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Britain
Prince Harry Determined to Serve on Front Line Called
2006-04-13
EFL
SANDHURST, England - Prince Harry stood tall with saber drawn Wednesday during ceremonies marking his graduation from Britain's elite military academy, marching proudly in front of his beaming grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, as he completed 40 weeks of training.

The 21-year-old second son of Prince Charles entered Sandhurst military academy in May 2005 and trained to become an army officer in the Blues and Royals regiment of the Household Cavalry, one of the British army's oldest units. He will be eligible for future military service in Iraq or Afghanistan. The prince has spoken of his determination to take a place on the front line alongside his colleagues if called.

Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke of Edinburgh looked on with pride as the cadets paraded around the academy's grounds about 40 miles southwest of London. The queen, in a peach overcoat and matching hat, delivered a short speech of congratulations — and advice. "If you look at the careers of successful officers, you will find that, no matter how clever they have been, what really matters is how they related to people under their command," she said.

She noted that preparing to be an officer is more than learning some basic military procedures — but rather the first step in becoming a leader. "It was not by chance that the motto chosen for the Royal Military Academy is 'Serve to Lead,'" she said.

Harry will serve in an armored reconnaissance unit and train to become a troop commander, in charge of 11 men and four light tanks.
Rule, Britannia, rule the waves;
Britons never will be slaves.

The nations, not so blest as thee,
Must, in their turns, to tyrants fall:
While thou shalt flourish great and free,
The dread and envy of them all.

Still more majestic shalt thou rise,
More dreadful, from each foreign stroke:
As the loud blast that tears the skies,
Serves but to root thy native oak.
Posted by:lotp

#13  For those of you feeling sorry for Harry, ie (being thrown to the wolves); he will be shadowed by two Royal 'uniformed' body guards, with license to kill for so much as sneezing on the Heir, in behalf of the Throne; sorry MI-6!
Posted by: smn   2006-04-13 21:54  

#12  The Royals revenge the princess. We hear he already can't abide non-dancers and muzwats. Beware Mohammad Al Fayed, he'll soon be leading the SAS against your friends and family.... and maybe even your FAT WHINING ARSSS!
Posted by: Besoeker   2006-04-13 15:29  

#11  Ditto Andrew "The Dancing Duke".

Prince Andrew seems to have gotten the balls of the family:
In April 2, 1982, the British colony of the Falkland Islands was invaded by Argentina, an event that led to the Falklands War. Prince Andrew's ship, HMS Invincible was one of only two operational aircraft carriers available to the Royal Navy, and as such was to play a major role in the Royal Navy taskforce being assembled to sail south to retake the islands.

At first the British government were apprehensive of allowing Prince Andrew to remain on Invincible, and wished to move him to a desk job. The prospect of the son of the Queen being killed in action was a possibility, and the government wished to avoid such a circumstance. However, the Queen insisted that Prince Andrew be allowed to remain with his ship, and so he joined the Invincible as it sailed south, as a Sea King helicopter co-pilot.

Throughout the conflict Prince Andrew flew on various missions, including Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Anti-Surface Warfare search (ASUW), as well as acting as an Exocet missile decoy; a hitherto secret tactic which the Prince inadvertently revealed to journalists after the war. He also helped in casualty evacuation, transport and Search and Air Rescue (SAR). When the conflict ended, and Invincible returned to Portsmouth, the Queen and Prince Philip joined other families of the other crew to welcome the vessel home.
Posted by: Steve   2006-04-13 14:51  

#10  Nah, Chuckles went to the Sandcastle too. Ditto Andrew "The Dancing Duke".

The proof, as they say, is in the pudding.
Posted by: mojo   2006-04-13 14:18  

#9  I give him props sounds like he is determined to become what his Dad never could be
A MAN AND A WORTHY LEADER OF MEN AND NATION.
The Queen is a old school hardcore and it looks she has groomed her heir to be quite well.
Posted by: C-Low   2006-04-13 13:17  

#8  yep! One fine heir and one fine spare.
Posted by: 2b   2006-04-13 12:31  

#7  Hence, I wouldn't call Prince William "dosy" -- assuming that he's like his brother, then Prince Charles sired two good sons.
Posted by: Edward Yee   2006-04-13 12:28  

#6  Actually, Prince William is also at Sandhurst as an officer cadet since January; Prince Harry is simply graduating earlier (having entered in May 2005).
Posted by: Edward Yee   2006-04-13 12:26  

#5  As they say, it skips a generation. Thank God Queen Elizabeth understands that ol' adage.

Charles, you done good ol' boy. You married well and produced a fine son. Your job is done.
Posted by: 2b   2006-04-13 11:44  

#4  LOL Sarge!
Posted by: 6   2006-04-13 11:39  

#3  Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke of Edinburgh looked on with pride
makes me wonder about dear old dad while adoring the Muslim lifestyle so much, how he'd see things if say Harry goes to Iraq.
Good for you Harry.
Posted by: Jan   2006-04-13 11:25  

#2  Good for him! I have known many young men for whom the Military has turned thier lives around.
Posted by: Cyber Sarge   2006-04-13 11:02  

#1  Fair play to him,if only more would join the forces instead of doing fck all with life.He gets my respect alot more then his oddball dad or dosy brother! Hes gonna be a bullet magnet though surly? lol.
Posted by: ShepUK   2006-04-13 09:54  

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