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Eminentoes
The Dirty Prince Harry
There goes the British Royal Family’s painfully reacquired dignity.
The British Royal Family had been having a good year: the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had been picture-book perfect, the new duchess seemed ideal.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh had won the admiration of millions, standing for hours, despite their ages, on a cold rocking boat in the rain to review diamond jubilee pageant on the Thames. There had been the Olympic Games, with, despite their cost and excessive eccentricities, a fillip to British spirits.
And now, just when the Royal Family seemed to be recovering its public dignity, we have Prince Harry cavorting naked with strangers at a five-star Las Vegas hotel for the benefit of the world’s paparazzi.
One question this raises is, of course: Why should anyone want to see him naked? Another is: Should he feel an overwhelming urge to disrobe, he must know many millionaires with private islands who could offer him secluded beaches for such activities.
The real point, however, is that this in not the sort of thing princes ought to do, at least not if they want to stay princes. The monarchy has built up a great deal of public respect in recent years, not least because of the Queen’s unfailing dignity. Now this is on danger of being squandered.
Prince Harry is not a child. He is just short of his 28th birthday. He is a serving officer, an officially recognized leader of men, responsible not only for lives but also for highly-costly machinery (and apparently perfectly competent at his job). But what on Earth has gone wrong with him, that he does not seem to know or care that a most important part of his job — his job in particular — is setting a good example? Not just to the men under him, but to the people on general. Even poor old mad George III knew that much. With Britain having one of the highest rates of juvenile drunkenness and crime in the developed world, a good example is needed. .
A survey of European children a few years ago by various government authorities reported that British children had the highest rate for drunkenness except for Denmark. Russia, a byword for dangerous, drunken chaos, had a rate of teenage drunkenness just over a third of that of Britain, and France, where children were frequently given wine from childhood, a rate of just under one seventh. The survey looked at 15 and 16 year-olds who had been drunk more than 20 times in their lives. The percentages were Britain: 29%, Russia, 10%, France 4%.
Is it his pigeon-brained mother’s genes coming through? Do the younger members of the House of Windsor have a death-wish for the dynasty? Or has British culture become so decadent that such behavior by a prince only a few places from the throne has come to be regarded as normal?
Why so test the loyalty of his own supporters and give fresh ammunition to those sad cases who want the monarchy abolished? It simply makes no sense. Memories are being revived of not-so-old pictures of Harry dressed as a Nazi or staggering drunk out of a London night-club with vomit running down his shirt. How many more Royal scandals is it thought the monarchy can take?
It is no excuse to say his bodyguards or protection officers should have warned him off. Of course they should, but that only seems to prove a lack of judgment, duty, and common sense among those responsible.
As it happens, last night immediately before seeing the Royal antics on television, I watched on U-tube the 1958 film Dunkirk, a masterpiece that has never had the recognition it deserves. Leadership and setting a good example are its themes: an unenthusiastic, middle-aged corporal (John Mills), plainly unused to command, leads a handful of men to safety through France in the Allied rout of 1940. In the general collapse he, largely by his bearing, holds together the tiny fragment of the British Army that he is entrusted with.
The film has vignettes of heroism along the way: the officers and men of an artillery battery await annihilation by Stukas without a thought of retreating or abandoning the guns without orders. When the artillery major steadies his men, or the corporal gets his exhausted men up and on the road again, one realizes what being a leader is all about. Elderly yachtsmen steer their boats under a rain of bombs to lift a few troops from the beaches…
In part an indictment of Britain’s military unpreparedness, the values of the film are about duty, fortitude, and setting an example. One soldier at the end acknowledges to the corporal that they would never have made it without the example he provided. Prince Harry ought to see it.
About the Author
Hal G.P. Colebatch’s “Immram,” Counterstrike, is being published by Australian publisher Imaginites.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (59) | Leave a comment
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Appleby| 8.24.12 @ 6:46AM
Strike another blow for Toddler Liberation.
Matthew Quigley| 8.24.12 @ 7:40AM
And we should care what that German (they're no more British than I am...Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, NOT "Windsor") bunch of trailer trash does? We're a REPUBLIC, not a frickin' monarchy! If the people of the UK are so stupid as to want to elevate a bunch of welfare recipients to that status, let them deal with the consequences of their stupidity. We gave their "royalty" the bum's rush better than 200 years ago, so why should this be even remotely news here? All I see is a stupid young man doing stupid things in Vegas...happens all the time. The only disgusting thing is that it's a welfare recipient doing those things on taxpayer pounds sterling.
C. Vernon Crisler | 8.24.12 @ 11:53AM
Yes, that's the problem with monarchy. If it was a politician, it's likely he would have to resign; or face a tough reelection challenge next time around. That can't be done with a monarchy, except to overthrow it.
