Prince Charles a friend to the UK armed forces

Col Richard Kemp, a former commander of British forces in Afghanistan, said that as Colonel in Chief of the Army Air Corps it was the Prince of Wales' duty to lobby government.

"In many cases senior officers don't want to rock the boat because they are worried about their careers, but Prince Charles doen't have those fears. It's not just that he can do these things, it is his duty to do them."

Article


A lot has been made of Prince Charles correspondence with Tony Blair and other UK Members of Parliament. Until now the commentaries I have read have taken a negative view of Prince Charles actions. Now I do find this to be perfectly understandable. Under the unwritten constitution of the UK members of the Royal are to remain “above politics”.

On balance the way Prince Charles has been a friend to the UK armed forces is well worth some consideration on its own. The reader should note how none of the UK military commanders in Iraq were willing to put their necks on the line for the troops under their command. Nor was the Prime Minster at the Time Tony Blair or his Minster of Defence.

The NZDF doesn't have any friends who are able and willing to raise concerns like Prince Charles did with Tony Blair. As I have noted the NZDF senior leadership leaves a lot to be desired. Every day brings us closer to the out come of the NZDF being neglected for the past 20 odd years.