Princes William and Harry to join Army!
Posted: Mon 26 May, 2003 5:01 am
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.
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.