THKrupp| 8.24.12 @ 2:10PM
The problem with your statement is that the public didnt elevate them. The Royal family owned large portions of the country. The Royal family gave up quite a bit over the centuries. I dont know what the exact agreement is between the UK and the Royal family but if they set it up a certain way then they are not welfare recipients.
Matthew Quigley| 8.24.12 @ 6:58PM
They don't work. They draw government checks and live in publicly funded housing. They're trailer trash and should be on Maury Povich.
Monarchy is for fools, and those who speak well of monarchs are idiots and should live under such worthless scum as all monarchs are.
Stuart Koehl| 8.26.12 @ 7:36PM
Actually, they do work, and quite hard. Prince Charles, for instance, owns vast tracts of the Duchy of Lancaster, and has introduced numerous innovations into his farms and other businesses which have made them far more profitable than previously. Other members of the Royal Family work tirelessly as representatives of the country in diplomatic and charitable endeavors. Whatever they get paid, it ain't enough.
Occam's Tool| 8.24.12 @ 10:13PM
It matters because they were once a bulwark of the West. It matters because there is a reason for Cultural Certitudes and respect for same. It matters because THE REASON he has a privileged life is TO SHOW an example.
It matters because England and English education, medicine, etc. is increasingly worthless. It matters because in the battles to come to save the West from Islam, they will be not to be found. It matters because at their best they still can come up with Sterling Examples like Andrew Roberts and Conrad Black.
It matters as does the love of beautiful, intelligent women, the abundance of fine steak, the watching of well bred children playing safely, and the availability of fine literature to read and civilized conversation, as well as ample fuel and the ability to travel in safety.
All of this is being threatened by the breakdown of Standards and Orders. And this young man, brave though he is, is still an ignorant young pup that needs his ears boxed by his father, if his father had any stones.
Occam's Tool| 8.24.12 @ 10:18PM
Anyhow, who really cares about the survival of the West, right?
The House of Windsor presided over the destructionof the British Empire. Elizabeth II is essentially an aged non-entity. Her father was the last decent King, his brother was a Nazi loving asshole with no respect for Crown or Duty.
Will| 8.25.12 @ 7:48PM
Conrad Black is Canadian. He's also a crook, so hardly the greatest example of British self-restraint!
Stuart Koehl| 8.26.12 @ 7:37PM
Actually, Conrad Black did nothing wrong, but was victim of a politically motivated show trial.
Cobalt| 8.24.12 @ 8:20AM
For more reasons than he can't hold his liquor, Prince Harry will never be another Winston Churchill.
Mimi | 8.24.12 @ 11:52AM
You wanna bet? Who knows what the future holds....Prim and Proper he's not but spark...he's got!
Wendy| 8.24.12 @ 8:29AM
Harry's Mom suffered so much with her in-laws, I hope Harry doesn't get silenced too, for that would surely be the finish of the Monarchy. I'll bet Fergie is laughing her head off somewhere....
Jade12| 8.24.12 @ 9:45AM
Exactly Wendy and they are hypocrites too.
Doctor Right| 8.24.12 @ 11:39AM
Sooooooo sick of hearing about Diana's "suffering."
The woman courted publicity everywhere she went, hob-knobbed with the rich and famous on every occasion, and did nothing but whine and complain.
No wonder Charles couldn't stand her...
Stuart Koehl| 8.26.12 @ 7:39PM
Oh, will wonders never cease? The Doctor and I concur in our low opinion of Princess Diana, a spoiled, puffed up Sloane Ranger who cynically exploited her position from start to finish.
Mick Lee| 8.24.12 @ 8:43AM
Too bad the days when the heir apparent could have his siblings thrown into some obscure castle dungeon in Scotland are gone.
Denver Todd| 8.24.12 @ 9:27AM
I have always gotten the feeling that the royals' military service is arranged and just for show.
OP4| 8.24.12 @ 10:46AM
I think you are correct for the older brothers - Charles and William. Harry's was very real, that's why I can't bring myself to dislike him.
Put any of the Marines or Soldiers I served with into a Vegas hotel and there could well be trouble too.
THKrupp| 8.24.12 @ 2:04PM
Im thinking of all the former and current soldiers and sailors that I know and I cannot think of any which in the same situation that would have done anything different lol.
Seek| 8.24.12 @ 2:47PM
You got that one right. Men will be men, and boys will be boys. This isn't a Monarchy problem; it's a human nature problem.
Stuart Koehl| 8.26.12 @ 7:41PM
"Single men in barracks don't grow into plaster saints", according to some English scribbler back in the days of the Widow of Windsor.
Stuart Koehl| 8.26.12 @ 7:40PM
So was Prince Andrew's service as a helo pilot inthe Falklands War.
