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Archive for Prince Harry

Royal News Bits: March 28, 2010

Mar 28

Posted by britishroyals in Kate Middleton*, Prince Charles & Camilla, Prince Harry, Prince William | No Comments

Prince Harry is offered chance to fly fearsome Apache helicopters

Prince Harry may return to Afghanistan now that he has been judged talented enough to fly Apache helicopters. The 25-year-old Prince is said to have impressed his instructors so much during his helicopter pilots’ training course that he has been given the option of flying either Apaches or the Lynx utility helicopter.

Only the most talented trainees are offered the chance to fly Apaches, which are each worth £35 million: just 2 per cent of those who embark on the Army Air Corps’ helicopter pilots’ training course end up flying the strike aircraft.

Article: The Telegraph





Prince Charles visits British troops in Afghanistan

Prince Charles laid a wreath at a memorial at the main UK base at Camp Bastion and visited a forces hospital. The prince also travelled by helicopter to a forward operating base in Nad Ali involved in a major offensive against the Taliban, Operation Moshtarak.  [ Article: BBC News ]

Frustration over trip revealed. A frank, high-level memo which lays bare the “frustration” felt over the Prince of Wales’s trip to Afghanistan has been leaked in Whitehall, causing embarrassment to senior figures in the Foreign Office. [ Article: The Telegraph ]

William & Kate will wed in time of Rugby World Cup

Just another speculation on Prince William, Kate Middleton and their future. Palace officials have earmarked next year’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand as the perfect “honeymoon” for a new princess. Kate and William are under intense pressure within royal circles to finally name the day. William’s first official foreign visit to Australia and New Zealand earlier this year was a massive success.

And a royal aide revealed: “Everyone was amazed at how well he was received. There is a long tradition of new royal couples visiting the important Commonwealth countries as soon as possible. This would be a great opportunity if the timing holds together.”

William & Kate are said to be reluctant to wed in 2012, which would coincide with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. And 2013 is considered unlucky. So could it be next year? [Article: Daily Star]

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Prince Harry Set for Afghanistan Return

Mar 20

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Prince Harry hopes to return to the war zone

Prince Harry hopes to return to the war zone

Prince Harry could soon be back on the front line against the Taliban – as the pilot of a 200mph attack helicopter. According to sources, the 25-year-old trainee pilot has put his name down to fly the new heavily-armed £30million Lynx 9A machines. It means that the Army officer – known as Lieutenant Harry Wales – could soon be back in combat in Afghanistan.

One source said Harry, who has regularly come in the top 10% of students on his training course, was “shaping up to be a superb helicopter pilot”. The source added: “Flying the new 9A is his wish and if it is approved the only duty he can perform is flying on combat in Afghanistan.”

The Lynx 9A has a two-man crew – both trained as pilots in case one is killed or disabled in action – and two giant Rolls-Royce engines giving a top speed of 201mph.

The first four of the choppers have just been delivered to the Army. Another eight are due over the rest of the year.

Harry, who fought on the ground for ten weeks in Afghanistan, has always expressed a burning wish to go back and battle the Taliban.A spokesman for the Army said: “Lt Harry Wales could fly Apache or Lynx helicopters if he successfully completes the Army Pilots Course.”

Articles: Daily Mail | The Sun

Prince Harry is expected to graduate as a fully-qualified helicopter pilot in May.

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Prince Harry Eyes North Pole Ice Trek

Mar 20

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Practice! Prince Harry tries dragging a 240-lb sled while visiting wounded ex-servicemen

Prince Harry plans to join a charity expedition with injured servicemen to the North Pole next year. He said that he hopes to complete part of the 300-mile Arctic trek alongside amputees who lost limbs in the line of duty. The 25-year-old prince had already been named as a patron of the event, which aims to raise £1million for the charity Walking With The Wounded.

But at a launch in London he announced that he wants to go further with his support. ‘You will be glad to know that if my military commitments allow me I would love to join the team,’ he said.

Although Harry is training to become an Army Air Corps helicopter pilot and plans to return to Afghanistan in the next two years, he is hopeful of being given permission to join the month-long expedition for five days next April.

Article: Daily Mail






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Prince Harry to Qualify as Pilot in May

Mar 15

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Pilot - Prince Harry

Pilot - Prince Harry

Prince Harry will graduate as a fully-qualified helicopter pilot in May – and may return to Afghanistan later this year. He has amazed instructors by coming in the top 10% of his class after early training ­setbacks almost forced him to quit. The prince will be told next month whether his future training will be in either Lynx choppers or Apache flying gunships. Prince Harry will be presented with his helicopter wings at a special ceremony at the Army Air Corps HQ in Middle Wallop, Hants in May.

Harry now has a few minor hurdles to clear before his ­ instructors assign him to either Apaches or a Lynx squadron.

Apache training would mean Harry qualifying for Afghanistan by December. Lynx – which the prince is already flying – could get him to the front line even faster.

“Both helicopters are very much operational and flying missions in Afghanistan. So if it isn’t all over before he graduates, he will be going back there, just as he promised.”

Article: Daily Star


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Prince Harry’s Charity Hit with Another Resignation

Mar 10

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Prince Harry’s charity Sentebale is in trouble again…

Though this charity – helping poverty and AIDS stricken victims based in Lesotho – has helped countless people, Prince Harry has been obliged to rethink Sentebale’s strategy for the future and restructure its operations after a second ­unexpected resignation from the charity in a matter of weeks.

In January, executive chairman and entrepreneur Charles Denton stood down. Now Harper Brown — who was headhunted for the job of country director in Lesotho — has quit to return to Britain.

Sentebale officials insisted Brown, 50, whose ­comfortable remuneration ­package came under the spotlight when it was disclosed that Tory backer Lord Ashcroft had been solicited for a major donation to the charity, was leaving of his own free will.

But his departure is bound to re-open questions about the long-term direction of Sentebale, which Harry set up with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho 5 years ago. Details of its funding crisis emerged after the charity’s failure to honour a £30,000 pledge to a children’s home in the mountain kingdom.

Article: Daily Mail

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Republic Talk on the Royal PR Machine

Mar 9

Posted by britishroyals in HM The Queen & Duke, Kate Middleton*, Prince Charles & Camilla, Prince Harry, Prince William | 1 Comment

Here’s an insightful opinion from Emily Hill, a reporter on the Londoner’s Diary of the Evening Standard. She questions the often unreasonable and inconsistent privacy demands the Royal Family imposes on the press, and how she believes their popularity will continue to diminish over time.

“What I do want to talk about is the simultaneous claim that the Royals ought to retain their incredibly privileged position in society – their posthumous ability to shut down the telly schedule and so on – WHILST we RESTRAIN our unhealthy desire to read about their private lives – as we are constantly told we ought to do. Post Diana there’s been a concerted palace campaign against paparazzi photographs taken of the royals. Especially its junior branches.”

“In the coming years I think that the royals’ relationship with the media is only going to become more fraught. Prince Charles is deeply unpopular with many. Prince William has recently returned from Australia where 58% of Aussies want him to be the next king – compared with only 30% who want Charles. Unless Kate Middleton – or a future girlfriend of William’s in a Di mould – can bring back the Di factor I really think the monarchy itself will soon die a death – and afterwards it won’t halt the television schedule.”


Opinion: Emily Hill

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