...For October 2005
October 30, 2005 -Stars like David Beckham and Freddie Ljungberg may have a new challenger for the title of world's hunkiest footballer after a certain William Wales took to the pitch for Charlton Athletic.
The second-in-line caused quite a stir at New Eltham training ground in south
London when he donned his kit and showed off his aptitude for the beautiful
game.
Enrolment officers at Sandhurst Military Academy needn't worry
about their next high-profile recruit having a change of heart, though, as
Prince William was simply doing his bit as the Football Association's honorary
president. The 23-year-old was presented with a Charlton jersey bearing his name
when he turned out for a training session with the team's players and a group of
excited local schoolchildren.
"I want to be a contributor, I don't want
to be just a figurehead," the Prince explained. "I want to help the guys and
learn from them and just generally help support football in every way I can."
Wills' performance showed both sports fans and royal watchers that he
has plenty of team spirit. And he didn't do too badly when his goalkeeping
skills were put to the test, saving three of the seven balls that were sent
hurtling in his direction. He may have a little way to go before he's ready to
take on big names like Becks, however. After a spell running about with the
club's top athletes, the out-of-breath royal confessed he wasn't as fit as he
had previously thought.
Prince William is poised to follow in his little brother's footsteps after being accepted into Sandhurst, the prestigious military college, where Harry is almost halfway through his training to become an officer.
The second-in-line to the throne impressed Army bosses as a "natural leader", when he went up against 24 other hopefuls for a place at the academy. When he joins up early next year, the future King will become the most senior member of the Royal Family to do so. Before applying, the Prince joked that he'd sent Harry ahead to test the terrain. “It’s not easy. That’s why I put my brother in as a guinea pig first,” he quipped.
And according to royal sources, when Harry rang to wish him luck he also decided to have some fun at his sibling's expense. "There was a little bit of brotherly joshing," said a friend. "Harry will graduate two terms ahead of him- and he has already jokingly threatened William that he will find an excuse to come back to the college and make his brother salute him."
The gruelling tests, which Harry passed last September, included doing 44 press-ups and 50 sit-ups in two minutes, then a one-and-a-half mile run in ten. Later came an assault course and a raft of interviews with the top brass, who've now given him the go-ahead to start the year-long training course.
October 20, 2005- -
If Harry is successful, he will then take on other ski teams from the British Army, Royal Navy and Air Force over the coming months.
According to his fellow Sandhurst cadets, Harry - who was annually taken on the slopes by his late mother Princess Diana and father Prince Charles as a child - has a great chance of making the final squad. One cadet said: "Skiing is in his blood. Without fail, he has hit the slopes almost every year since he was a tiny boy."
If Harry does make the squad, it will be the second Sandhurst team he is a member of.
The royal is already a valued member of the academy's polo team and royal sources insist Harry's participation in all aspects of Sandhurst life show just how determined he is to make a success of his army career.
A royal source told Britain's Daily Star newspaper: "Harry spends so much time away from Chelsy, training at Sandhurst, he wanted to do something to show his commitment to her. A tattoo of her name was the ideal situation. "Charles was fine with the idea when Harry promised it would be hidden away on his body, like on his bottom, where nobody but Chelsy will see it."
Harry has been dating South African beauty Chelsy for over 12 months and the planned tattoo is another clear indication of how serious Harry is about Chelsy.
Charles has made no secret of his fondness for his son's girlfriend and is ready to welcome her into the family as Harry's long-term partner.
The source added: "Charles is very fond of Chelsy and actually thinks she is a good influence on his son. So he's doing everything he can to help their romance flourish."
Buckingham Palace has so far refused to comment on Harry's alleged tattoo plans.
October 17, 2005- -
SOURCE:http://www.dailysnack.co.uk/news_article.html?cart=1125156357938065&fSKU=895
17/10/05
LOVED-UP Prince Harry has been given the royal nod to have his girlfriend Chelsy Davy's name tattooed...on his BUM! Royal advisers fear the move will only add to the Army cadet's reputation as a hellraiser.
But dad Prince Charles, 56, has given him permission to have the tattoo tribute, so long as it is in a "well hidden area" - such as his regal buttocks.
A royal aide said: "Harry spends so much time away from Chelsy training at Sandhurst that he wanted to do something to show his commitment to her.
"A tattoo of her name was the ideal solution. He can't wait to get it done. Charles was fine with the idea when Harry promised it would be hidden away somewhere on his body, like his bottom, where nobody but Chelsy will see it."
Harry, 21, was desperate to show South African beauty Chelsy, 19, how much he loves her. The couple have been dating for more than a year, having first been spotted together on a polo holiday in Argentina in November last year.
Now his decision to get the body art has sparked rumours that he sees Chelsy as his permanent partner.
