Buckingham wants William and Harry to take a lower profile

With Prince William training with the Special Boat Services and Prince Harry vying to become a helicopter pilot the brothers military careers are still very much their main focus, which is just fine by Buckingham Palace. Although William and Harry's commanding officers have given the brothers permission to take more time away from their military duties to focus on their charitable role the word from the palace is that the Queen would prefer them to take a lower profile in these financially trying times.

Said Mary Riddel of the Daily Telegraph, "It has been decided that the princes should stick to military careers rather than glossy, fund-raising events. 'This is not the right time for ribbon-cutting,' I am told."

This is unlikely to be entirely welcome news to the princes who over the past two years have been directly involved in the creation and planning of a number of large-scale public events to raise money for their charities. These events included the Concert for Diana, which raised money for children's charities, and the City Salute Appeal, which raised money for injured service men and women. The events raised millions of pounds and generated an enormous amount of public praise and support for the princes.

Although the princes obviously have a talent for raising support and awareness for good causes recent events may have inspired Buckingham Palace's decision to curtail their large-scale charitable efforts. The decision that the princes should take on a lower charity profile may have grown from recent criticism they received after taking part in EnduroAfrica's fundraising charity. Members of the public complained over the amount of money that had to be spent on the princes' personal security while in Africa. Another contributing factor may be that their project manager, Geoffrey Matthews, a management specialist hired by Clarence House two years ago to support William and Harry's growing public profiles, will be leaving his job this December. Matthews, who worked closely with both princes and was often photographed near them at various public events, was made redundant after William decided not to take on full-time royal duties after all but to build a career in the RAF instead.

A Clarence House spokesman confirmed, "Following Prince William's announcement that he is to begin training to become a full-time Search and Rescue Pilot at Christmas, it became clear that certain projects with which Geoffrey Matthews would have been involved had been postponed. There is simply not going to be enough for Geoffrey to do over the next few years. The Household and Geoffrey have therefore decided that Geoffrey will leave at Christmas."

It is also reported that, as a result of the current recession, the Queen would like them to take a lower profile in their private lives as well. Meaning, no more late nights out in London. Criticism over their partying is nothing new, but the Queen is sensitive to the fact that members of the Royal Family being seen to spend large amounts of money frivolously will not go down well with a public struggling to make ends meet.

I for one think it's hugely unfortunate that Princes William and Harry's blossoming charity work is to be cut short by public bah-hum-bugging. In times like these I feel its all the more important that public figures such as William and Harry should be seen to be raising money (and spirits) for those in need. But that is not to say that the princes will live under a rock for the next year. They will both continue to support a small number of charities and will be seen (dressed in uniform or suit) at royal events. This December Harry is set to present the "children of courage" awards and will also be attending a large gathering of charities in London where he will represent his charity, Sentebale. And, with any luck!, both prince may be on hand to attend a Christmas party at St James' Palace held for the benefit of the injured personnel charity, Not Forgotten.

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