What do you think makes the Military such a popular career choice for the men of the British Monarchy?

Well, it is the only course open to second sons other than the clergy, right?

Isn’t it a requirement and not really a “choice”?

@marinelife what? I have no idea, I guess I just assumed they were free to do what the hell they liked same as the rest of us

@RareDenver Sorry, i couldn’t help it. I was referring to Regency romance novels and being sarcastic.

“Just” a “tradition thing”? In the medieval period where their family became kings, there were said to be three “estates of men”: warriors, clergy, and laborers. The royal family is steeped in the history and culture that followed, and its members are raised in them. The cultural and family traditions are not “to do what the hell they like”. While they might be technically free to do whatever, if they so chose (and they do get up to personal stuff), they are also very closely watched by their family and particularly the press and the public. The public in recent years has had divided opinions, but the favorable opinions have to do with them doing things that seem appropriate and worthy of their station.

British royals do have to have served in the military in some capacity in order to hold the throne. Males, that is.

I should learn more about my royal family, I also grew up an Army child believe it or not, I really am useless

Is it a way they can show the masses that they are in the thick of it with the rest of us?

I think you nailed it right there.

Say they went into business. Would they beat Rupert Murdoch? Richard Branson? Do you want your king to be the guy did OK but was overshadowed by the real talent?

In the military, they can be part of something which can’t be criticized.The military is always given deference, win or lose.

What else are they going to do – open a kite shop?

Charles never struck me as an ignorant man. 2:2? Daaaaag. Well, I’m a fine one to talk. I graduated uni with a GPA of 2.9, which is about the US equivalent.

You have to serve in the armed forces, I believe, as a male Royal. Even Elizabeth was in the Women’s Corps during WWII. At least these boys enjoy it. I feel as if Andrew did, as well. I can’t imagine what else they could do where no one makes fun of them; I mean, poor Charles gets roundly jeered any time he talks about agriculture or architecture, and japes about Edward’s theatre and media work have been going on since the 1990s. I mean, what can they do that people won’t try to take them down a peg besides the military?

They shake hands and open hospitals and people say they don’t work, but when they try other things, people give them the hairy eyeball as well. I guess if they gave back the money and the land and the castles and the jewels and paintings and had to get work, then I suppose folks would be satisfied.

A couple of people have said military service is mandatory for royalty, can anybody confirm?

UK, Flutherites, I am looking at you.

I think it is a way to show that they don’t just sponge of the taxes of the nation, but that they also give something back. Members of the armed services receive a good deal of respect, and that can only be a good thing for a public figure.

There is no constitutional requirement to serve in the military, it is purely tradition. It could be argued that the monarch is de facto ‘in the military’ as Head of State, so the connection is the other way round from what others have said. You don’t have to have been in the military to be monarch, rather becoming monarch puts you into the military structure by default.

Given the historical context, it would be difficult for active members of the royal family to eschew military service completely. The best recent example is Prince Edward, who started officer training for the Royal Marines but resigned his commission before graduating. He still remains in the line of succession though.

it can be a great opportunity to demonstrate leadership in the right circumstances. And it’s a very good idea for the head honcho to have at least some understanding of the hells into which they send troops. And the troops respect a leader more who shows that understanding.
Unfortunately some potential leaders will gin up a situation &/or there won’t really be an opportunity occurring (what no war today??) and down the road the publicists make stuff up.
Our US ‘royalty’ has had a mixed history of overvaluing their military experiences, in the Texas Air National Guard for example.
The British royalty have the disadvantage that everyone has been watching their every move since before they were born and their deployments can be a bit softened for their protection, so it’s tougher to have a genuine moment of heroism.