Edward

[ratso]

We have had a bit of upset over the Eddy chat where fun turned serious. So lets have your views on Edward and his time in the Corps.
I remember Moutbatten and his jumping up and down when they started to talk about disbanding Royal. What would he have said about Eddy?
So lets have your views

[Muttley]

He was struggling, he did not really want to be there, despite the pressures he must have been under from all and sundry, he had the balls to say no thanks. Respect him for that at least. Better that he went off to do something he was interested in than end up trying to lead a tp of our guys when he was not up to it!

[Paddy Nye]

At first,I thought, 'What a Wimp'. But on reflection, I think he was brave to make the decision that it wasn't for him, despite all the adverse Press and public comment he knew that decision would generate. Better that he realised that he wasn't up to it in training rather than in action leading men.
He made the right decision for the men and him. For that we should thank him for his bravery.
No doubt Mountbatten's first instinct would have been to grab Ed around the kneck but the Lord would eventually have realised that the decision was right.
Edwards success in life is elsewhere. I wish him and Sophie the best.

Paddy

[ratso]

Well if we all look closely at what made us Royal Marines it was not the Corps but ourselves and only the will and determination to go on. How many chose a different route, a lot regreting it remember our friend off the last notice board.....
Edward gave part of himself to the Corp, if he had made the ranks we would not have gained for over a year the reputation as the hardest course in the world for armed forces. So I dare say Lord Luis will be waring a smile as this was his Corps and he fought to keep it for many years.
I wish Edward and Sophie all the best.
Yep he will remain a topic for Royal to use and abuse for many years but the truth we know what it takes and he gave it a go which brother did that much!!!

[Rotary Booty]

I must admit I was horrified when I heard he was joining the Corps and VERY relieved when he pulled the plug and left. Nothing I have seen him do since then has changed this opinion, and especially his 'covert' photo team at Prince William's school foul up!! A similar event, if he'd been serving in the Corps, could have cost lives. Now, if Prince William wanted to join...........

[Andy O'Pray]

I must admit that I was surprised when the Duke of E selected Edward to join the Royal Marines. Either he was unaware of what was entailed in the training of a Royal Marines officer, or he did not know his son very well. I tend to think that it was the latter.

[dave barrett]

I agree with your last, Andy, it was the latter! As I said in a different link, before 'ratso' sub divided..I spent 2 weeks with him , before he started his 'training proper'. I also spend the same 2 weeks with his 'minder', who didn't relax until Edward went back up the line...His minder was a man of indeterminate age, maybe 45 -50, who told me he had been with Edward since he was 12 or 13 and regarded him as a son....This conversation took place over quite a few beers in...dare I mention it here...The Sgts Mess...The minder had 2 concerns, firstly his own physical fitness for the forthcoming trial at CTC(in his words, he wasn't getting any younger), and secondly his doubts about the parental relationship of his protege.

That being said I still think it took an awful lot of guts to do what Ed did...Matters little what has happened since...The boy must have faced Phil down over that Chrimbo leave period and told him... "Sorry, dad, it's a bit like a royal family in Greece, it's not for me!".

Regards Dave B.

[ratso]

Seeing what is going on with Ed at present Dave I would say he is still facing his dad down and always will.
Watch he'll make a film about his dads life, that would make for interesting watching or reading. I do a bit of work with ex-plod Royal Protection who have told me some stories...
It is funny that no matter how far down his company gets money wise there is always someone willing to back him, he must have something to offer...