To feel sorry for the fake admiral

[MajesticWhine]

It seems to be a victimless crime and I don’t think he was doing anyone any harm. Given the amount of crimes such as shoplifting that go unpunished AIBU to think this man should be let off with a caution?

‘Fake admiral’ charged after Remembrance memorial
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/4d56e1d99d56fda6

Clearly a mental health problem, clearly a lost soul

Well, now you know he is just a faker and know he isn’t a threat you can say it’s fine. Until then you have no idea. You’re only saying that as you know it was egoistical rather than nefarious. Nobody trying to pass as military personnel is assumed harmless until no threat is guaranteed.

The point is, though, that there’s no deception in honorary uniforms and their embellishments.
Its not comparable to this case really.

no, not clearly MH. Let’s wait on a reliable source . Instead of guessing

It is absolutely not a victimless crime. It’s an insult to myself and all those who have served, and particularly an insult to those who we seek to remember on November 11th, those who laid down their lives in service. To attend an event to commemorate those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, and seek to make yourself front and centre is abhorrent (note these folk never Walt as a private soldier, it’s always a high rank, or SAS etc. conferring false ‘status’).

It’s great they are caught and made examples of- let it serve as a warning to those who have never served but whose actions indirectly bring the services into disrepute, at a time when the world is so unstable we need our forces more than ever.

@Hoistupthemainsail* *
No I don’t feel sorry for him. He didn’t deserve to be there or wear those medals.
What exactly have the Royals done to wear the acres of ribbons that they wear!

Yeah that’s true, so I suppose I see the reason for an arrest if they think it could be nefarious, but once it’s found that is no threat then I don’t see the point in perusing a charge and court proceedings. What actual harm has been done?

To send message out that it is wrong to impersonate people? You want a host of people playing police men, nurses etc just for kicks? No harm done?

It's a throwback to the original role of royalty, which was military. That's why the men are all expected to go into the forces in some way, despite the fact that it's pointless now, a token gesture.

I happen to agree with you, but I am not connected to the armed forces in any way. Oddly, the few people I know who have served don't seem to feel that way about it. The impression I have is that those who have served are staunchly Royalist.

I don’t feel sorry for him by the way. I think he must be either unwell or a dickhead, and I’m leaning towards the latter.

I don’t agree it’s not hurting anyone. For context, I don’t wear a poppy, but respect matters. I know two families personally from this part of N Wales who would be very hurt to see their losses of young men (pretty recently) made a mockery of this way.
Whatever the reason it’s not harmless, particularly to the people he was trying to impress, who ironically probably saw through the fake immediately.

There is a difference, but likes of Princess Anne hasn’t fought for the right to wear them or for her dead comrades has she, which is the point of the medals that a lot of posters are making.

Charles served in both the Navy and the RAF. He made commander in the navy and trained as a pilot in the RAF. He has no campaign medals but he does have several medals that only those in service can earn.

Well people are in fancy dress as them all the time. If they tried to operate on someone then harm would be done. If they falsely arrested someone, then harm would be done. Walking round in a uniform is not harmful; I don’t see that he has caused harm.

@IsItSnowing

Who exactly gives the Windsors the right to dress up and festoon themselves with medals?

There IS a link with the admiral in the stolen valour sense .

The royals use stolen valour too . It’s part of their propaganda

medals are awarded for valourous acts. They aren’t ribbons or baubles. They’re a physical manifestation of bravery and risk undertaken. Real people serve they are sons & daughters ,siblings and it means a lot. Let’s not use words like ribbons to diminish items of significance that were awarded because they mean something. Medals represent a participation,service and to falsely wear medals is a big deal

ok. Well let’s agree to disagree. Playing dress up is very different to assuming a role and letting v people believe you are something you’re not, esp in a position of authority.

Wow ignorance at best they served

They are all self glorifying twerps, same as this guy

I think there is deception though, of a different sort. I think it's as bad as the 'rear admiral.' I think that many of the comments on this thread are proof of this- in 2025 people still think it's ok for one family to give themselves the right to dress up in whatever uniform they want, award each other medals without deserving them, and live a liftetime of unimaginable luxury, paid for by us. Want to go to Wimbledon? Easy, turn up to Centre Court to the best seats, bring your kids along- the plebs will pay for you, and even clap for the honour of doing so! Unlucky enough to get cancer? That's a shame, but you'll get taxpayer-funded top private care....Want to dress up as a colonel-in-chief? Don't worry, more taxpayer money coming your way to have as many fancy uniforms and army jollies as you like.....At least the fake 'rear-admiral' paid for the outfit he wore.

Ironically the most despicable of the lot, and the one who's escaped the whole charade, Andrew and Harry, are the only ones to have put themselves in harm's way and actually deserve to wear their service medals (not the pretend ones, the ones they would have earned if they were called Smith, not Windsor.)

Yup, another reason our Royal Family are so pathetic and derisory adorning themselves in uniforms & medals like ribbons and baubles - excluding the one or two who served of course, the majority have not.

Revelling in stolen glory - shameful and disgusting!

I was at school and university with him. The Army guy with him is in the same dining society.

Agree

He has caused offence to many people and needs to be stopped from doing it again and potentially causing harm to himself or others.The only way to find out his intentions is to assess him medically. Fantasists don't always cause harm but they can do,so now he has been caught he can't just be allowed to let off with a verbal telling off . Just because he planned it does not mean he can differentiate between fantasy and reality.