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Prince Harry: time to strip this royal rascal of his title Time to strip Prince Harry of his title
(about 17 hours later)
What shall we do with Prince Harry? It hasn't even been two weeks since he represented the Queen at the closing ceremony of the London Olympics, and there he is in VEGAS, NAKED, playing STRIP BILLIARDS.What shall we do with Prince Harry? It hasn't even been two weeks since he represented the Queen at the closing ceremony of the London Olympics, and there he is in VEGAS, NAKED, playing STRIP BILLIARDS.
Really, if that isn't winning the trifecta, I don't know what is.Really, if that isn't winning the trifecta, I don't know what is.
I have an idea for him and for other members of the royal family who gad about and undermine the hard work of the rest of their team (Prince Andrew, anyone?)I have an idea for him and for other members of the royal family who gad about and undermine the hard work of the rest of their team (Prince Andrew, anyone?)
Let's strip them of their royal status.Let's strip them of their royal status.
The model for this is Fergie, expelled from the family upon her divorce. Now she is free to live the life of an international Real Housewife, without any fear of a royal backlash. Who cares whether she parties in Ibiza, gets arrested in Turkey or goes bankrupt in London? She's a D-list celebrity private citizen.The model for this is Fergie, expelled from the family upon her divorce. Now she is free to live the life of an international Real Housewife, without any fear of a royal backlash. Who cares whether she parties in Ibiza, gets arrested in Turkey or goes bankrupt in London? She's a D-list celebrity private citizen.
No fear of her showing up at royal weddings or getting blasted at jubilee celebrations. If she cadges a lift from her daughters to grab free seats at a concert or sporting event – so what? She's no longer official.No fear of her showing up at royal weddings or getting blasted at jubilee celebrations. If she cadges a lift from her daughters to grab free seats at a concert or sporting event – so what? She's no longer official.
We could be kind and go so far as to offer members of the royal family to opt out of royalty on their own. I bet Harry would jump at the chance. He could be like King Edward VIII and abdicate – not from the throne in his case, but from being third in line to it. We'd no longer call him prince, and in return we'd give him back some of his privacy.We could be kind and go so far as to offer members of the royal family to opt out of royalty on their own. I bet Harry would jump at the chance. He could be like King Edward VIII and abdicate – not from the throne in his case, but from being third in line to it. We'd no longer call him prince, and in return we'd give him back some of his privacy.
He could get as drunk as he likes and strip of all over the place –
just like any old toff. Zzzzz to that, we'd say.		He could get as drunk as he likes and strip of all over the place –
just like any old toff. Zzzzz to that, we'd say.
He'd still have a job. He has a real job in the army already that has nothing to do with being royal. You have to give him credit for it.He'd still have a job. He has a real job in the army already that has nothing to do with being royal. You have to give him credit for it.
He's a captain in the Blues and Royals and has served in Afghanistan –
at his own behest. But if you remember, he had to be pulled out because of publicity over his royal status.		He's a captain in the Blues and Royals and has served in Afghanistan –
at his own behest. But if you remember, he had to be pulled out because of publicity over his royal status.
So being royal is nothing but a pain for him.So being royal is nothing but a pain for him.
It's nothing but a pain for the rest of the family, either. Imagine being the Queen today. It's your diamond jubilee year and you've clocked dozens of hours celebrating round the country, standing in the freezing rain on a Thames barge and pretending to parachute into the Olympic stadium. From a PR point of view this has been one of your best years ever. Until now. You were back on top. And now this. It's tiresome and embarrassing and has nothing to do with all the work you've done. But it's become the story and you have to deal with it.It's nothing but a pain for the rest of the family, either. Imagine being the Queen today. It's your diamond jubilee year and you've clocked dozens of hours celebrating round the country, standing in the freezing rain on a Thames barge and pretending to parachute into the Olympic stadium. From a PR point of view this has been one of your best years ever. Until now. You were back on top. And now this. It's tiresome and embarrassing and has nothing to do with all the work you've done. But it's become the story and you have to deal with it.
And you know it'll happen again – and again and again.And you know it'll happen again – and again and again.
The army is apparently having Harry in for an interview without coffee, which is military-speak for a minor reprimand. The Queen should have him in for an interview without tea, which could be the new euphemism for the meeting before 'retirement'. Afterwards he could give a press conference, announcing that he is renouncing official royal status.The army is apparently having Harry in for an interview without coffee, which is military-speak for a minor reprimand. The Queen should have him in for an interview without tea, which could be the new euphemism for the meeting before 'retirement'. Afterwards he could give a press conference, announcing that he is renouncing official royal status.
Remember when Princess Diana announced she was retiring from public life? She knew what she was doing. Everyone loved her for it. Prince Harry should follow in his mother's not his father's footsteps. Strip off his crown. Retire from royalty. Leave the firm and join the crowd.Remember when Princess Diana announced she was retiring from public life? She knew what she was doing. Everyone loved her for it. Prince Harry should follow in his mother's not his father's footsteps. Strip off his crown. Retire from royalty. Leave the firm and join the crowd.
Then we'd leave him alone.Then we'd leave him alone.