Posted on 11/19/2004 11:54:34 AM PST by ConservativeMan55
I would face front line - Prince William
Prince William started at St Andrews in September 2001 Prince William has said that if he joins the Army when he finishes St Andrews University he would not shirk fighting at the front line. "The last thing I want to do is be mollycoddled or wrapped up in cotton wool," the 22-year-old said.
In an interview to mark the final year of his four-year course, he said to be kept back from war zones because of his title would be "humiliating".
He added that "life was too short" to be worried about one day becoming King.
The prince, who is second in line for the throne, would not be, he insisted, a reluctant King but that at the moment he was concentrating on keeping his "feet on the ground" and "enjoying myself as much as I can ". "The thing is with me I look on the brighter side of everything.
"There's no point being pessimistic or being worried about too many things because frankly life's too short."
It should never be forgotten what all the war veterans have sacrificed for all of us to be as we are
Talking about his recent role at Remembrance Sunday when he joined senior Royals including his father Prince Charles and grandmother the Queen at the Cenotaph service in London, he said it made him "very proud to be British".
"It should never be forgotten what all the war veterans have sacrificed for all of us to be as we are."
He expressed admiration for the British soldiers who were currently in action "fighting their hearts out".
He said he had hinted before at joining the Armed Forces when he finishes his studies and said the Army would be his first choice.
Harry a 'guinea pig'
He said officers' training academy Sandhurst was "very attractive" and younger brother Prince Harry was "going as a guinea pig first to see what happens".
If he serves, he said he would not expect to be "kept back for being precious".
"It's the most humiliating thing and it would be something I'd find very awkward to live with, being told I couldn't go out there when these guys have got to go out there."
However he added he had not entirely made up his mind about the future and "there's plenty of possibilities open".
Deep down I am pretty normal
Prince William
He also plans to consider what charity work he wants to perform, such as highlighting poverty and Aids in Africa and fighting homelessness.
"My mother introduced that area to me a long time ago, which was a real eye-opener and I'm very glad she did. It's been something I've held close to me for a long time."
As part of the interview, cameras followed the prince around the small university town in the east of Scotland.
He was shown playing snooker with friends and in a tutorial with a professor.
"Deep down I am pretty normal," he said.
He said his time at university has been "brilliant" and that he has enjoyed being able to stay out of the media spotlight.
That is expected to end with his studies next year.
Thanks! I knew there were more words, and I was going to go nuts trying to remember them!
Wasn't his uncle, Prince Andrew (helicopter pilot in the Royal Navy) kept back from combat (Falklands ?) because of his lineage? Nothing against Andrew, because his service set a good example for the rest of his family, but I thought that it was one of his regrets.
bump
"Cotton wool" means cotton fluff, like pillow stuffing. The image is up being wrapped up like a china figurine packed for moving. Styrofoam peanuts makes the same point!
Didn't Charles fly a Harrier jet in the Faulklands war? My memory fails me on this one.
Hmmm. King of England, Northern Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zeland, Papua New Guinea, and whatever other countries formally recognize "The Crown" - he knows not what is within his grasp...
IIRC, Prince Andrew flew a Westland Wasp helicopter during the Falklands campaign.
I'll teach him how to shoot. I'm a Double Expert 4th Award from the US Marine Corps. Shooting for me is as easy as blinking my eyes.
I don't really keep up with British royalty. I'm not sure why the Brits still have royalt, except that they seem to have celebrity status or something. But royalty aside, it is so refreshing to hear that the young Prince William is expressing a pro-military spirit and sees his responsibility serving his country. That's a good example to set for a country that's been beaten down by socialism and seems to have it's fair share of rabid peaceniks.
>> Wasn't his uncle, Prince Andrew (helicopter pilot in the Royal Navy) kept back from combat (Falklands ?) because of his lineage?
I recall the opposite. Prince Andrew flew his helicopter in combat as a decoy to lure missles away from the warships. It was a very dangerous job.
Yes, it was Bosworth. Henry won the battle and became king, establishing the Tudor dynasty. To the best of my knowledge no monarch has died in battle after that time, but Charles I got his head whacked off by Parliament, as a consequence of losing too many battles.
whats that like tomato thing they are all wearing on their lapels (the brits)?
As Shakespeare said, "A Horse, A Horse, my kingdom for a Horse." In other words, I'm buggin out!
Tradition has it that he tossed the crown into a bush
I think it is a fake poppy, their version of remembering Armistice Day.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remembrance_Day
It means to be insultated, protected, as fragile items are wrapped in cotton to protect them from being broken. It's a British expression but we still use cotton to protect asprin tablets in the bottle from being broken.
>> whats that like tomato thing they are all wearing on their lapels (the brits)?
I don't know.
I'm too old to swoon over this handsome young man, but may God help him to rise about his self-centered parents - that he might actually consider the people more highly than himself. Who knows, perhaps he will be the one to ultimately dismantle the belief and practice of monarchism.
Ah yes the St Crispins day rally speech. I wonder how may of our soldiers know that one. Probably more than we would expect. I suppose it has been used on many a battle field either from Shakespeare or a spontaneouly composed likeness. I think Kenneth Branaugh's rendition is the best ever. "Cry Havoc and let slip the dogs of war"
The commute is too long. I prefer Fairfax
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