In the past week, the tabloids and other media was agog over the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry of Britain. The Duke of Sussex, KCVO (Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order ). Several of my friends on social media posted “enough already”- type memes and commentary. I probably have a unique viewpoint among them, in that a “Combat Veteran Gets Lots of Love by the Media”.
Unique among the current British Royal family, Prince Harry served in combat, in Afghanistan, not just in uniform. His presence was kept secret for several weeks by the British press. In typical fashion, some in the media cannot keep secrets. The Australian press revealed that the Prince was in Helmond province. Against the Taliban and Al Quaeda, publishing the whereabouts of a high-value target such as the Prince was unwise, yet the prince continued to serve in theater. After serving in the British Army for ten years, he has continued to serve in a leading way but for charitable work.
Unintentionally, I believe, the news media has made a combat veteran a star. For a guy with army service, and little chance of ever becoming King ( he’s fifth in line behind his elder brother and family), I think it is pretty cool.
image source: Esquire magazine
Charitable work, past and going forward:
Truths, Half-truths, and Sea Stories 