The Grandson of the Queen of England; guardian of our language, made a speech here in Sydney yesterday, here’s the opening as recorded by the media:
Prince Harry can’t wait to be a father.
On Saturday, the soon-to-be first-time dad gushed about his wife and their news that they would be expecting their first child during his speech at the Invictus Games Opening Ceremony in Sydney, Australia.
“Thank you for the welcome you have given Meghan and I over the last few days,” Harry told the Sydney Opera House crowd. “I have been so proud to be able to introduce my wife to you and we have been so happy to be able to celebrate the personal joy of our newest addition with you all.”
I do not want to hear any more complaints about my punctuation, and / or lack thereof.
LordBeariOfBow 
Grandkids!
They say the darndest things!
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That’s no excuse ej HE should know better
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One of my pet peeves is that common grammar error. Our beloved (current) PM did the same thing ‘the other day.
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There’s no need for it, it’s pure ignorance!
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Oh give the kid a break. He’s cute.
Is that your signature? Looks like a fountain pen. Don’t see those much anymore. A shame.
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being cute is no excuse for the 6th in line to the guardianship of the language Susan, I’m ashamed for him; and I come from the lowest rank in the English class system. I’m quite disgusted!
And Yes and Yes, I use 2 fountain pens one for black ink and one for blue/black, one medium nib one fine. I’ much prefer them to ball point pens.
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They are lovely and so much more genteel than baldpoints. You can’t get those beautiful nuanced strokes with a ballpoint.
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The children of today, don’t know what they have missed, not being made to hold a pen correctly, and to write properly. I wanted Emma to let me have the girls for an half hour or so when they lived nearby, so that I could teach them, she didn’t think it was a good idea, with which the WO concurred.
I wonder what the girls will think, when in a few years time, they open up their letters from their long dead grandpa, and see “”real running writing”” is. Be a bit late then
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You are so right. Penmanship is more than just conveying thoughts. A skill, a lesson in striving for perfection (but never quite making it, but that’s OK, just try again) patience, persistence, feeling the rhythms of breathing, blood swishing intertwined and affecting the product of the hand’s motion. Writing with a pen is high art…no doubt shortly they will have it for a college credit course like lettering and learning all the fonts used with ink used to be for commercial/marketing art tracks.
Maybe when the girls comes to visit or you go there, you can gift them a pen inkwell, papers, and lesson or two…locate an old handwriting book before it’s too late, too? It would be a shame to deprive them of the experience.
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Unfortunately my daughter, and my wife, don’t like the idea of me interfering with the children’s education, even though Emma’s good education was with my help, and assistance, whenever she needed it; as it was quite often, as I didn’t receive much of an education.
Never went to High School or University.
As for handwriting none of our children’s is of good ‘quality’, our son’s is completely illegible. Whenever the War office is required to fill in a form, she makes sure she takes me along to do it for her; yet she won’t encourage Emma, to let me, teach the girls. Kind of hypocritical really when I think about it!
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Nice comments from Harry. This brave couple merits every support we can muster.
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Don’t understand. What pedantic hair is being split here? “I/we/me”??
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Ignorance is bliss! Enjoy! 😈
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If ignorance is bliss, why aren’t more people happy?
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damned if I know
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We chatted about a US citizen – Alex Cherry – who joined the RN before America came into the war. You thought I was a tad too harsh about Cherry’s querky inability to master his latent martinet.
Retired from the USN in 1993 and Federal Civil Service in 2003. Spent a career writing, basically. Children when they needed editorial review at university, flag officers who needed speeches, and a personal need not to atrophe in retirement.
Knocked out a couple of books – written at glacial speed. Kept me from being a nuisance to my bride. And I plain like the act of putting words to paper.
Historical stuff, mostly military. A truly fascinating interview was with one of the executioners at the post-WWII Far East War Crimes Trials. The last to make the jump was Tojo, did you know? The Army gave my guy the “neck piece” and the death warrant signed by MacArthur.
The executioner was Martin Luther, also the only enlisted executioner in the bunch. For the rest of hos life Martin only wore black, his buds told me.
