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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that after all the money spent on their military training that Harry and William should have proper jobs?

202 replies

Sixweekstowait · 04/08/2014 15:00

Just that really - all they ever seem to do is go to sporting events

OP posts:
Annarose2014 · 04/08/2014 15:09

Didn't Harry always have a proper job? Confused

Middleagedmotheroftwo · 04/08/2014 15:10

Harry is still in the army - that IS his proper job. And William has always had a proper job until recently - he was an air/sea rescue pilot.

Original poster
Sixweekstowait · 04/08/2014 15:12

He's still in the army (Harry) but not a proper job - something to do with organising ceremonial occasions for his relations I believe!

OP posts:
Original poster
Sixweekstowait · 04/08/2014 15:14

Anyway, given their age, they have no way paid back the investment in their training- ffs - they are what about 30 and 32?

OP posts:
StillStayingClassySanDiego · 04/08/2014 15:16

William is a helicopter pilot isn't he and future King, sounds like he has a proper job.

Harry seems to do lots of engagements as the Queen and Phil are scaling back.

I like them,being born into the Royal family limits what they can do, surely, so what would you have them do?

puntasticusername · 04/08/2014 15:17

Perhaps one of them should do a tour of duty in a war zone.

Oh, wait...

ICanSeeTheSun · 04/08/2014 15:18

abcnews.go.com/International/prince-harry-heads-war-afghanistan/story?id=17179991

I think any person who has been in a war zone for 4 months has 'paid back' their training.

Middleagedmotheroftwo · 04/08/2014 15:19

They will both have had to do their "time", same as anyone else.

Anyone can leave the forces a short time after training, you only sign up for so many years, and even then you can leave with notice. It doesn't have to be a lifetime committment.

What point are you making?

PumpkinPie2013 · 04/08/2014 15:21

William was a search and rescue helicopter pilot.

Harry is still in the Army and has been on a tour of duty.

I call those things proper jobs!

Tbh they can't do right for doing wrong as far as some people are concerned.

Hakluyt · 04/08/2014 15:23

Grin at "future king" being a "proper job"!

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 04/08/2014 15:25

Hakluyt Helicopter pilot is what I was referring to.

Cantbelievethisishappening · 04/08/2014 15:27

William takes up a new post as a helicopter pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance this year.

RichTeaAreCrap · 04/08/2014 15:27

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

grimbletart · 04/08/2014 15:27

Isn't William joining the East Anglian Air Ambulance as a pilot in September? I would have thought that was a pretty proper job. At least it is if the pilots who work for my amazing local air ambulance service are anything to go by….

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 04/08/2014 15:28

OP, what do you think they should be doing?

MorphineDreams · 04/08/2014 15:30

I'm quite sure he already has a 'proper' job, but again like anyone else they should be able to do what the hell they want with their lives.

fluffyraggies · 04/08/2014 15:32

It could just as easily be argued that because of who they are they don't need jobs and are taking up positions which could go to someone who does actually need the money.

I'm on the fence.

Hakluyt · 04/08/2014 15:37

"Haven't they both done a tour in a war zone too? Interested to know what you class as a 'proper' job if you don't view this as anything significant."

Of course that's a proper job. So that's 4 months of their lives accounted for......

LadyLemongrab · 04/08/2014 15:39

And yet again I fail to see why these people inspire such bitterness in others.

To be constantly judge and picked over by people who think they have some sort of ownership over you sounds fucking horrendous.

I hope the money and privilege go someway to compensate for it. But I bet they'd swap it all if they could.

Heathcliff27 · 04/08/2014 15:39

Whats a "proper" job?

Andro · 04/08/2014 15:40

William completed his contracted years in the military (including a full duty rotation in S&R), chose to leave at the end of his contract and has now taken a job as an air ambulance pilot.

Harry is still in the army and ceremonial duties are as much a part of the military (especially the household division) as combat duties.

Proper jobs across the board.

RichTeaAreCrap · 04/08/2014 15:41

Everybody has the same opportunity to join the services and be qualified enough to go in as a Junior Officer and then after passing their training to become an Officer. I don't agree that they are taking up positions that could go to somebody who needs the money. Their roles are far too specialist to do this.

Also don't forget the amount of money and publicity that they generate for the services by serving for them.

Hakluyt · 04/08/2014 15:43

"But I bet they'd swap it all if they could."

Nothing stopping them. Go for it. They can come and stay with me while they sort their lives out.

thegreylady · 04/08/2014 15:44

I think op wants them stacking shelves or servicing cars or driving buses! They have a lifetime of public service ahead of them and they are as good at it as their grandmother they will have 'repaid' a thousandfold.

puntasticusername · 04/08/2014 15:45

In any case, doing a job isn't just about earning the wage. It's about personal fulfilment, and the chance to contribute one's skills, intellect and personality to making the world a bit of a better place etc. Why should the Royals be denied the chance to do that just because they happen to have other sources of income?