Prince Harry Leaving the Army (June 2015): What will he do now?

[muriel]

Originally Posted by royal rob

I think there's a plan that we don't know about. Both William and Harry have to be ready to step up at any time. Anyway we shall see


Sent from my iPhone using The Royals Community

I agree, there is probably a plan in place, and it has not been communicated just yet.

[Osipi]

Originally Posted by muriel

I agree, there is probably a plan in place, and it has not been communicated just yet.

There are probably many avenues that Harry needs to take time and explore and decide just where to concentrate his efforts. It may take him some time to decide exactly where he wants to be and what he wants to concentrate on doing. Perhaps its wiser to take the time now to make the decision rather than just jump into something in haste.

He's already got a tour on the books as after he finishes his secondment in Australia, he'll be doing a royal tour of New Zealand. Personally, I think its great that both Harry and William are not only doing royal duties but also getting into public service.

[CyrilVladisla]

Originally Posted by Queen Camilla

No wife. No job. Still living on royal handouts. MICHAEL THORNTON, a huge admirer, explains why the LAST thing Harry needs is ANOTHER gap year | Daily Mail Online

Following in William's footsteps. A gap year or two...

I like the referral that Harry is a justly popular and likeable young Jack the Lad. This is the first time I have heard this referral.
Would Henry be able to take a leave of absence from Australia for Prince George's birthday and then fly back to Australia?

[Roslyn]

Originally Posted by CyrilVladisla

Would Henry be able to take a leave of absence from Australia for Prince George's birthday and then fly back to Australia?

That's a good one!

Though maybe you weren't joking. Do you realise how far away we are from England and how long it takes to fly there?

[soapstar]

Originally Posted by CyrilVladisla

I like the referral that Harry is a justly popular and likeable young Jack the Lad. This is the first time I have heard this referral.
Would Henry be able to take a leave of absence from Australia for Prince George's birthday and then fly back to Australia?

Harry will be in Africa in July, so he would be flying from there. He'll be in Australia from April - May.

But even if he were in Australia during that time, I don't think the distance would hinder him going back to London for George's birthday (or any other personal reason). I mean, he'll be flying to Turkey during his stay in Australia and that's a pretty long distance.

[Roslyn]

Originally Posted by soapstar

But even if he were in Australia during that time, I don't think the distance would hinder him going back to London for George's birthday (or any other personal reason). I mean, he'll be flying to Turkey during his stay in Australia and that's a pretty long distance.

The Gallipoli trip is an official duty though. If he is transferred somewhere overseas for work purposes - somewhere so far away it takes about 24 hours to fly there one way - for only a few weeks, I would like to think that the only personal reason he would fly home would be something important such as the death of a close relative, not the birthday of a two year old child.

[soapstar]

People have different priorities though. His nephew's birthday may be something that is important to him. But since he won't be in Australia during George's birthday, we'll never really know what he would have done.

[MARG]

I can imagine Harry would go down well at George's birthday party but realistically, he is not going to waste an awful lot of time and money flying across the world and back to spend a couple of hours with a kid blowing bubbles regardless of how cute he is.

I understand the children's birthdays are a big deal these days and I cannot, for the life of me, understand how people expend thousands of dollars on these "birthday parties" that are just a big "have" or playgroup "one-upmanship".

[AfricanAUSSIE]

Originally Posted by Iluvbertie

As he is leaving the army in June why is the army even bothering - this is a waste of the taxpayers money both here and in the UK. This secondment should be going to someone who will actually be able to use the experience not to someone who will barely have time to write a report on their experience before they are out of the army.

My thoughts exactly!!!!

Originally Posted by royal rob

I think there's a plan that we don't know about. Both William and Harry have to be ready to step up at any time. Anyway we shall see


Sent from my iPhone using The Royals Community

You are sweet RR. The only way this is palatable to me is if it means Henry is getting ready to marry Chelsy.

No wait, No! The secondment should be an opportunity for someone else who is deserving of it and will actually use it!

[Osipi]

As far as George's 2nd birthday is concerned, I would think it would be more plausible that Harry would use the second best thing to being there... video chat via Skype or such. I don't see him flying back to the UK for the occasion though.

[PetticoatLane]

I knew the knives would come out for Harry when he took the decision to leave the Army and take some time deciding what he wants to do next, but I genuinely did not think it would start literally the day after the announcement was made.

