Prince William: Pundit says ‘we’re on precipice of a lot of change’

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

The future King, who has completed more than seven years of full-time military service, is likely to be heartbroken by his inability to comment on the devastation caused in the Middle East.

In 2010, William commented on his intention to serve in Afghanistan like his brother Harry, saying he had a “real determination to go out there”, but security issues were raised to prevent this – especially after Harry was extracted over safety concerns in 2008.

As a future king and senior royal, The Duke of Cambridge has to remain politically neutral, and therefore cannot comment on the current climate in Afghanistan.

The future monarch is unable to comment on the current circumstances where jihadist extremists have seized control forcing Afghans, civilians and military personnel to be evacuated.

While British law doesn’t demand it, royal tradition, as followed by the Queen, extends her political neutrality to her entire family.

During Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, maintaining her political neutrality has been one of her sole focuses, and is something that her son Prince Charles, and her grandson Prince William have upheld too.

It is believed they follow the practice of the Nolan Principles, which asserts that future leaders must be selfless, objective, accountable and open among other qualities.

The Nolan Principles, established by John Major, a previous UK Prime Minister, refers to qualities that those in public office, including the Royal Family, are supposed to follow.

One of the “Seven Principles of Public Life”, refers to the quality of objectivity, whereby any decisions conducted by those in public office should be made “impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias”.

Senior royal status often means individuals are restricted in their freedom of speech, freedom of religion, right to privacy, and freedom of travel, while there are expectations and conventions that must be followed.

It comes as William’s brother, Prince Harry, and his wife Meghan Markle released a statement commenting on the Afghanistan crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic and the humanitarian disaster in Haiti.

After stepping back as senior members of the Royal Family, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are not subjected to the same protocol and can freely speak about these subjects.

Prince Harry served in the Army for ten years, undertook two tours of Afghanistan, and continues to support servicemen and veterans through his Invictus Games Foundation.

DON’T MISS 
Charles offers surprise olive branch to Harry amid Afghanistan row [REVEAL] 
Meghan and Harry make UK return even less likely with new bid [INSIGHT] 
Meghan and Harry urge fans to support Afghan women in heartfelt post [REPORT]

In the statement, Meghan and Harry said the Taliban’s advance in Afghanistan has left them “speechless” and “heartbroken”.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams advised on the situation stating: “The crisis in Afghanistan is one of the most serious the Western Alliance has faced.

“The monarchy is above party politics, any comment a working member of the Royal Family made would be at the instigation of the Government.”

He says: “In contrast, Harry and Meghan have no such constraints.

“Harry, who has served twice in Afghanistan, has spoken about the ties that bind the ‘international Invictus community’ many of whom have served in Afghanistan and appealed for veterans to offer support to each other at this difficult time.”

“Their charity Archewell put out a statement offering support to the military community in Afghanistan and to the Afghan people who are suffering so much. This is clearly constructive.

“It is also important to bear in mind that their intervention will receive the attention it gets because they are members of the royal family.

“Owing to their unusual situation they are able to speak out.”

In 2020, the Duchess of Sussex encouraged US citizens to vote in the presidential election, but in a televised special revealing the Time 100 list which the pair attended as alumni, Harry commented that in “this election, I’m not able to vote in the US”.

He said: “But many of you may not have known that I’ve never been able to vote in the UK my entire life.”

After commenting on political affairs, the Telegraph stated the prince was “risking a diplomatic row by stepping in”.

However in a statement issued to Roya Nikkah, royal editor of the Sunday Times, Buckingham Palace was not concerned by political ramifications of Harry’s comments as he is “not a working member of the Royal Family”.

It reflected that “any comments he makes are made in a personal capacity” so would not defy the protocol followed by serving members of the Royal Family.

Source: Read Full Article