Royals and the Military

Britain can proudly boast to have among the best and most professional armed forces in the world.

Our men and women routinely put their lives on the line for our country. While the conflicts they are engaged in are not always supported by the public, the dedication and professionalism of our servicemen and women is universally recognised and rightly celebrated.

It is all the more offensive then that the Windsor family attach themselves to our armed forces in the hope of gaining reflected glory. They demand ranks and medals they have not earned and use valuable military resources for their own personal benefit. For most of the time princes use our armed forces as a personal playground - going on adventures, learning to fly and commandeering military aircraft for their own ends.

On the rare occasions they do attempt to serve as others do it exposes one simple truth - that royals and regiments don't mix. It is simply not possible to have the heir to the throne in the line of fire. The government won't allow it, which is why Prince Harry was so heavily protected and kept away from the front line in Afghanistan. If they cannot serve as others do, if they cannot serve without needing valuable military resources being diverted to keep them safe, they simply should not be allowed to serve.

Break the Link

In a republic this inappropriate link between our armed forces and the Windsor family will be broken. If members of the Windsor family wish to serve in our military they will be free to do so - on the same terms as everyone else.

We believe this link should be broken now. It is unacceptable for the royals to use and abuse our professional armed forces in this way. Prince William's so-called training in all three services (little of which he will ever use) and his misuse of military helicopters to go on personal trips clearly highlights the Windsors' attitude toward the military.

We should break the link now, and any Windsor who wishes to serve must renounce their position in the royal household and serve as any other soldier, sailor or airman would.