Did Any Members of the Royal Family Go To War Agiainst The Germans?

[plowter]

Did any member of the British Royal Family ever see active service against the Germans in WW1 or WW2?

[shaneystar2]

Prince Albert (later King George VI) saw active service and saw action during World War I. He was a junior officer in the battle of Jutland .
Duke of Edinburgh saw active service in WW2
I think the Duke Of Kent was killed in WW2 whilst on active service ..but it's a bit sketchy as to what he was actually up to .

[plowter]

Don't want to belittle the Royals, but did any of them really see active service?

Whatever the historical period, if a royal was stiffed on the battlefield wouldn't it have had the same effect whether WW1, WW2 or Harry in modern-day Afghanistan or Iraq?

[plowter]

Duke of Kent was killed in 1942 as passenger in a flying boat when it flew into a mountain in western Scotland.

[kempie]

Why do you wish to disbelieve that Prince Albert saw action aboard HMS Collingwood in the Battle of Jutland?

"Whatever the historical period..."

Are you not aware that for thousands of years chieftains , rulers, kings (name them what you will) led their troops into battle?

[jojojojoanne]

past history is documented and we have a greater array of material to choose from with the added benefit of cross cultural reference and hindsight, some rulers have led their men into battle in the past, though in real terms how many do that in the strictest sense today?

[plowter]

Prince Albert attended Jutland unwell after a 'surfeit of soused herring'. Beyond that, we seem to know very little.

Fair point, kempie, but surely modern royals are more valuable as media figures than combatants?

Was Prince Harry really in danger? Did Prince Andrew really fight the Argentinians in the 80s?

My original point was to clarify whether the Saxe-Coburg-Gothes ever fought their kinfolk.

[jojojojoanne]

in the sense of civil war?

[dundurn]

Involvement of future George VI at Jutland beyond question - Prince of Wales (Edward VIII) not allowed to go on active service as heir to the throne.

Duke of Edinburgh (not at the time a British Royal) served Indian Ocean HMS Ramilles and then Mediterranean HMS Valiant - deck officer during Battle of Matapan

Lord Harewood (George Lascelles - full cousin of present Queen) served Grenadier Guards Italy - captured in 44 he was held as a POW until the end of the war in Europe.

Duke of Kent killed in air crash on active service 1942. Whatever the "secrecy" surrounding the purpose of the flight, he took the same risks as the other people on the flight, 13 of whom were also killed.

Present Queen joined ATS during WWII and trained as a driver.

All immediate Royal Family stayed in London throughout the Blitz despite being offered the chance to be evacuated abroad. The Queen Mum (then Queen) was asked why she didn't send the Princesses to Canada The Princesses cannot leave without me; I cannot leave without the King; and the King cannot leave', she said. Buckingham Palace was hit by a bomb and the Queen Mum remarked 'I'm glad we have been bombed; I feel I can look the East End in the face.'

[Loosehead]

so another failed attempt at royal bashing then plowter? tut tut you made it too easy!

[plowter]

Not at all Loosehead, just a question raised in the pub after all the Harry coverage. It seems unlikely that members of the immediate royal family would be sent to war. Fair enough.

The royals changed their name in 1917 to make it sound more Engerlish and less German. It raises the question as to whether any members of the British royal family ever saw action against the Germans.

George VI saw action at Jutland, fair enough. Duke of Edinburgh saw action against the Italians at Cape Matapan. Not sure whether I'd count a cousin as member of the royals.

Seems like a fair enough question.

[annie0000]

Didn't prince Andrew get involve in Active service during the Falklands?

[Azemar]

You asked a question - you've had your answer plowter - a resounding yes.
Jutland was one of the most savage & terrifying sea battles ever fought. My great uncle fought in the battle, was shell-shocked like many others & never recovered. Prince Albert had a very unhappy childhood & suffered from a stammer but despite this at the age of 21 he served his country well in the Battle of Jutland at his station - the big guns of A turret on HMS Collingwood hammering the German Battle Cruiser, Derfflinger.
How easy it is to belittle the efforts of others from the safety & comfort of your local pub.