Dai Alanye | 8.24.12 @ 9:32AM
Considering the eccentricities of their parents, isn't it rather amazing that one of the princes seems level-headed?
OP4| 8.24.12 @ 10:47AM
It is a tough call which of his parents is / was flakier.
Cpm| 8.24.12 @ 12:23PM
Which father? There seems to be some dispute. Harry is a dead ringer for Diana's former 'bodyguard'.
Nina in MA| 8.24.12 @ 9:56AM
Oh boy, you guys are being too hard on him...is he really in line for the crown? NO! So what if he's blowing off steam, testing the "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!" That's what he was thinking....and sorry, but he's not that bad to look at...
Do I think he should have done it? No. But geesh, how many "grand celebrities" have we idolized over the years only to find out that they are human and screw up once in a while...Let his big brother and his dad keep the dignity of the crown intact....just because he was caught with his knickers down doesn't mean he's a bad person.....I come from a long line of Brits and my mother, proper to the core, would be giggling like a school girl if she saw this....
C. Vernon Crisler | 8.24.12 @ 11:55AM
The problem is that he is on the public dole.
THKrupp| 8.24.12 @ 2:02PM
Im not sure thats the complete story. At one time the royal family had large estates. Im not at all an expert on this so I could be wrong. If they turned their estates over to the government in exchange for some sort of payment or an agreement that they would be supported then its merely a matter of contract. How much does their family bring in, in income just because their family exists?
Matthew Quigley| 8.24.12 @ 7:01PM
Monarchist.
These inbred fools are a throwback to the Dark Ages. If they didn't have "titles," they'd be scorned for what they are: Rednecked, cousin-marrying welfare trash.
Art| 8.24.12 @ 10:15AM
This is the stuff of giggles, nothing more.
wombat1| 8.24.12 @ 11:08AM
A little overdrawn, don't you think?
If you're worried about lessening the dignity of the Crown, how about that ridiculous shtick at the Olympic closing ceremony, where the Queen pretended to jump out of a helicopter as part of the James Bond movie? Or Prince Charles's idiotic shilling for the global warming crowd? And the Duke of Edinburgh has been traveling around for years, saying things that would get an ordinary person fired, if not garrotted.
Harry's young, strong, unattached, and a trained military pilot. Such young men have been known to get crazy and nekkid, in the company of crazy nekkid women. Las Vegas was designed and built for them to get crazy and nekkid in. ( He's in his own room, spending his own money, and spending it in the USA after all). And hey, who is there that didn't do something crazy in their early years.? Only now that Facebook has come along is there anything like a record. But if the frat houses and college bars of America could talk, to say nothing of the half the offices in the Congressional buildings..... Well?
Chug one for me, Harry, and let the good times roll! The world and its responsibilities will come soon enough.
Doctor Right| 8.24.12 @ 1:14PM
I have to agree; this is much "sturm und drang" over nothing.
No, it's not something I would do...but then again, so what?
He's 28 years old, he's been to war, he's rich, and he's in Vegas.
And...GASP!!! - he likes to drink beer and get crazy with young women!
Frankly, Harry is a lot more refreshing than Charles and (uggh!) Camilla, or Randy-Andy and Prince Edward, both of whom have been rumored to be gay.
RCV| 8.26.12 @ 3:28PM
Spot on, Dr. R!
RCV| 8.24.12 @ 11:23AM
Being the spare is tough. He's unmarried, not engaged to anyone. While the Queen may not be amused, why should anyone else care?
Mimi | 8.24.12 @ 11:46AM
I always thought this one had some spunk and GUSTO..with that RED hair and all ! Give him a break he served his country in the military and honorably so it is told.
Just goes to show the Royals too have their warts.... but like their fun also like the rest of us humans!
RCV| 8.24.12 @ 1:22PM
I'm happy to agree with you on this one, Mimi.
Pelleas| 8.24.12 @ 11:46AM
WHO THE FUCK (in THIS Country, AT LEAST..) GIVES A DAMN , about this non-news-story????
AND.. this line.."..Is it his pigeon-brained mother's genes coming through?.." shows , once and for all, the scum-bag mentality ( or lack there of any mentality, whatsoever) of the writers of this "news-site"
Doctor Right| 8.24.12 @ 1:15PM
Vulgarity and bad-language amply demonstrate your mentality.
But then again, most gays are full of self-loathing, so it's not surprising.
Butch| 8.24.12 @ 5:34PM
I'll grant you that it could have been his pigeon-brained father, too. Charlie doesn't seem to be the sharpest knife in the drawer, himself. Besides, he looks more like Alfred E. Neuman than Ted Kopple does.
Tom Kyba| 8.25.12 @ 11:56AM
Please forgive us oh great one.
Cpm| 8.24.12 @ 12:20PM
What self respecting man, a veteran no less, plays strip poker? What is he trying to tell us?
