When it comes to the British Royal Family, the spotlight often shines on the accomplishments, accolades, and the sheer spectacle of royal engagements of its members. Among the younger generation of royals, Prince William and Prince Harry have often been at the forefront of this fascination. Both have, in their own distinct ways, contributed significantly to the monarchy's public image through their military service, philanthropy, and personal projects. This long-form post will delve into a comparison of the honors and achievements of these two princes, aiming to answer a widely debated question: Who is more decorated, Prince William or Prince Harry?
Military Service
Prince William
- Served in the Blues and Royals (a reconnaissance unit of the British Army) in 2006-2007.
- Completed a 16-week training course at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
- Involved in search and rescue missions with the Royal Air Force (RAF), where he flew the Sea King helicopter and saved numerous lives.
Prince William's role in the military, especially his work as a Search and Rescue pilot, was less about combat and more about serving the public in life-saving operations, which might not have brought him traditional military medals, but certainly has earned him public admiration and recognition.
Prince Harry
- Joined the Army in 2006 and served two operational tours in Afghanistan, first as a Forward Air Controller in 2007-2008, and then as an Apache helicopter pilot in 2012-2013.
- Earned several medals including the Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan, the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal, the Diamond Jubilee Medal, and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
- Rose to the rank of Captain in the Army Air Corps.
In terms of military decorations, Prince Harry's combat experience arguably makes him the more decorated of the two in terms of traditional military honors.
Philanthropy and Royal Duties
Prince William
- Co-founded The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Sussex in 2009, which focuses on issues like mental health, homelessness, and conservation.
- Launched the "Heads Together" campaign to change the conversation around mental health.
- Patron of Tusk Trust, supporting wildlife conservation across Africa.
- Established The Earthshot Prize, a global environmental award to encourage solutions to major environmental challenges.
🌱 Note: Prince William's involvement in environmental issues has positioned him as a modern royal with a strong focus on sustainability.
Prince Harry
- Founded the Invictus Games in 2014, providing a platform for wounded, injured, or sick service personnel to compete in sports.
- Set up the Sentebale charity to help vulnerable children in Lesotho and Botswana.
- Actively involved in conservation efforts, particularly the efforts to combat poaching and to protect elephants.
- Supported causes like HIV/AIDS awareness and the military community through various initiatives.
Both princes have made significant contributions to philanthropy, but Prince Harry's approach has often been more direct, focusing on tangible, grassroots impacts and engaging with issues through personal experience.
Personal Projects and Public Image
Prince William
- Launched multiple public interest campaigns alongside Kate Middleton, particularly around early childhood development and mental health.
- His public image has been carefully crafted to reflect a future monarch, balancing royal duties with modern appeal.
Prince Harry
- With Meghan Markle, they've ventured into media and content creation through projects like their Netflix deal and Harry's memoir "Spare."
- His public image has been one of transformation, moving from royal duties to personal projects and advocacy for mental health and media reform.
Both princes have taken different paths since the wedding of Harry and Meghan, with Prince William following a more traditional royal route, while Harry has sought to redefine what it means to be a royal in the modern world.
When it comes to the direct question of who is more decorated, it depends on the metrics of 'decoration' we're using. In terms of military service, Prince Harry's combat experience and medals place him ahead. In philanthropy, both have been deeply involved, but their approaches differ. Public image and personal projects might lean in favor of Prince Harry due to his more disruptive path, whereas Prince William's work often aligns closely with the traditional duties of a future monarch.
What is The Earthshot Prize?
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The Earthshot Prize, launched by Prince William in 2020, aims to discover and scale innovative solutions to environmental challenges. It is modeled after the "Moonshot" initiative of the 1960s, with a goal to find solutions by 2030 in five key areas: Protecting and Restoring Nature, Clean Air, Reviving Oceans, Building a Waste-Free World, and Fixing the Climate.
Has Prince William received any personal awards or honors?
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Prince William has received several honors, including honorary military titles, and was appointed to the Order of the Garter, one of the oldest orders of chivalry in the world. He has also been recognized for his contributions to mental health and conservation efforts.
Did Prince Harry receive any unique military honors?
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Prince Harry received military honors for his service in Afghanistan, including the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, for his work as a Forward Air Controller and an Apache helicopter pilot. His military service was recognized with traditional medals due to his combat roles.
Looking at the contributions of these two royal siblings, it’s clear that decoration transcends medals and traditional honors. Both Princes William and Harry have decorated their roles with meaningful service and philanthropy, each in their unique way. Their actions will not only shape their personal legacies but also the future of the British Royal Family.
