Something else that bugs me...

[astral276]

Just been watching a news clip of Prince Charles resplendent with a chest full of medals. I'm not aware that he has ever done anything to earn one, so assume they must be all honorary or ceremonial.

I think this devalues those awarded to people who have actually done something, even given their lives, to merit such recognition.

Have one myself, for long service, which I consider worthless; awarded for doing a job I was paid to do and chose to do. I don't even know where it is and wouldn't wear it even if I did.

What do others think on this issue of 'bogus' medals?

[madelaine]

Everyone knows that the royal family have honorary medals rather than earning them (mostly... the Duke of Edinburgh saw genuine service and Harry earned his for Afghanistan) but as for worthless medals, take a look at any US serviceman. They are rather more like Scout badges - to be earned not won.

[astral276]

Everyone knows that the royal family have honorary medals rather than earning them (mostly... the Duke of Edinburgh saw genuine service and Harry earned his for Afghanistan) but as for worthless medals, take a look at any US serviceman. They are rather more like Scout badges - to be earned not won.

That applies to our military as well (I wasn't singling out the royals, they are just an obvious example of the issue) look at what is worn by our 'top brass' and they are mostly junk awards. Clearly you can't have an oik serviceman with more medals than someone placed above them.

I have no problem with Prince Andrew's or Harry's awards for active service - though the latter has two junk ones and the former has several.

[madelaine]

Soldiers now often have more medals than some senior officers. My husband (though not senior) spent the last 10 years of his service in safe places from which he was not deployed so he has 3 - General service medal and 2 jubilee medals. Iraq & Afghanistan mean that loads of junior soldiers have more.

However, when he had just acquired the queen's silver jubilee medal (awarded on a very odd basis - the CO got one, the RSM got one and then the CO gave out the other 3 (or was it 4?), snide remarks were made about him having "medals" when most just wore the General Service Medal (from service in NI)

[damian_steele]

Charlie's medals explained by the BBC in 2006: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6147544.stm

[tonyreddevil]

After the Explanation About Prince Charles Medals.There Are Remarks Good And Bad After.With I.E Serving Soldiers

[astral276]

After the Explanation About Prince Charles Medals.There Are Remarks Good And Bad After.With I.E Serving Soldiers

I like the last one:

"He has neck orders, breast stars, medals, decorations and awards from another 18 other countries, many given to mark his birthdays." So they are just a posh version of those 'I am 5 years old' badges you get on children's birthday cards then?

Exactly. Which is why I feel such displays devalue those awarded on merit of service.