THKrupp| 8.24.12 @ 2:39PM
That he can probably pull more than 99% of the men in existance lol I dont know too many veterans that are paragons of virtue.
Doctor Right| 8.24.12 @ 3:17PM
A very rich one...with a huge hotel suite, lots of booze, and smoking-hot women who hang on your every word.
Corncob| 8.24.12 @ 2:19PM
I guess what happen in Vegas does NOT always stay in Vegas.
Mistral| 8.24.12 @ 5:20PM
Among the many coomments from bloggers on the Zionist BBC website included those who thought it was normal for a young man to behave like this and others who found it merely funny. Thankfully some did suggest a man in his position ought to be less naive about who he hangs out with. Another sensibly stated as he was not anonymous it was time he accepted his responsiblities as a significant public figue and exercised more discernment.
The BBC Editor's Picks were mostly of the former libertine type. It suggests in its turn that UK is going down the same moral pan as USA. Once great nations in terminal decline who imagine they have the world at their feet and can rewrite age-old moral norms as they please.
Keepo an eye on Ecuador and the defense of the diplomatic status of their embassy in London against the old imperial lion who has forgotten that in his old age he has lost almost all of his teeth! He has lost almost all of his moral bearings with them!
Occam's Tool| 8.24.12 @ 10:16PM
The BBC is NOT Zionist, Mistral. You have been drinking too much of Harry's stash.
Mistral| 8.25.12 @ 12:03PM
Oh yes it is Occam. You are ignorant. Shame on you. The BBC is so wonderfully zionist that you wouldn't notice it. There is ample evidence around if you look for it to understand how it is. It has become a medium of the NWO propaganda machine and City of London financial dominance brotherhood. It is dominated by zionist jews as is a large proprtion of the UK media machine.
RCV| 8.26.12 @ 3:31PM
What antisemitic claptrap, Mistral. The BBC continuously portrays the "Palestinian" Arabs as some poor put-upon victims, instead of a group of people who have rejected every attempt at reasonable compromise since 1900 and would rather destroy the Jews than build their own homeland.
obadiah| 8.24.12 @ 9:00PM
The movie "Young Prince Harry" will improve on reported facts. I understand that, until Bad Prince Harry, all Princes (especially younger ones) have behaved perfectly without exception. But what actually happened during the Mayerling Incident?
Bob S| 8.25.12 @ 1:21AM
Why do people care? Especially here, why is this notable at all? We got rid of kings and queens over 200 years ago, why are we treating them like celebrities now? You still see Prince William and Kate on tabloid magazines such a long time after they were married. I just don't get it.
Stuart Koehl| 8.26.12 @ 7:33PM
Actually, most Englishmen (Mr. Colebatch excepted) don't care a whit. If anything, they rather admire the Prince for performing admirably the role of the "spare" prince as providing "color" for the Royal Family.
Mr E. Burke| 8.25.12 @ 4:05AM
I don't really care what Harry does. I think there are far more important things to worry about. The antics of a spoiled trust fund baby is least of the world's problems. Why are we even talking about this?
At Diana's funeral, I recall a journalist calling the British Royal Family: " Just a bunch of neurotic Germans."
Mistral| 8.25.12 @ 12:06PM
They get public funding and immense privileges Mr Burke and this is why Harry's behaviour is significant - the royals in UK have not learned from any mistakes. They are arrogant, anachronistic and should be abolished but they are a protected species because they have the correct handshakes etc and good table manners.
Will| 8.25.12 @ 7:46PM
If you look at English history, you will see that we are the biggest drunks on the planet and always have been. In 18th century london people drank a pint of gin a day, and rioted when it ran out. The Empire was built by Royal Navy sailors permenantly off their heads on grog. Harry was just keeping in touch with tradition!
Stuart Koehl| 8.26.12 @ 7:31PM
Let's not forget that, in the mid-19th century, the height of the Victorian era, there were more than 50,000 prostitutes in London, and far more brothels than churches.
As far as "tradition" goes, I'm fond of Churchill's summation of the "tradition of the Navy" as "rum, sodomy and the lash"--what could be more English than those?
Stuart Koehl| 8.26.12 @ 7:29PM
Royal dignity? You mean like that provided by Edward III, young Prince Hal (before becoming Henry V), Henry VIII, Charles II, Georges I, II and IV, William IV, Edward VII and Edward VIII? Just askin'.
Mnestheus| 8.27.12 @ 12:37AM
This pedestrian prat's lese majeste would deserve transportation to the most fly bitten corner of the antipodean outback, if he weren't already there.
ClaraM | 8.27.12 @ 11:19AM
We all follow what famous or royals do to try to dream another possible life. Sometimes on doing so we forget how dream beyond our little courtyard.
Clara