This is an interesting example of how little we really know about the royals and their intentions. I've read multiple times on this board that Harry would obviously be a career soldier, spend a good 20-25 years in service much like his uncle Andrew. Goes to show that we know pretty much nothing.

[Roslyn]

People who leave a career usually have a fair idea what they intend to do next at the time they give notice to their employer. Harry has had plenty of time to think about what he's going to do next; he doesn't - or shouldn't - need to take a gap year or half year or any other special period to allow him to do so. And neither did his brother. Unless they are both so dim they can't think about more than one thing at once, and, though neither of them gives any indication of being Mensa material, they are obviously of at least average intelligence and should both have been able to work out what they wanted to do next with their lives while still engaged in their previous jobs. That's what most people do.

These two men are not, however, "most people"; they are filthy rich and privileged and can take long breaks to pfaff around indulging their whims while they decide what to do next with their lives. If that's what Harry's doing, he doesn't deserve to be criticised for it, but neither does he deserve any particular credit for it, nor any indulgence or excuses made for him; he is merely exercising one of the perks of his position.

As for people expecting him to have made a career of the army, we have been led to believe that was what he wanted and was planning on doing so we can be forgiven for believing that would in fact be the case. I find it somewhat surprising that it hadn't apparently occurred to him before now that his time doing the things he liked about the armed forces - the adventure stuff - would have a shelf life and that his career would have to take a turn towards more sedate things he might not have either a talent or desire for. I would have thought he would have had a long-term plan for his future.

[MARG]

Originally Posted by Dman

I happen to think Harry is trying to create a stable and calm life for himself, so he can find a nice girlfriend to form a relationship with.

I reject the idea that Harry will skip over royal duties. He really have no choice but to step up his official duties, once he's no longer active in the military.

Erm, William didn't. After months of no show we were told he was joining EAAA after he had completed the requisite training and passed. I assume he either has done so or almost nearly done so. Either way, he didn't significantly increase his royal duties.

I believe that Harry's job prospects in the Army had changed for many reasons, not least politically. However, as a great surprise to everyone who thought he needed to take off his shoes to count past 10, Harry's crowning achievements thus far have been proving isn't dumb by qualifying to fly an Apache, and surprising everyone with his ongoing commitment to military veterans culminating in the inception and the great success of the Invictus Games.

I believe the answer to Harry's reasons for leaving the Army lie in these achievements. Even as a serving member, Harry's commitment to UK veterans IMO, started him on a road he had never considered. He has Sentable and that is admirable. It is also an "expected" type of royal patronage. But finding such an incredible need in his own country in the rehabilitation of Veterans seems to have given him a real sense of purpose.

The Invictus Games, while under the 'The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry and the Ministry of Defence' umbrella, relied on Harry's personal commitment and Charisma to get off the ground.

I wonder how much these two very diverse needs have inspired him to step out of the expected "groove" he was in and decide to leave the Army. I don't expect him to be in our faces from the moment he leaves the Army, after all, neither was his father while he built The Princes Trust into just one of The Princes Charities.

Unlike many, I don't expect to see a lot of him initially as whatever he does, he has got to get started and he can't do that while "performing" for us. I don't expect him to become "Holiday Harry", nor do I expect him to punch a time clock. I don't expect him to fail!

I look forward to seeing what he is going to become.

[Roslyn]

Originally Posted by MARG

I believe the answer to Harry's reasons for leaving the Army lie in these achievements. Even as a serving member, Harry's commitment to UK veterans IMO, started him on a road he had never considered. He has Sentable and that is admirable. It is also an "expected" type of royal patronage. But finding such an incredible need in his own country in the rehabilitation of Veterans seems to have given him a real sense of purpose.

Yep. I don't really believe he had no plans when he resigned; I am sure he has been mulling it over and planning the direction he would move toward in his life. At some stage he would have realised there was a limit to how far he could progress in the army. But his service has given him an impressive range of skills, including leadership and organisational skills, and he has shown personal initiative and a sense of purpose and dedication by his involvement with Sentable and the Invictus Games and Walking for the Wounded. He is a hands-on type, and has immense charisma and has enormous potential to do great things.

[anbrida]

Originally Posted by Roslyn

People who leave a career usually have a fair idea what they intend to do next at the time they give notice to their employer. Harry has had plenty of time to think about what he's going to do next; he doesn't - or shouldn't - need to take a gap year or half year or any other special period to allow him to do so. And neither did his brother. Unless they are both so dim they can't think about more than one thing at once, and, though neither of them gives any indication of being Mensa material, they are obviously of at least average intelligence and should both have been able to work out what they wanted to do next with their lives while still engaged in their previous jobs. That's what most people do.