Best, Eric
Sent from my iPhone
>
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The English executioner was one Albert Pierrepoint, he managed to execute some 400 German war criminals. He and his forebears (the Perrepoint’s were the executioners from the 19th century through to the end of capital punishment and they used a different noose to the American)
He never botched an execution, and his quickest, recorded from time of entering the death cell, to the drop was 7, yes seven, seconds. Normally I believe it was 13 seconds, the time it took the prison clock to chime 9, 9 am being execution time.
He was also the leading advocate for the removal of the death penalty, and his address to the House of Lords was crucial to those intent on removing capital punishment from the “books”
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Fascinating details about Pierpoint. I knew the name but no details. Nothing hereditary about Martin’s job. He was an NCO motorcycle Military Policeman in the 720th MP Battalion in Occupied Japan. The battalion protected the MacArrhurs, among their duties. Lieutenants assigned execution duty had run out of steam during the trials. Martin was asked to join the group. It was a difficult decision. His role was supposed to be a secret but his mother, in Cleveland, was contacted by a journalist. She was appaled. Martin got a bottle of whiskey after each execution – which he never drank. He told me that as closely guarded as his arrival at the prison was, it seemed to him that the whole place knew he was there the moment his hand touched the doorhandle. In civilian life he became a very successful engineer and made an equally successful marriage. He did not long survive his wife’s passing. Martin would call me late in the evening. We never met. I was writing an anecdotal history of the battalion he (and I) served with.
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Albert was a Publican and he had the ominous duty once of hanging one of his ‘regular’ customers who’d killed his wife.
When Albert went into the cell at 9 am the condemned greeted him with “Good day Tish” to which Albert replied “Good Day Tosh”, It was the greeting they always used when Tosh went into Albert pub.
13 seconds later Tosh’s lifeless body was dangling at the end of Albert’s rope.
He always used the same ropes.
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Brave? Hmmmmm I’ll have to think about that…..
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HA! I know HOW to use “me” and “I” and WHEN to use them. But I make other errors in writing and probably in speech, too. So at least now I know I’m in the company of royalty! 😉 😀 😈
😛
HUGS!!! 🙂
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Well I would certainly hope so, 😇😇😇😇
I don’t know as I’d be considered royalty Oh I see you mean Harry 😊 😅😁 😈
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What a shame to focus on an exaggerated section of a speech that contained much genuine respect for the service men and women and the Australian people
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I disagree Derrick; a big percentage of the Australian people will now believe that they are correct, and that those, like me, are not. Especially the young and easily influenced. I’d love to know what HM thinks about it. I’ll bet she shuddered!
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Us old ‘uns are losing the grammar battles daily. But the speech was about much more than the baby.
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Yes “us” are,
Perhaps my not receiving anything but a basic education, and having to teach myself, makes me appreciate the language more than those that had a full and proper education.
Whether the speech was about the end of the world or what he had for dinner at Government House, doesn’t excuse him in my book.
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Maybe he was already influenced by her . . . . https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/252950.html
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Yes but Her Maj used it correctly, didn’t she, Harry did not!
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Consider yourself thoroughly spanked, LBOB! Imagine having the nerve to criticize Royalty! I don’t think Prince Harry ever set out to be Prince of Punctuation! Still, he’s the only royal that I like—I think that has something to do with his ability to seem like ‘a regular guy’.
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Big harry would have had my head on a block, no worries.
I like the man and as I told Sue, as an Englishman I’m a Royalist; and like Sue I don’t like the idea of a member of the royal family appearing as a regular guy/bloke as we say here.
He allows too much familiarity; anyone reading my stuff would think I’m an upper crust snob not the poor working class Cockney kid from Poplar.
It was the Cockneys the the crown always turned to for support, and always got 🙂
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I think it was a slip of the tongue Brian. He’s probably used to saying Meghan and I are …
The other day I wrote something similar in an e-mail and didn’t spot it until I re-read a day or so later.
