# Does anyone \*care\* about Prince Harry? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 16, 2005, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-care-about-prince-harry/284986 "2005-01-16T05:29:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-care-about-prince-harry/284986/21 "2005-01-16T17:14:15Z")
Actually, I think he may well have known what he was doing. Not he particularly cares for Nazism, but that he simply felt like rakking off the world. Could be his of way of giving it all the finger. But, be that as it may, I generally dislike the entire tabloid structure. I don’t care about Prince Harry, and was somewhat pleasantly schadenfreuded when Diana kicked it. Except that the tabloids still haven’t stopped runnign atories about great she was. ---
**Author:** ![Futile\_Gesture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f05b48/32.png) [@Futile\_Gesture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Futile_Gesture)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-care-about-prince-harry/284986/22 "2005-01-16T17:17:08Z")
> [@Alma](#): > > Um, I mean to say that I do know it means “ginger” but I’m not sure what attributes are associated with that. Those attributes would be ‘none’, but apparently it’s still ok to make unpleasant generalisations about people on the basis of their hair colour. Kind of filling in for the humour-impared in the place of “the Irish” or “the blacks”. Where would we be without a minority to be snide about, eh? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-care-about-prince-harry/284986/23 "2005-01-16T18:47:30Z")
I don’t give a shot about him, nor did I give one about his mum. Didn’t we fight a war to be rid of these people? ---
**Author:** ![Alma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecd19e/32.png) [@Alma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alma)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-care-about-prince-harry/284986/24 "2005-01-16T19:47:36Z")
> [@Futile Gesture](#): > > Those attributes would be ‘none’, but apparently it’s still ok to make unpleasant generalisations about people on the basis of their hair colour. > > Kind of filling in for the humour-impared in the place of “the Irish” or “the blacks”. Where would we be without a minority to be snide about, eh? :rolleyes: Yeah, that’s kind of what I thought, unfortunately. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-care-about-prince-harry/284986/25 "2005-01-16T20:35:05Z")
No. I’m tired of the Royals, and I’m sure they’re quite fed up with the rest of us. I wish for all concerned that they could simply abdicate and move away to some remote castle in Scotland to live out the rest of their lives in relative isolation and anonymity (if that is at all possible). I’m tired of the lurid curiosity in their sordid affairs, and I think the day is long past when the whole concept of Monarchy was so obsolescent as to be an absurdly ponderous albatros for the British nation to voluntarily chain around their own necks. It’s turned into a sadistically voyeuristic obsession with a frilly and frumpy circus act, where the spectators and the spectacle alike wallow in indignity for the sake of an antiquated “institution” that once had its foot firmly on the neck of the people. Enough of the Royals. Let it all die finally, for the sake of all that is worthy of our time and attention, and rid us of this blight on human memory. ---
**Author:** ![gum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bbe5ce/32.png) [@gum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gum)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-care-about-prince-harry/284986/26 "2005-01-16T20:49:22Z")
Albatros? What flavor? ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-care-about-prince-harry/284986/27 "2005-01-16T20:50:55Z")
[QUOTE=Loopydude…No. I’m tired of the Royals, and I’m sure they’re quite fed up with the rest of us. I wish for all concerned that they could simply abdicate and move away to some remote castle in Scotland to live out the rest of their lives in relative isolation and anonymity\>…[/QUOTE] Oi ! What has Scotland done to deserve that? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-care-about-prince-harry/284986/28 "2005-01-16T20:59:19Z")
It irks me that this behaviour, which does not fill me with faith in Harry’s potential diplomatic abilities, still does not seem to have resulted in a greater republican movement. Juvenile stupidity it may be, but when a chunk of the public seem to acknowledge some kind of pre-ordained authority on the royals’ part, it worries me that he’s seen as a future figurehead for this country! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Devil_s_Grandmother)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-care-about-prince-harry/284986/29 "2005-01-16T21:05:49Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > I think that sums it up. It’s the extreme insulation that is upsetting people; he is so insulated from the real world that he doesn’t realize that this is a really, really, really bad idea. Can’t say I care much, but the part that gave me a :dubious: was: if he’s so isolated how the heck did some retainer/servant/secretary/bodyguard not TELL HIM this was a really bad idea? You’d think the 3rd in line to the throne would have some sort of handler attached to his retinue. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Badger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/848f3c/32.png) [@Dead\_Badger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Badger)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-care-about-prince-harry/284986/30 "2005-01-16T21:20:49Z")
Private Eye satirises this whole obsession best with its spoof headlines: **19-year-old boy goes for a drink with friends** **Blonde boy dates girl** **18-year-old gets mediocre A-level grades** _etc. ad nauseam_ ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-care-about-prince-harry/284986/31 "2005-01-16T21:46:09Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > I think that sums it up. It’s the extreme insulation that is upsetting people; he is so insulated from the real world that he doesn’t realize that this is a really, really, really bad idea. > > People like to hate people like this or Paris Hilton (who is imminently hateable). They like to feel that they are better people. Oh. OH. OH!!! What a _brilliant_ idea! Marry Prince Henry to Paris Hilton! Think of the advantages: She’s got enough money that they wouldn’t have to keep sucking on the public teat. She’s got a runty dog, too, so there’s a common link to get her in good with the M.I.L. She could do another roadshow, hitting all the historic old homes and such, and do such hilarious things as not being able to flush an old style toilet. Neither of them will bore the other with excessively intelligent conversation. She will undoubtedly supply the tabloids with an unending stream of sex scandals and stupid utterances. She’ll look just dandy on your money, assuming the older one gets knocked off somehow. Really, it’s a match made in heaven. Just be sure to sterilize her before the wedding, right? ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-care-about-prince-harry/284986/32 "2005-01-17T08:46:35Z")
