Posted on 02/28/2008 3:11:09 PM PST by NormsRevenge
LONDON (AFP) - Prince Harry, who has been fighting the Taliban on the front line in Afghanistan, admitted in an interview released Thursday that he sometimes wishes he was not a privileged, well-known royal.
Speaking to reporters before he left for the war-torn country in an interview that was supposed to be held back until his safe return, the 23-year-old said he hoped that he would be treated as "just a normal officer".
And asked whether, following an about-turn by Britain's top military brass that meant he would not be posted to Iraq last year, he ever wished he was not a prince, Harry replied: "I wish that quite a lot actually."
"But yes, you know (elder brother Prince) William and I have said numerous times that there's a lot of opportunities that we miss out on as well as we also got a lot of chances -- for who we are."
The prince said he felt that being with the troops in Afghanistan was a good opportunity to be treated as just another soldier.
"I think dressed in the same uniform as numerous other people, thousands of other people in Afghanistan will give me one of the best chances to be just a normal person," he said.
"That will be massively important for me, it could be a turning point."
I hear ya, Harry. I hear ya. But we must carry on...
Britain's Prince Harry (3rd R) warms up around a fire with other soldiers at dawn, in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan February 19, 2008. The government is reviewing Prince Harry's presence in Afghanistan, where he has been deployed with the army for 2-1/2 months, following leaks in the international media that he was deployed there, the Defence Ministry said on February 28, 2008. Photograph taken February 19, 2008. REUTERS/John Stillwell/Pool (AFGHANISTAN)
I couldn’t handle fame.
If I want to go for a nice quiet walk in the woods I do so and nobody bothers me.
And such humility is the mark of a real Prince. Harry's dad should take notes.
How’d he make it out of that Inbred Looney Bin?? Hip Hip Harry!
Pray for W and Our British Allies
Aw he wants to be a princes.
Shoulder your burden well, Leftenant. Do that which you were trained to do, and your soldiers will do likewise.
That’s all we can ask.
The problem, Harry, is that if you keep acting with such humility and courage, England won’t want to get rid of royalty in your lifetime. Thus, you’re kind of stuck. If only you acted like your parents, you might live to see England getting rid of the throne.
Having said that, let’s get on with the business of kicking butt and having an election here at home with everyone here to participate! Viva le difference!
You are what you are, Harry. Make the most of it!
He should be throned as a King right now. No contest.
He makes me want to sing "God Save the King" and I'm not even British!
Give ‘em hell, Harry. Come home safe and sound, bloke.
“Cry ‘God for Harry, England and Saint George!’”
I guess he could always abdicate. Wonder what would happen to his life if he did that?
So he wants to be ‘regular’ eh? How ‘bout NOT drawing attention to yourself by wearing a Nazi get-up?
That was some time ago. We all make mistakes
It was at an Afrika Korps uniform worn at fancy dress party with a military theme. Some snivveling s**t who probably categorises themselves as a ‘friend’ probably took the pic and sold it to the media, were they gleefully potrayed the whole thing out of context to flog newspapers.
It’s not like he was delivering a speech at the United Synagogue in London on Holocaust memorial day....
That was three years ago.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4170083.stm
He also needs to stop “partying”.
Harry is third in line (after his dad, Charles and brother William). Back when he was born, the brothers were called (I remember) the ‘Heir and a Spare’ by the British press. After the acrimony of their parents divorce, the press (at least the British tabs) questioned Harry’s paternity. William was the glamourous future King; Harry was the dopey, wild ginger child. It has come full circle now...William seems to ‘take after’ the Windsors more and more (poor kid, he is already balding) and Harry is now ‘popular one.’ That they both have chosen to serve in the military should make Queen Elizabeth proud. The contrast between this generation (and Charles) is striking. That is why many articles theorize that Queen Elizabeth is still seated to by pass Charles (and the harm he would do to the Monoarchy) and allow William to succeed her.
You posted: He also needs to stop “partying”.
***
He’s 23. I wasn’t completely ready to stop partying at that age...
No, you need to allow a young man his mistakes and the chance to grow out of them. How about you? Do anything you weren’t quite proud of? Shall I judge you by them and only them?
It wasn't until the internet that I discovered how many perfect people there are in existence. They've never made a mistake, gotten a parking ticket, their breath is minty fresh & they pay their credit card bill off each month--on time & IN FULL.
Absolutely...somebody turned a pretty pound with that picture.
One would think that a “royal” would use a bit of discretion in order to avoid embarrassing the family, especially when photographers are more than eager to snap a shot of them doing something stupid.
Sue, I am sooo perfect, I pay my neighbors bills too.
And they aren’t fat either. LOL!
I’m not perfect but I was never dumb enough to be drunk in public while wearing a Nazi outfit knowing full well the irony that the family lead the fight against Nazi Germany...
...in front of the paparazzi.
LOLPaMom
Don’t forget their kids. Mine are perfect, they never break anything, talk back, wrestle, fight or wipe their mouths on their sleeves.
Now, where is a sweet photo of Harry so I can post: Not Guilty?!?!
I would second that ‘Not Guilty’ (and a cyber high five to you WV!). Harry—making being a ginger cool.
Harry has paid for his indiscretion... and because of "fans" like you, will have to keep paying for it.
I think that's punishment enough.
He is aware that photographers are always present, professional or not. The end result was the same.
So have I been a FReeper a long time. Like Sue, it amazes me how many perfect FReepers there are. Always knowing what to do in every situation and never, never making a mistake.
And especially never making a mistake, even in their early 20s.
LOL! Guess I’ll have to settle for being a mere mortal, multiple imperfections & all.
And I vote a most definite NOT GUILTY on Harry. Looks like he’s turning out just fine.
Heck... they haven’t made a mistake since the first day of potty training. LOL!
Medal?
I lived in Britain for 4 years and even though I’m not British, I knew enough of the kind of incessant media coverage that family goes through. Even Hollywood stars might take some comfort knowing that they are not Royal. It is nothing like what a typical American might imagine. Every time those people sneeze, the photographers are on them. Harry and his brother don’t have to do much to get noticed. Unfortunately for them, the only way to avoid attention would be to stay home. Sad but true.
Well done, Harry. Well done, indeed.
Yowser. Not guilty.
Definitely ‘Not Guilty.’
Not guilty and I’d hit it! ;) OK, not really, but only cause I’m married...
Unlike their dad, these two are turning out pretty darned decent. God bless 'em. It can't be easy to live in such an incessantly spotlighted fishbowl your entire life.
I’ll dye my hair and we can swap, ‘kay buddy?
hats off to the kid ....he’s great role model for his countrymen and our countrymen for that matter....
but ENOUGH IS ENOUGH...THE lamestream media is constantly harranguing us with this stale story BLECCCCH
I HOPE THEY APPLY THIS CRITICISM DIRECTLY TO THEIR HEADS...
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