These two men are not, however, "most people"; they are filthy rich and privileged and can take long breaks to pfaff around indulging their whims while they decide what to do next with their lives. That's what Harry's doing. He doesn't deserve to be criticised for it, but neither does he deserve any particular credit for it, nor any indulgence or excuses made for him; he is merely exercising one of the perks of his position.

As for people expecting him to have made a career of the army, we have been led to believe that was what he wanted and was planning on doing so we can be forgiven for believing that would in fact be the case. I find it somewhat surprising that it hadn't apparently occurred to him before now that his time doing the things he liked about the armed forces - the adventure stuff - would have a shelf life and that his career would have to take a turn towards more sedate things he might not have either a talent or desire for. I would have thought he would have had a long-term plan for his future, but it seems not.

Most people will find the new job first before quitting the old job. Even though Harry had the privilege to do the reverse, from a PR point, he shouldn't do so. Especially, his brother's precedence had already brought a lot of accusation. There is no excuse for Harry to do the same thing again. The Palace had spent so much money on PR, they couldn't figure out such a simple fact.

Actually I don't think any one would order him to do the desk job even he chooses to stay. Before he finds out his next destination, he can still stay in the army and do some charity work for the benefit of injured service men and women, which he obviously is going to continue on.

[Curryong]

Originally Posted by PetticoatLane

I knew the knives would come out for Harry when he took the decision to leave the Army and take some time deciding what he wants to do next, but I genuinely did not think it would start literally the day after the announcement was made.

This is an interesting example of how little we really know about the royals and their intentions. I've read multiple times on this board that Harry would obviously be a career soldier, spend a good 20-25 years in service much like his uncle Andrew. Goes to show that we know pretty much nothing.

I totally agree with your post, PetticoatLane. There were apparently knives out in the Daily Fail comments section. What else is new, though some posters stood up for him.

I think Harry may well have been mulling this over for quite some time, perhaps talking it over with his father and with army friends. We don't know what went on, and the decision appears to have been as much a surprise to royal correspondents (who are supposed to have insider knowledge but don't) as everyone else.

I do have faith in Harry, and believe that things will work out for him in the long run. There may be all sorts of plans and projects germinating at the moment of which we know nothing.

[US Royal Watcher]

Originally Posted by PetticoatLane

I knew the knives would come out for Harry when he took the decision to leave the Army and take some time deciding what he wants to do next, but I genuinely did not think it would start literally the day after the announcement was made.

This is an interesting example of how little we really know about the royals and their intentions. I've read multiple times on this board that Harry would obviously be a career soldier, spend a good 20-25 years in service much like his uncle Andrew. Goes to show that we know pretty much nothing.

I agree and it also demonstrates that they really don't make their decisions based on the potential for criticism. Based on William's experience, Harry knew he would be criticized for not providing a detailed explanation for his next career, but the potential criticism didn't change his decision. I am confident that Harry will find a role that he'll find meaningful and fulfilling.

[miss whirley]

Originally Posted by Osipi

As far as George's 2nd birthday is concerned, I would think it would be more plausible that Harry would use the second best thing to being there... video chat via Skype or such. I don't see him flying back to the UK for the occasion though.

I really, really doubt Harry will Skype George for his Birthday. He will probably FedEx a gift from Africa, or have one of his staff in London pick out a gift and drop it off. That's about it.

He will also likely miss baby Cambridge's Christening. Not that he would of been made a godfather anyways. At least we won't have to listen to the media squawk about the great-aunts and great-uncles not being invited, when Uncle Haz is a no-show.

[Rudolph]

Looks like Harry will be joining William as a Royal Colonel

Prince Harry set to guard the Queen, his grandmother, as Royal Colonel after Army retiring | Royal | News | Daily Express

Captain Wales, an air controller and Apache gunship helicopter pilot for the past 10 years, has been listed to replace Field Marshal the Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank when he retires as Colonel of the Life Guards.

The move is expected within 18 months but has to be officially sanctioned by the Queen on the recommendation of the Army Board.

He already boasts a military pedigree in the Household Cavalry and will be one of a clutch of Royal Colonels in the Honour Guard for the Monarch at the Trooping the Colour ceremony.

[AfricanAUSSIE]

Prince Harry was right to leave the Army reveals poll | Daily Mail Online