Prince Harry has been frighting the Taliban

[NAB3wishesfor2008]

For the last 10 weeks.

Good for him and very sensible to tell us after the posting.

I agree withyou there, mountain. To choose that amount of worthless publicity... I don;t know

I'm glad someone else think this is a stunt. I've been pathetically fighting my own corner over here all afternoon.

I don't think there was a D-notice, it was an informal agreement between the Ministry of Defence and the media. Shame Bild and the Druge Report couldn't keep their traps shut.

I was quite little at the time so may be wrong about this, but can't remember there being quite so much fuss when Prince Andrew was in the Falklands. And he actually did something useful - was one of the pilots who rescued men from a sinking, burning ship.

There's a fuss because Harry, the army and the press have conspired to make it a fuss.

I think that Harry's been a pawn in all of this. He's been given the limited chance to actually do what he wants to do (and bloody good on him for him for doing it) and it's been manipulated into the bigger workings and politics of it all.

pennies - should I send you a virtual hug?

He wanted to go - the only way he could go was if the media didn't report it - the carrot for the media to keep quiet was the filming and interviews.

I don't think that makes him a pawn.

No, he wasn't a pawn. He chose this and I think it was a really crass decision.

A bit like medieval times when the king/queen rode out very publicly at the front of a battle. Things don;t change that much with royals and war.

WW - I'll take that but I also think there are much broader issues at stake which i've elaborated on the other PH vs Taliban / is coming home thread.

I do have great respect for him for going out there though and I feel that he's wanted to do it for himself regardless of who he is and he's had to compromise because of the wider political deal that he can never escape necause of his position. Poor sod.

I casn see that he's wanted to do it for himself, very badly. But what a lousy deal. I don;t feel sorry for him. I cannot understand the sympathy for him

Of cource they change. This is the whole point. Hazza hasn't been out there leading the troops a la Richard III. He's been there with fully functioning equipment and a behind the scenes level of covert backup that would keep a small country going. I would hazard a guess that his posting was not the most dangerous out there, just as Price Andrew was a there to pick up the pieces of the war in rescueing service men rather than in actual combat.

OK, the Times says today he authorised bomb drops. Now I know diddly squat about the army so I admit I'm just guessing but isn't this a bit much for a 23 year old? I'll hold my hands up and admit I'm wrong if people can demonstrate otherwise but the impression I from the paper was that he was a mini Monty in the making out there.

Third in line to the throne? Father just turning sixty and it's not unfeasible that his throne time is a tad limited. I don't think so.

I agree pointy. I don't feel sorry for him. Yes he probably did want it badly for himself but don't we teach out children that you don't always just do something because you want it, you consider other people. Just imagine how much (putting the risk to our soldiers aside for one moment) this actually cost. Perhaps he didn't get that message at home....

But what else can he do with his life? What is he qualified to do? What do the senior male Royals actually do all day? That's no life for an energetic normal 23-year-old.

I do feel sorry for him.

I don;t think things have changes that much. 'I'm doing everything a normal soldier woudl be doing... only er.. I;m not

And instead of rallying the troops face to face, he'll do it via the medai

Did you see that bit of the interview where he was asked if he wishes he wasn't a prince and he said he wishes that all the time? Then hastily backpedalled to acknowledge that of course he does have a very privileged life...

Because he hasn't been brought up the sheltered way Prince Charles was, he knows what his life could be like. It's a bugger for him really. What is he going to do long term?

He's doing what? Really? I never heard!

well, what would a non-paiad working perso do all day? On ewith lots of cash?

They would

do lots of energetic sports and hobbies

visit frirnds, look after childrne

do a lot of voluntary work to get a saitifies feeling

I don;t think may would compalina. SOunds a pretty good lifestyle to me

non-paid-woprk person I meant

what is he going to do long term? Try to enjoy his life within its restrictions like the rest of us

he can't help it that he was born to whom he was born to, though, pointy. it's hardly his fault he's a prince, and it's not like he just stop being himself.

No one can help who they are born. We try our hardest to enjyo life and do the best we can.

That';s his lot too. He is normal

The grin was at Rhuby btw.

Whatever he does, he's going to need security following him around all the time. He does do sports and other energetic activities and voluntary work already, doesn't he? It's not a proper job though.

Maybe he'll move to Africa.

the grass is always greener, pointy.

and he's still young enough not to realise that.