To wonder why Princess Anne wears military uniform - when she has never served

[Bankcockbabe]

I love the Royals, and feel very sorry for their current awful situation, so is not intended as a bash against Princess Anne or any of them

but - I do not understand why Princess Anne wears Military Uniform in the procession, never having served in the military - and Prince Harry was not able to , even though he has done two tours

I get Princess Anne has honorary titles, but 'honorary' titles but claiming this, IMO, doesn't really do justice to the men & women who have actually served - It feels like it is making a mockery if someone who has not done the same, can put the Uniform on

The monarchy is not about fairness. I don't get when people who claim to be supporters start complaining about certain parts that aren't or complaining about how they have to earn what they have. Charles' mum made him a naval captain and RAF group captain for his 40th birthday. All he did for that honour was to reach a birthday milestone. In fact, if you look at most of his birthdays ending in 0 he got a rank or promotion for a previous one. This is the monarchy.

@Quveas

Rubbish. The military get no say in the matter.

Apologies, I thought military protocol was decided by the military themselves.

That is, in my book, verging on the ludicrous

There are more costumes in the Royal dressing up box to go round now that Andrew and Harry can't wear theirs.

The Monarch is head of the armed forces as part of being head of state, you noodle. That's why the military play a huge role in all sorts of royal events.

Until the early modern period kings lead their troops into battle. The vast majority of royal sons served.

So almost all the working royals have honorary positions. Women do this as much as men, because there's no reason not to.

They also all do charity work associated with the military.

Forces personal are generally very proud of their association with the royal family, if that's what you're worried about.

I'm sure Anne might have served, but the options for women were tiny when she was young.

This is a silly argument. Plenty of people display a solid work ethic, courage, heroism etc. without being rewarded with a senior military rank.

Just acknowledge that she's got it by virtue of birth (just like most of the things the royal family have). The working royals all have an extensive list of medals and titles which are theirs solely by virtue of the family they were born into.

I doubt whether the current royals are descended from William the Conqueror, they are descended from the Hanoverians. Also, just as an aside, William the Conqueror was illegitimate, he was the son of the Duke of Burgundy and a serving maid.

The monarchy is ludicrous. They do love playing dress up, and they do love playing at war. Not many get to go to war but pretending you're at the head of an army is just as much fun. Lot of glitz and sparkle from the medals, what's not to love?!

The only downside of no monarchy is President Boris Johnson... be careful what you wish for!

This.

It is what it is, but it is certainly not about what is 'fair'.

@Dotjones yes becUse he and his wife gor treated like shit and he spoke up about it!
How dare he stand up for himself eh?

The thing I find bizarre is why the Royals would want all the medals and promotions etc? Surely it becomes totally meaningless after a while, particularly when you know it didn't require any effort on your part?

I doubt whether the current royals are descended from William the Conqueror, they are descended from the Hanoverians.

Absolutely! When Queen Anne died, they passed over 30+ Stuarts to find a Protestant. Plus Henry VIII’s father (Henry VII) wasn’t really a royal at all before he won the crown. So not directly descended at all.

She is descended from him though, according to the family tree

Thanks for saying aloud what most of us are thinking.

Family tree attached. They have faffed around trying to skip out other heirs who were considered undesirable, but she is descended from William I.

Love this!

@TheSummerPalace
Britain doesn't have "Green Berets". Frank Gardner served in the Royal Green Jackets. As Captain Gardner he was OC, recce platoon, 4RGJ.
Incidentally, the last British monarch to fight at the head of the army was the then 60 year old George II at Dettingen in 1743.

On another note, Anne is often honoured being the most hard working member of the RF - so just to boil that down:-

In 2020 she apparently did a 'staggering' 145 days of work

Is that really 'staggering' to work for less than half of the year?

The thing I find bizarre is why the Royals would want all the medals and promotions etc? Surely it becomes totally meaningless after a while, particularly when you know it didn't require any effort on your part?

Yes. The monarch bestows medals, promotions and uniform and taketh away. It's like a strange family game - a mix up of love and cruelty in a way that I wouldn't want for my family.

When you are in your 70s?

yes, it is.

But to be fair, she DOES serve in the military.

fair enough, she’s not in the trenches, but neither are senior military personnel!

she will undertake duties relevant to her role. Even if that’s ceremonial. She’s a bit like a non exec director.

@Bankcockbabe
Princess Anne was voted Hardest Working Royal in 2021. She completed 387 engagements.
How come you didn't mention that?

Fair do's now she is older - you are right she is in her 70s

But this number has not hugely declined with age

There’s a lot of prep around the actual visits, I think. She visited my sister’s place of work; DSis was inclined to be dismissive ,about it, until the day itself PA had clearly done a lot of homework, knew who many staff were and what was done in the various labs , and where the institute’s work fitted in the larger perspective. They were all impressed

Don’t the royal staff do the homework, and brief the royals in the car on the way over?