Prince Harry Walked Away from Royal Duties – And the Military’s Respect
In the present day, Prince Harry can only be seen in civilian clothing at official engagements after being stripped of his titles. | Source: REUTERS/Hagen Hopkins/POOL
- Meghan Markle deemed the Queen’s decision to strip Prince Harry of his military duties as “unnecessary.”
- This reaction shows how little Meghan knows about the very country that has given her so much in life.
- The Queen has since been vindicated in her decision, showing once again why she has the reputation she does.
Prince Harry and his military background are well known. He spent time in Afghanistan, and his service to his country should never be forgotten. But by the same token, let’s not pretend he was some sort of war hero.
He spent a shade over seven months in Afghanistan, which is commendable. Still, I’m sure Prince Harry himself would be the first to admit that far more military personnel carry out longer stints with little to no recognition.
When both he and Meghan Markle decided to turn their back on their royal duties in exchange for a million-dollar mansion in California and a life of luxury with little responsibility, Harry knew the consequences.
Meghan Markle deemed Queen’s decision to strip Harry of his military appointments as “unnecessary”
According to the Daily Mirror and Finding Freedom, Meghan told friends that she believed the Queen stripping Prince Harry of his military appointments was a step too far:
It was so unnecessary. And it’s not just taking something away from him, it’s also that entire military veteran community. You can see how much he means to them, too. So why? The powers [of the institution] are unfortunately greater than me.
Perhaps I’m missing something, and Meghan is actually an expert on how the British military operates? Otherwise, how would she know what is necessary or not?
The Queen doesn’t arrive at any decision lightly. She hasn’t reached where she is today as one of the world’s most respected and powerful women by acting on impulse or without proper due diligence.
No, the Queen will have deliberated over and sought opinion on the matter.
Video: Prince Harry made his decision, and must live with the consequences!
Was the Queen right to strip Prince Harry of his military position?
As has been the case more often than not, Queen Elizabeth has been utterly vindicated in her actions regarding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
No sooner had news leaked that the Sussexes were looking to stand down than military sentiment began to emerge, with former captain James Glancy commenting to the Telegraph:
Prince Harry has every right to want to balance his responsibilities between the Royal family and his wife and young family. But first and foremost, Harry was a commissioned officer who pledged allegiance to the Queen, and the Queen is his grandmother, so when push comes to shove, Queen and country come first.
One important fact that those who were critical of the Queen’s decision when it came to Prince Harry and his military duties seem to misunderstand is the sacrifices military personnel make to their own family life to serve their country.
Captain Glancy continued:
[Marines and military were] very upset, if not disgusted by the disrespect to the Queen by not discussing this. Everybody agrees that if he wants to leave these positions, he’s absolutely entitled to have another life, and he’s entitled to live overseas. But you can’t do this half and half. You’re either in or out.
The Queen had no choice in doing what she did. The reaction since has vindicated her decision
When it comes to matters of the British military, rather than second-guessing the Queen, Meghan Markle should have been educating herself a little more on the country that has given her so much.
Prince Harry chose Hollywood and millions of dollars over his responsibilities, and that’s fine, but you can’t have your cake and eat it.
Meghan pointed out how much Prince Harry means to the British military’s men and women as a reason for the Queen not to remove him.
What she failed to understand was that those feelings would completely change the minute Prince Harry ditched his country and duties. The Queen knew exactly what the reaction would be, and she simply got ahead of the curve on the matter.
Disclaimer: The opinions in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of CCN.com.
