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

Sophia of Hannover was the daughter of Elizabeth Stuart who was the daughter of James I and VI. He in turn was descended from Henry VII's consort Elizabeth of York, who was the daughter of Edward IV, who was descended from a younger son of Edward III, himself descended from Matilda who was a granddaughter of William the Conqueror.

So yes, the current royal family can trace their lineage back to William the Conqueror.

Don't you think that the female line counts? They may have gone via several younger sons and a few daughters on the way but the King is undeniably a great^n grandson of William the Conqueror.

That is 2/3rds of the working year after taking out weekends, bank holidays and annual leave - she is 72 years old. I personally think that is pretty impressive.

@Plantstrees I think it is fine. But the issue is that this is easily the most anyone does. The younger working Royals should be doing way more.

William the Conqueror, was the son of Robert, Duke of Normandy. There is no evidence that his mother Herleva was a servant. He was born in Falaise in Normandy. The Union Jack is flying at half-mast on the Castle today.
Charles now has the title Duc de Normandie in the Channel Islands.

That was in response to the poster who said William the Conqueror was the son of the Duke of Burgundy btw.

Thankyou to @Octomore
and @HilaryThorpe
For the family tree of current royals, and yes, William the Conqueror, also known as William the Bastard was the unmarried son of Robert the Duke of Normandy.
(Wiki)

I am suprised at the Hanoverians are from the same lineage.
There are some theorists who suggest Edward IV was illegitimate, and that Michael Hastings, living in Australia, is our true king, descended from the Plantagenets.
I need to stop reading Philippa Gregory !

Robert the Duke of Normandy was unmarried.

Not that it matters if William the Conqueror was illegitimate, at least as far as England was concerned. Conquest by force supercedes any other claims.

@Bankcockbabe

Did you even ask why I feel sympathy, or merely assume - based on your own thoughts?

Why do you feel sympathy for him?

I find it odd that having complained I didn't ask why you feel sympathy that when I did ask you didn't reply
Maybe you missed it, so I'll ask again
Why do you feel sympathy for Harry?

If for those who are currently serving. Even ex military soldiers aren’t a allowed to wear their uniforms after they have served. That’s why even though Mr. Sussex has done so much military service he is no longer serving so shouldn’t be allowed to wear it. Everyone is meant to follow that rule.

Andrew wore his military uniform at the vigil last night and Charles has asked Harry to do the same today. Very interesting change..

Well yes. Harry's army career is often held up as yet more evidence of his hard done to-ness, often with assertions that he was forced to curtail it earlier than he would have liked and this was a long term regret and sadness for him, but I read and heard from army contacts that Harry couldn't have progressed any further as he had no degree and wasn't capable of the in house "Education" courses he needed to progress. Not only that but apparently senior officers were fed up of him claiming time off for "official" royal engagements only to see him the papers printing stories of him pissed in night clubs.

Back for a catch-up on the thread this morning, and just want to make it absolutely clear that this poster was not me! I would never resort to sock puppetry which is such a pathetic thing to do.

At the end of the day I don’t feel strongly enough about this topic, on any level, to stay on a thread and argue about it.

Will now leave you to your thread again.

@bridgetreilly · Yesterday 10:38
'Princess Anne does look really great in her uniform. It suits her'.

So that makes it all alright then ?

It's all made up rubbish really. Only Harry deserves to wear a uniform. None of the others do including the Nonce who shouldn't even be there in public.

It makes a mockery out of those who have served and put their lives on the line

My two pence is that I agree with the OP. But also, I've learnt a lot from this thread, so thank you, MNers. Last night when Anne in her uniform out of the 19th century went to stand vigil at the coffin, I thought she looked daft in that Nelson hat, sword (or was it a came?) and over the knee boots. But they all four looked over the top with all the gold braid etc. But OTOH I do like things that are a bit bonkers.

There is a much simpler reason. She is showing that as a woman she is the equal of her brothers. Not to be shuffled into the background. Women in the military do the same jobs as men now. She did not have that opportunity, but I can assure you the military greatly admire her and she works very hard for them. They do not think she should not wear uniform. She is changing things for women, as did the Queen.

It was ridiculous and absurd to see Anne decked out like Lord Nelson. I felt so angry. All those royals have their rows of medals whether they have a military connection or not, which is a downright insult to those who gave their lives in the service of their country. This over-the-top symbolism of the monarchy shows just how out of touch they are. Until now I have been neither for nor against the monarchy but a re-appraisal of their place in the UK is overdue

@DdraigGoch Very good point - I completely forgot about Elizabeth of York…..

Only Harry deserves to wear a uniform.

Why?

He has left the forces as have all of them (except Anne who was never in)

Surely if he does then they all do?

For context:

Both Carol Vorderman and Sir Chris Hoy hold honorary senior officer rank in the RAF and by virtue of that are entitled to wear uniform when appropriate despite having never served in the Forces (AFAIK). There will be other non-royals similarly entitled.

www.challenger.org/team_members/carol-vorderman/

www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets/news/sir-chris-measures-up-for-duty/

Only Harry deserves to wear a uniform. None of the others do including the Nonce who shouldn't even be there in public

It makes a mockery out of those who have served and put their lives on the line

and you make a mockery by ignoring the facts - Charles served in both the Army and RN and William served in the Army.

why do you think Harry’s service is more “deserving”?

All service officers' commissions are granted by the monarch. My husband has his commissioning scroll signed by the Queen. The monarch can grant or withhold commissions to whomsoever he/she likes.

I think there’s too many people that care far too much about what complete strangers do/wear. If it doesn’t affect you why are you so bothered?

I think it's Harry & Andrew who care too much.

They are not working royals & have no titles!