Our source added: "Charles is very fond of Chelsy and actually thinks she's a good influence on his son. So he's doing everything he can to help their romance flourish."
However, the idea of a tattoo raised eyebrows among some of the royal household who are desperate to change Harry's off-the-rails reputation.
The Prince has clashed with his dad in the past over his chav-like behaviour, including his boozy nights out - one of which ended in a street brawl.
The royal rebel was even packed off to a drug rehab clinic for the day in 2002 after admitting he had smoked cannabis. And he was at the centre of exam-cheat allegations last year after a former teacher claimed Harry had help to pass his A-level art. That claim was later rejected by an employment tribunal.
His bad boy image hit a real low point earlier this year when his decision to dress up as a Nazi for a friend's fancy-dress party was universally blasted as in very poor taste. Harry is also reported to have a 20-a-day cigarette habit which he is desperate to give up.
Last night, the Palace refused to comment on Harry's plan to have a tattoo. But he wouldn't be the first royal to get inked up. In fact, the tradition goes back almost 1,000 years. The first English monarch known to have a tattoo was King Harold II.
A design showing his mistress, Edith, on his chest was used to identify his body after he was shot in the eye with an arrow at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
King Edward VII had a Jerusalem Cross tattooed on his arm in 1862, when he was Prince of Wales. Twenty years later, his sons the Duke of Clarence and the Duke of York - later King George V - both had dragons inked on their arms when they visited Japan.
And Princess Anne's daughter, sexy Zara Phillips, 24, who's had her tongue pierced, is also rumoured to have a tattoo.
October 16, 2005 -
16 October 2005
By Dean Rousewell
Source: People
PRINCE William IS going to Sandhurst after a crunch showdown with his grandfather Prince Philip.
William, 23, had considered opting out of an Army career to do charity work instead but Philip warned him that would be a "dereliction of duty".
So in January, the Prince will follow his brother Harry, 21, to the elite Surrey military academy after passing final entry exams last week. _ A highly-placed source told The People: "His grandfather sat William down and spelled out his duty very clearly.
"He told him that one day as King he will be head of all the armed forces - but could not expect to command respect if he had never tasted military life."
The source added: "Harry also chipped in and told him he would relish the challenges and persuaded William to stick at his qualifying exams when he was all set to quit.
"William passed with flying colours. It has given him renewed confidence and at last he is fully focused on becoming an Army officer."
The Prince's decision comes weeks after he told friends his heart was set on working to promote his mother Princess Diana's favourite charities.
The source said: "He has finally been persuaded the Army is something he has to do - almost a rite of passage in his preparation to be King."
October 15, 2005 -
By Nathan Yates
PRINCE Harry has been ordered to keep a diary of his tough Army training.
The 21-year-old cadet has to jot down a weekly account of his experiences at Sandhurst.
He must record his thoughts honestly - even though officers will inspect every word.
A source at the elite college said: "The idea is to get cadets to discuss their feelings about the programme.
"They are encouraged to write about even quite private thoughts, perhaps even inner fears."
Harry will also be asked to comment on the performance of other recruits.
In a recent interview to mark his 21st birthday, the prince said: "Nobody's really supposed to love it - it's Sandhurst.
"You get treated like dirt, it did me good."
October 12, 2005 -
PRINCE William has been working in a butcher's shop as part of his work experience programme. He has spent two days at Chatsworth House's farmstore to toughen him up before starting Army training at Sandhurst.
The 23-year-old prince wore a traditional apron and straw boater, but was not allowed to work behind the counter. Instead he was given the task of heaving heavy cuts of meat and weighing them with other backroom workers. The dozen staff at the high-quality shop, a stone barn overlooking the 35,000-acre Peak District estate, were sworn to secrecy about his role.
William, who will start at Sandhurst in January, is staying in a hunting tower at Chatsworth – the residence of the Duke of Devonshire. It is part of his decision to learn how to run a farm after he graduated from St Andrews University with a geography degree in June.
Next month he will spend three weeks at HSBC in the City, working in the bank's charity services division. He is also due to join Braemar mountain rescue team based near Balmoral. However, he will be helping out by washing emergency vehicles and answering phones rather than saving mountaineers in distress.
Britain's Prince William was so moved when he helped to deliver a calf he reportedly burst into tears.
The young royal - who is currently on a work placement on a country estate - got so attached to the little cow he even wants to take her home to London after his work experience is over.
A royal aide is quoted in Britain's Daily Star newspaper as saying: "William helping bring the calf into the world was one of the most beautiful things he's ever experienced.
"And he's taking her back to London with him when he leaves." The 23-year-old prince is spending two weeks managing the land on the Peak District estate, which is owned by his father Prince Charles's friend, the Duke of Devonshire.
