Get A Real Job
Duncan noticed that CBS was asking the burning question: “Will Prince William Ever Find A Real Job?“
For the record and the pea brains at CBS, the BBC reports that Cornet William Wales has been assigned to the Blues and Royals regiment following graduation from Sandhurst and is being sent to the 5-month troop leader school for armored reconnaissance units. [A Cornet is a cavalry second lieutenant in the British army.]
It is expected he will later transfer to the RAF, probably becoming a pilot if he can qualify, and then a stint with the Royal Navy. As heir to the throne he is expected to serve in all of the major military branches, as he will be the leader of the military as king.
While his younger brother, Prince Harry, apparently likes the military and has chosen to become a career army officer, I don’t think William really wanted to do this, but he has obligations. Even though he will one day inherit his “real” job, the family demands that he jump through all of the hoops, and check off all of the qualifications.
The guy’s girl friend is subject to parliamentary inquiries for crying out loud. It’s bad enough when your parents start asking about whom you’re dating, but he has to put up with politicians.
As for CBS: being a military officer is a real job, a hell of a lot more real than putting on makeup and reading a teleprompter.
7 comments
As heir to the throne he is expected to serve in all of the major military branches, as he will be the leader of the military as king.
Now not that I Favor Hereditary Monarchies (as a rule) but this qualifications seesm quite appropriate…and just THINK of all the trouble we could avoid if it were one for our Presidents! (*snark*) Shrubs would have been a flit in his old man’s imagination as POTUS 43 to bookend POTUS 41.
The British royals at least take the job seriously and prepare for it in practical ways. The royals of a number of countries go through the officers course at Sandhurst, the only time in their lives that they have to wash and iron their own clothes.
I wouldn’t be surprised if William has to take some agricultural and management courses as Charles’ main income is from his estates as Duke of Cornwall.
I am no fervent royalist but for CBS to say that is pretty insulting. William has a bit of a wait until he gains the throne. Wlizabeth is Britain’s 5th longest serving Monarch. Given that her mum loved to a ripe old age I would not be surprised if she lived to 2016 and beat Victoria’s reign. Then his father will have the throne. I it could be at least 20 years before he becomes King William V.
At the very least having him do things like this keeps him occupied – heirs and spares with time on their hands have found scandalous ways to amuse themselves – Edwards VII and VIII spring to mind. On the other hand it could well help make him a good monarch. I doubt we will become a republic before he gets his turn.
He at least understands the job ahead and is working to qualify for it with education and experience.
Andrew flew helicopters in the Falklands War, and that isn’t an easy berth. Hell, flying a chopper off a ship, even without people shooting at you, is pretty iffy.
Frankly Harry is bonkers running around in Scimitars. They aren’t that well armored.
It’s called duty, a concept that a lot of US political leaders are unfamiliar with.
If the talking heads at CBS actually wrote what they read I might cut them some slack, but they merely read, like failed actors who can’t remember their lines.
Depending on how old William is when his grandmother dies, it’s possible Charles will just pass on the whole king job, return to Cornwall, and let William have the job. Charles is not a lucky name for British kings.
I can’t see Charles not taking the throne. He has waiting 54 years for the chance now, I can’t see him passing the opportunity/ He desn’t have to be Charles III, he can take a different name on accession just like his father Albert did.
I guess I’ve seen a few programs that had me thinking he would rather do a lot of things other than taking over the family “firm.” I’ve seen a number of things about his Cornwall holdings that are impressive from a sustainable farming standpoint.
I hope Charles retains the name and becomes Charles III. Charles I doesn’t impress me, but Charles II is one historical figure I’d most love to meet.
Managing the Duchy of Cornwall as well as he has (yes, I know he has plenty of advisors, but he is certainly knowledgeable) – heck, that’s good training for a Prime Minister.