Princes William and Harry to join Army!

[Midshipman786]

The Sunday Times
May 25, 2003
Nicholas Hellen, Social Affairs Editor



PRINCE William and Prince Harry are to continue the royal tradition of service in the armed forces by enlisting as officer cadets at Sandhurst.
Both have begun the search for a regiment to sponsor their applications to the elite Royal Military Academy in Surrey, which will prepare them for careers in the army.

Depending on whether the princes take time off after their academic studies there is even the possibility that they will compete head-on for the accolade of sword of honour, awarded to the outstanding cadet at the sovereign’s parade.

William, 21 next month, intends to join the one-year course after completing his history of art degree at St Andrews University in 2005. The timing of Harry’s arrival will depend on whether he achieves good enough A-level results this summer to go to university.

The princes’ decision to pursue a military career is said to be “entirely of their own free will”. One informed source, who dismissed reports that William has set his heart on a career in a New York auction house or gallery, said: “They have not been pressured.”

Other factors have, however, come into consideration. Harry, who has experimented with drink and drugs, will be insulated from the temptations of student life if he goes directly from school into the military.

For William, the army enables him to postpone the day when he has to take a full public role under the gaze of the media. A source close to the prince said: “The army is one of the last remaining institutions in which someone as famous as William can be sure that things will be kept private.” William has refused to allow his birthday celebrations on June 21 to be turned into a public event, and wants, as far as possible, to live the life of a normal student until his graduation.

Royal sources insist that the princes will gain admission to the military academy, the oldest in the world, entirely on merit.

“They will fly in. I would be very surprised if that were not the case,” said an insider. Both princes excelled as cadets at Eton College, and Harry was selected to be parade commander for the annual tattoo of the school’s Combined Cadet Force.

The princes will be following a family tradition of service in the military. Their father, the Prince of Wales, was in the Royal Navy after a short stint at the RAF College at Cranwell. The Duke of York was a commander in the Royal Navy. The Earl of Wessex quit after training with the Royal Marines.

[Tab]

I wonder if they will do any better than their Uncle Edward????????

[lew]

What’s the betting that William would get that sword whether or not he was the best cadet at Sandhurst, and does anyone else find it funny that all the royals became commanders of there chosen regt, co-incidence I think not.

By the way if you haven’t realised by this I’m not a big fan of the royals, but looks like i might end up going to Sandhurst with one if I get in after college


lew

[lew]

I’m joining to serve my country which is more important than liking or disliking the royals, and its not the royals that decide that we go to war or not its the prime minister and the government, the royals are now nothing but tourist attractions…

[lew]

Point taken. But this is the job I’ve wanted to do since I was little and not liking the royals doesn’t mean I would perform any duty less than 100%. From leading men into battle or guarding Buckingham palace I accept that swearing to the crown to protect the queen and her heirs is part of this but at the same time are you not swearing to protect your country and all it stands for?

I’m fiercely patriotic but I don’t believe you have to love your queen to be a professional soldier, some may not agree with me but then we all have our own opinions don’t we.

[may18]

It is the prime minister who decides where the forces go i know.

But in theory if the queen gave conflicting orders, the officers would obey her instead?.

[BenChug]

In all of the Commenwealth you're swear your oath under the Queen.

The CF Oath of Allegiance is the following (I've got mine framed next to me.)

I, Undersigned

Ben

Do swear that I be faithful and bear
true allegiance to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Second
Queen of Canada, her heirs and successors
according to law.

So help me God

It's to be taken seriously, it's like in court you swear on the bible, whether you believe in god or not.

God save the Queen.

[Cdt Cooper]

they're just going to be there to say they've been there. special loopoles just fr them will be put in place so they don't have to do anything accept get a high rank for doing nothing and drink tea (no-offence to tea or anything).

God help us all what are the forces coming to

steve

[lew]

I’m not saying the Oath of Allegiance is anything to be taken lightly as after taking the oath you are a part of the armed forces and can and will be called upon to serve you country (and queen) I’m not disputing that, I have no problem with that either, I simply don’t like them that’s all!!!

[Cronkilla]

Ill bet my left arm and leg that harry will/has failed the drugs test.

[Cdt Cooper]

ofcourse that will either be kept quiet or put down to someform of indisclosed reason.

[Smiler.wales]

Im not a royalist (far from it) but it appears to me that the princes and the army are damned if they do and damned if they dont.

Admittedly thats the price of the priveledges they recieve however I hardly think that training will be a walk in the park and anyone who commits to any army training does deserve a certain amount of respect.