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As a matter of protocol, the Prince must wear his decorations on any occasion where veterans are wearing theirs. He doesn't much like the idea, but as Prince of Wales, tradition dictates he receives quite a few honours.

Most of what he wears are minor ceremonial decorations - of a type awarded to tens of thousands of British and Commonwealth servicemen as a matter of participation in certain events. His Royal Highness did spend over five years as a sailor on active deployment with the Royal Navy and is as entitled to these as any other serviceman. Others are civil awards for services to charity and similar, and he's spent much of his life engaged in the type of work that receives them.

He has the Queen's Service Order of New Zealand "for valuable voluntary service to the community or meritorious and faithful services to the Crown or similar services within the public sector, whether in elected or appointed office." As the active Patron of a large number of charities operating in New Zealand, he has earned this decoration.

The Queen's Coronation Medal, Silver Jubilee Medal, and Golden Jubilee Medal are sheer courtesies awarded at the time of the Coronation and the Jubilee to tens of thousands British and Commonwealth servicemen with qualifying service. He has as much right to these as any other man who has served in the uniform.

The Canadian Forces Decoration is awarded to virtually any member of the Canadian Armed Forces who serves twelve years with good conduct. He is Colonel-In-Chief of seven Canadian Regiments, and this is qualifying service.

The New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal is similar to the Coronation and Jubilee Medals. A courtesy award given to a great many people who served in the New Zealand Defence Force in honour of the commemoration of a particular situation.

In every case, the Prince of Wales has earned the medals he is wearing through qualifying service. He has a number of others he hasn't earned - he isn't wearing them on this occasion. He's only wearing the ones he has earned.