If Prince Harry and Paris Hilton married each other, I am pretty sure the universe would implode. ---
**Author:** ![SallyCan\_tDance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@SallyCan\_tDance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SallyCan_tDance)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-care-about-prince-harry/284986/33 "2005-01-17T08:50:29Z")
> [@Alma](#): > > Sorry, I don’t know what “ginge” means, could you please explain? He’s bringing down the reputation of bloodnuts everywhere! Seriously, any degree of give-a-shit-ness can be summed up thusly: Edward VIII. 1937 - abdicated. 1938 - shakin’ Hitler’s hand. 1939 - thousands of British and Commonwealth boys around Harry’s age getting blown up to save _ **King and Country.** _ That’s why people give a shit. Tell me again how the aristocracy are of any use whatsoever to the UK? ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-care-about-prince-harry/284986/34 "2005-01-17T12:32:24Z")
Who? No, I don’t care a bit. But what is it exactly that the royals DO anyway? ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-care-about-prince-harry/284986/35 "2005-01-17T14:09:51Z")
> [@CanvasShoes](#): > > Who? > > No, I don’t care a bit. But what is it exactly that the royals DO anyway? They are heads of state, similar to a president as opposed to a prime minister. Parliamentary governments ordinarily do not invest the same person with responsiblities both as head of government and head of state. ---
**Author:** ![paulberserker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@paulberserker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paulberserker)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-care-about-prince-harry/284986/36 "2005-01-17T14:23:29Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > They are heads of state, similar to a president as opposed to a prime minister. Parliamentary governments ordinarily do not invest the same person with responsiblities both as head of government and head of state. The Royal family are certainly _not_ similar to a president. They make no decisions as to the running of the country in the same way your president would. They are token remnants of a monarchy we should have got rid of years ago, who are now a tourist attraction more than anything else. I believe the PM may have to make a cursory nod to the Queen over one or two issues for the sake of ceremony, but thats it. She has no say in it otherwise. At least find out what the fuck you’re talking about before making a post like that. You are wrong. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-care-about-prince-harry/284986/37 "2005-01-17T14:25:19Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > They are heads of state, similar to a president as opposed to a prime minister. Parliamentary governments ordinarily do not invest the same person with responsiblities both as head of government and head of state. Well, I thought that’s what the parliment and the prime minister,he the head of state? Okay so America has a pres, England has the queen, not the prime minister? Soooo…then,what exactly is the prime minister’s job then? I always thought he was more of their version of “pres” and that the royals were mere figureheads, leftovers from the middle ages so to speak, with more power of course. I know I knew this stuff in HS, and in college too, but damned if I can remember the particulars. Thanks Sorry for the hijack. LOVE the suggestion of a Paris Hilton/Prince Harry wedding. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-care-about-prince-harry/284986/38 "2005-01-17T14:27:23Z")
> [@paulberserker](#): > > The Royal family are certainly _not_ similar to a president. They make no decisions as to the running of the country in the same way your president would. They are token remnants of a monarchy we should have got rid of years ago, who are now a tourist attraction more than anything else. I believe the PM may have to make a cursory nod to the Queen over one or two issues for the sake of ceremony, but thats it. She has no say in it otherwise. > > At least find out what the fuck you’re talking about before making a post like that. You are wrong. At least read a post before criticizing it. I went out of my way to explain that it was different from a president who is both head of state and head of government. A head of state doesn’t run a country. They run ceremonies. And since you got all pissy, fuck you. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-care-about-prince-harry/284986/39 "2005-01-17T14:27:26Z")
> [@CanvasShoes](#): > > Well, I thought that’s what the parliment and the prime minister,he the head of state? grrr, missing some words there, the middle of that sentence is SUPPOSED to say **isn’t he the** , not ,he the. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-care-about-prince-harry/284986/40 "2005-01-17T14:28:52Z")
> [@CanvasShoes](#): > > Well, I thought that’s what the parliment and the prime minister,he the head of state? Okay so America has a pres, England has the queen, not the prime minister? Soooo…then,what exactly is the prime minister’s job then? I always thought he was more of their version of “pres” and that the royals were mere figureheads, leftovers from the middle ages so to speak, with more power of course. I know I knew this stuff in HS, and in college too, but damned if I can remember the particulars. > > Thanks > Sorry for the hijack. > > LOVE the suggestion of a Paris Hilton/Prince Harry wedding. 😃 The prime minister is the head of government. The queen is the head of state. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-care-about-prince-harry/284986.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-care-about-prince-harry/284986.md?page=3)