One of my own pet peeves is when people begin a sentence with Me and so and so! That really is unacceptable.
I am a staunch royalist, the family is of huge importance to this country and are major ambassadors. They have an elevated position that must be upheld. You and I will agree that Australians and Americans do not understand the status.
Someone here mentioned that Prince Harry appeared to be a regular guy! I don’t want a member of my royal family to be a regular guy, a common man. The younger ones are more approachable and to an extent that’s okay, but Prince Harry has already proved he can be a bit of a loose cannon and I’m a little concerned that he might allow himself to be influenced by his American actress wife. Lovely as she is, she comes from a family that has already shown itself to have poor taste and little class, they’ve done her no favours and I am not speaking about her delightful mother.
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I hope it wasn’t a slip of the tongue often conceals the truth.
As an Englishman I’m a Royalist through and thgrough; as an ‘Australian’ I’m a staunch Republican and voted for the Republic.
I have not taken out Australian citizenship as I could not see the point of swearing allegiance to the Queen when I’m already her subject!
The Markles have no class; thankfully her mother does. In spades
As for Harry, I think he goes a bit over the top, which is a worry as he is well into his 30’s now.
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I knew we’d be on the same wave length! By the way a couple of hours ago I made that same slip up again and in written form once more. This time I was able to edit. I make lots of mistakes when running off something quickly, but the I instead of ME was one that was drummed into us and I am at a loss to explain my own error.
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I had a very meagre education, and grammar was not part of the curriculum as far as I can recall. I’m an autodidactic, mostly .
If you read the comments between Derrick and me it might show the depths of my feelings.
Derrick is exceedingly well educated, and the scourge of the Times readers/crossword aficionados. MORDRED!
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Graham, my late husband, left school at fourteen following a very poor education. He was exceptionally clever, he really did have the answer to anything asked of him. He finished every Times crossword without effort plus the Guardian and others. He said it was simply a matter of getting into the mind of the writer!
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Derrick was the compiler of the Times Cryptic for more years than he cares to remember; following his posts I learn a new word every day 🙂
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Oh wow, that is amazing I wish my Graham was still here to read this. He came over as this clowning broad Yorkshireman but in reality he was the exact opposite of what people assumed.
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He writes great illustrated blogs and has a big following, he’s well worth the effort. just click his name on one of the comments and you’ll see what I mean.
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Thank you I will do that
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There are two interesting things with this . . . One, all the fuss on what is essentially an agreed-upon convention. Look up the so-called “rule” and it refers to “most grammarians”. Language is — both spoken and written — a fluid thing. Methinks it depends as much on usage as it does on “rules”. Me only need trace the evolution of language to see that’s the case. Me typically refrains from pointing out improper grammar in spoken language because me could argue the “rules” are more fluid (more given to usage than strict adherence to conventional structure) for spoken versus written language. Even for written language, most individuals have two modes of communication; formal and informal.
Two, wouldn’t it be funny if the paper made the mistake in reporting the speech and there’s no issue here at all? Me would find that most hi-larious. But, that’s not likely as papers don’t make errors.
Bonus: it seems to I that someone who’s regularly careless with words, punctuation, and general sentence structure should be the last person mounting a charge up that grammatical high ground. Ask not what grammar can do for others; ask what youse can do for grammar. For this observation, me expects nothing but excuses and indignant arguments about how others should be held to a higher standard than one holds oneself. Also something about the purity of language and how it should be defended against the very unwashed hordes it came from.
Bonus 2: Methinks the primary function of language is to communicate. Think of language and communication as similar to food and sustenance. The primary use of food to nourish the individual. Now, there are some who will argue the “correct” placement of utensil and even the correct combination of different foods, but at the end of the day, no matter the utensils and no matter which food is served with other food (or in which sequence), the objective of providing nourishment is met when food is consumed. So it is with language. I don’t think anyone misunderstood Henry as far as what he meant to convey. In that regard, the primary function of language was met. Everything else is about where the utensils go and which way they should face. That matters to some, certainly . . . I think we call them “grammar Nazis” because they are so beloved by all.