The work placement is part of his plan to work in a variety of positions at different organisations before he decides his future. William will also work in London and will join a mountain rescue team. He said: "The work experience in the city was something I was particularly keen to do as I feel this is an area in which I could learn a lot, and it may well help me with charitable fundraising in the future.
"The land management will hopefully allow me to develop skills and an understanding of how to best look after the countryside." He added: "Joining a mountain rescue team really appealed to me as I can learn at first hand how these amazing people help save lives on a regular basis."
October 2, 2005 -
01 October 2005
Western Morning News
Prince William made a surprise visit to the Westcountry to lead homecoming celebrations for his record-breaking friend Oliver Hicks.
The young Prince joined hundreds of people who had flocked to Falmouth Harbour to cheer Mr Hicks after he became the first British person ever to row solo from New York and the youngest person ever to row across the Atlantic solo west to east.
As the 23-year-old sailor's flare-lit vessel entered Falmouth Harbour yesterday at around 11.45am, Prince William stood on the balcony of the National Maritime Museum cheering and clapping.
The Prince, who had arrived in Falmouth with a large group of male and female friends, blasted loudly on a horn and shouted his friend's name.
As Mr Hicks stepped off his boat, tycoon Sir Richard Branson, the main sponsor of the endeavour, was on hand to crack open a bottle of Moet champagne and spray the young hero.
After leaping into the water for a brief victory swim, Mr Hicks was hauled out of the harbour to be greeted by his proud parents Charles and Virginia and other family members.
As he made his way along the pontoon, packed with journalists and photographers, Prince William and a group of his friends ran down to the water's edge to scoop Mr Hicks up and carry him high on their shoulders.
Mr Hicks from Thorpeness, Suffolk, spent 126 days at sea solo and unsupported, rowing an average of 32 miles a day, securing himself a place in the Guinness Book of Records.
Mr Hicks said he was already planning his next expedition which could be an attempt to make the first row across the iceberg-strewn Southern Ocean.
He added: "The last weeks have been very tough as it got colder and wetter and darker and rougher."
The most changeable weather conditions in the Atlantic for a century meant the British rower had to change course repeatedly.
As a result his epic voyage ended up being the longest successful west-east transatlantic crossing at around 4,040 miles.
Fewer than 150 people have rowed the Atlantic and only ten have completed the west-east trip from Canada or the US.
There have been 17 incomplete attempts, and three rowers have been lost at sea, according to the Ocean Rowing Society.
During his epic journey, Mr Hicks raised £30,500 for the charity Hope and Homes for Children.
His vessel, the Virgin Atlantic Solo Challenge, is 24 ft long and weighs 750kg when fully laden.
The Prince had arrived about half an hour before Mr Hicks by private luxury cruiser. Once ashore, the Prince, dressed casually in a black wind-breaker, denim jeans and a navy blue baseball cap, sat outside a cafe surrounded by his friends drinking coffee.
After Mr Hicks' arrival a small reception was held in the National Maritime Museum, complete with Champagne, red and white balloons, bunting and celebratory cake. Prince William and his friends joined in.
Mr Hicks said: "I'm extremely happy to be back on dry land - it was completely exhausting, but I'm glad I stuck at it."
Prince William and Mr Hicks have been friends for several years.
He said: "I spoke to Prince William a few days ago on the boat - he was keen to know how I was getting on. He said he would love to come down and welcome me home, but was concerned that if the Press were here he'd steal the limelight.
"But I'm glad he did - it was great to see him along with everyone else. When he congratulated me he said: "Job's a good'un - I suppose you'd better cut the cake."
Sir Richard Branson said: "It has been an outstanding day for Oliver and perhaps made all the more special because the future King of England was here to show his respect for his achievement along with everyone else."
Amy Cole, who works at the museum, gave the Prince a large navy blue fleece. She said: "He was absolutely lovely. I walked up and tapped him on the shoulder and he turned, smiled and said: "Hello can I help you?" I told him I'd like him to accept a fleece from the museum and he said: "I'd be delighted to - thank you very much.
"It was great to have him here today."
After the reception the Prince was spotted with his bodyguards and a few friends at Gyllyngvase Beach Cafe, Falmouth, watching surfers.
Holidaymaker Mildred Adair, 75, a retired nurse from Newcastle said: "I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the Prince - I had to do a double take. He's such a handsome boy - takes after his mother - he was so relaxed and pleasant."
It had been rumoured the Prince had booked into the exclusive
Tresenton Hotel in St Mawes for the night. A worker at the hotel
said: "I know the Prince had stayed here on two occasions in the
past - but I have not seen him here today. We often have royal
visitors but they always book in under a false name and only the
manager is aware who they really are before they arrive."