Charles having teenage problems

[kasper]

From:  PWC (thanks to Stevie)

Evening News, April 24, 2003

Lessons to Learn Father Down Line

Tonya Macari

Poor old Prince Charles. He may have a valet to clip on his
cufflinks, a butler to squeeze his toothpaste, a gardener to dig up
his organic veg and a secretary to sort out his filing, but when it
comes to the trickier task of coping with teenage children, the heir
to the throne faces the same testing time as parents everywhere.

Reports this week that one of the world's most famous fathers is
concerned that 18-year-old Prince Harry's penchant for partying and
fondness for puffing his way through more than just the odd packet of
fags is affecting not only his health but also his studies, will
strike a chord with mums and dads everywhere.

Harry's social habits are hardly any different from the average 18-
year -old's, but there is no chance that he can let his hair down,
experiment with life and get up to much "on the quiet", without it
getting leaked back to dad. Despite the fact both he and his big
brother can get an audience with Britney and get into whichever sold-
out concert they fancy, they can't get away with much without being
spotted by a servant, or some sneak keen to sell a story.

Although they don't have to spend their Saturdays in a bri-nylon
uniform doling out chips, and are unlikely to ever have to wash their
dad's car, mow the Highgrove lawn or clean out the corgis' kennels to
pay for a new pair of trainers, being an HRH teenager does have its
downside.

There is no possibility for the princes to sneak out for a night on
the town with the world's paparazzi poised to snap pictures of them
emerging from nightclubs at 2am.

And they can't so much as say "hi" to an Honourable Henrietta, dance
with a double-barrelled Davina or frolic with a flirty Fionnula
without it being relayed back to the Highgrove hotline.

Harry can hardly stick to his story of staying at a friend's house
for the weekend when the tabloid press can prove that far from being
tucked up in his monogrammed jammies at a mansion in Marlborough, he
was in fact whooping it up at a wild party in West London.

And it is impossible for him to offer the "I missed the last bus"
or "couldn't get a taxi home" excuse to explain why he staggered back
to Buck House three hours later than promised when a chauffeur is
always on call to get him up The Mall in moments.

Although having a bodyguard would no doubt be handy to lean on after
one too many and to pay for a late-night chippy on the way home,
having a Special Branch shadow lurking behind lampposts and on the
parental payroll must seriously cramp a self-conscious teenager's
style.

It's tough enough work being a teenager without the added stress of
your parents knowing exactly what you are up to 24 hours a day.

Despite having to grow up in the public eye and under close scrutiny,
both Wills and Harry could hardly be classed as rebels, and both of
these boys seem polite, charming and appropriately attired. They
don't grunt at guests, snarl at the neighbours or blast Blink 182 out
of a huge boogie box.

Neither of our handsome princes has appeared at home at the end of
term with a pink Mohican hairstyle, turned up at their granny's
birthday party in grungy cut-off jeans and heavy metal T-shirt or
emerged from an afternoon in town pierced in unmentionable places.

Obviously every parent hopes that their child will not smoke, swig
too many shandies or sit around when they should be studying, but
Prince Charles seems to have got through his sons' teenage years
pretty lightly.

Rather than nag Harry every time he goes out late, lives it up or
attempts to light up, he should take a leaf out of his book and learn
to lighten up.

[sunshine69]

Rather than nag Harry every time he goes out late, lives it up or
attempts to light up, he should take a leaf out of his book and learn
to lighten up.

Wish I could throw my parents that line...LOL.

On one hand, P.Charlie has every right to be concerned about his sons' smoking habits and study habits.

On the other hand, it's none of the media's business. Of course, that would be too much to ask for...

[PrincessPreppy]

Their life is harder than many people think that it is. Yes they have sooo mcuh money etc but what good is it when u cant even go out w/ a flock of paprazti following u?