere. As a U.S. citizen I am very curious about how military service in England is different from the U.S. First of all, let me say how much I respect and admire each and every member of the Royal Family for its military service. In the U.S. it is very much a full time job with perhaps 30 days leave (vacation) a year, unless you are a member of the National Guard which is sometimes called (rather derisively) weekend warriors. It seems that William and Harry have much more time off. Is this because they are royal and expected to perform royal duties in their "down" time? They seem to have a significant time off for vacations. Are their careers considered to be full time? Or are they like our National Guard?

Thanks for being patient with a "newbie".

 

[Lumutqueen]

Might want to read through this thread;
http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/f269/prince-williams-service-in-the-royal-air-force-18482.html

As for the time off thing, they don't have more than any other service men. When attending royal events such as in connection with the Jubilee last year or the wedding last year they have to request time off and use their holiday "allowance". I think it seems that they're off all the time because that's the only time the press take pictures. William and Harry are full time members of the forces, not part-timers.

 

[KittyAtlanta]

They do get the standard six weeks' leave, just like anyone else. However, don't the warrior Princes get "special dispensation" at the request of the Queen?

 

[cepe]

This is a quote from the army site:

The Regular Army offers 38 days of paid leave each year – this is much more than many civilian employers and reflects the fact that you might have to work on some Bank Holidays. When you’re on operations you’ll be flown back to the UK for two weeks’ leave mid-tour, and get more leave when your tour ends. None of this comes from your annual allowance. The Army also has very good maternity and paternity leave arrangements.

I haven't investigated the Navy and the RAF but I'm sure the same sort of rules apply. Other changes would occur when on active service, i.e. Afghanistan,

Web site page is: Time off - British Army Website

When based at home, I don't believe that the military are on duty 24/7 either. Another quote from the Army site

Every Army job is different, but when they’re not on a training exercise or operations, most soldiers work nine-to-five, Monday to Friday. What happens after that is up to you. You can socialise with your mates, use the free sports facilities on the base or visit the surrounding area. And if it’s the weekend, you can go home to see your family and other friends.

Obviously Prince William works specific shifts as SAR pilot.

When asked by the Head of the Armed Forces (HM) to travel abroad on her behalf, I'm sure special arrangements are made.

 

[tommy100]

Without going into too much detail I can say that William will work shifts and in such a way that he will get longer time off (3/4days) quite regularly. My brother is a Search and rescue pilot in the RAF and typically works on base for several days, then on call where he had to be near bases but not on it for several days then is officially on time off when he can do as he please for 4 or so days. This I would imagine works in William's favour allowing him time to carry out public duties.
I have no clue how Harry works but I thought i read somewhere that he had to ask for special time off to go to Brazil and Jamaica. However from my experiences people in the armed forces can get time off to go on expeditions or adventure training type things which the military feel might boost their skills so Harry probably doesn't get a vast amount more time off then the regular army pilot.

 

[EIIR]

Some of the time William and Harry are using their own holiday leave to fulfil engagements - I seem to remember when William went to Australia not long after he got engaged to meet with people affected by the cyclones and floods etc. he was using his own leave on that occasion.

Whereas I believe that Harry got 'special leave' for his recent tour of the Caribbean and South America.

On the whole, both William and Harry are full time service personnel. William, for example, works 12 hour shifts as part of his role. More generally, for example if (as expected) Harry goes back to Afghanistan later this year, he will do a shorter tour than the American service people. The typical UK tour is 6 months, in the US it's 12. This has been cited as one of the reasons that rates of PTSD are lower among UK than US forces.

 

[Rocketmom]

Thanks to all for the prompt replies. It absolutely makes sense that if they work longer shifts for several days at a time, they they might have off several days following the shift. Our firefighters in the U.S. frequently work that sort of shift....24 hours on duty at the fire station for several days, then several days off.