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It was wrong and he should know better, ha had a proper education!
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Maybe ha wuz traying two communicative wit them folks whom mighty not be familiarity with pronouns . . . or antinouns.
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I get confused. When I was at school it was Meghan and I, now it is Meghan and me. Knowing our Royals one day it will be Meghan and U!
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I never get confused. I used to run it through my brain quickly like this :” I am glad to be here My brother and I are glad to be here ” That’s right. Big tick 🙂
Thank you for the warm welcome you’ve given me” ” Big tick
Thank you for the welcome you’ve given I” Kick in the pants.
” Thank you for the welcome you’ve given my brother and me” Big tick 🙂
But that’s just between you and (scratch of head) ME!
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I hereby promise never to complain about your grammar or you punctuation, or the lack thereof. 😻
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Thank you 😀
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You’re welcome! 🙂
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I cannot, from this post onward, make or hold to such a promise. Anyone daring and bold enough to criticize royalty should themselves be held to a higher standard (whether ha thinks so or whether ha doesn’t).
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How are you doing this week?! 🐻
How is Coco doing?! 🐶
HUGS and PATS!!! 🙂
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🐻 😊I’m feeling quite well this week ,thank you Carolyn, I’m still getting tired easily, perhaps it’s because I have to get up so early to give my Coco 🐶🐾 his pills an hour before his breakfast; he seems to have fully recovered from the operation, and is back to normal, always coming to me for treats, cuddles, pats and food 😊 🐶 🐶; once awake I find it hard to go back to bed, so I’m having 17/18 hour days every day. The WO hates getting up in the morning so I don’t get a break,
Next week she’s flying 🛪🛪 up to see Emma and our granddaughters again, so it will just be Coco and me 🐶🐾🐻 while she’s with 🐂 🐂 🐂 🐂🐷 🐑🐑4c,1p&2g
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Great to hear good news about you and Coco! Keep taking loving care of each other.
🐻 🐶
Hope WO had a safe and fun trip!
And that you and Coco have fun being bachelors while she’s gone! 😮 😉 😀
HUGS!!! 🙂
PS…if you get a chance in the next week come by my WP blog and read my post on More than a Few Good Men. 🙂
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She hasn’t gone yet Carolyn, and I don’t know how to fast forward the clocks to be rid of her 😈
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HA! You scamp! 😉 😛 😈 😀
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Oh, I commented back to your comments on my “Good Men” post. You can read my comments there. I just wanted to be sure you knew you are a good man and friend in my life here on WP. Thank you! 🐻 🙂
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How are you doing this week, Lord 🐻 iOfBow?!
🙂
HUGS to you and the War Office!
PATS to Coco!
🙂
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Sorry Carolyn, I haven’t been on much of late as you’ve noticed. Not feeling the greatest at the moment;. Open my email box occasionally,
Wont hug the WO we are in a state of war at the moment, and with luck there will be no Armistice 👿
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I’ve noticed you missing and was worried about you.
😀 😛 🙂
So sorry to hear you are not feeling well.
Please know that you are in my thoughts for feeling better.
Oh, my! At war with the WO?! Yikes. 😦
Please take care!
More (((HUGS))) and smileys…
🙂
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Meghan and “I” IS correct. It has only been in recent times (which drives me nuts!) that the incorrect “me” and Meghan has been used by all and sundry.
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It is not correct, obviously you are one of those that believe that “between you and I” is correct too?
No doubt you hold your knife at table as if you were about to write a letter.
I imagine after reading what you said that it would be but a very short drive!
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While spoken speech MAY be casual, it is always best to use standard grammar in speeches and formal occasions.
We used to draw all that branch diagraming on the blackboard which helps settles rules into many head firmly.(but not all depends on learning styles – that’s why teacher must use multiple strategies with a concept or with teaching a standard rule) – it was great – like art class with words!
(PS most of my juvenile delinquents who were 16 couldn’t read and didn’t care and their parole officer was just outside the door would know how to say this properly and correctly by the time they left my care…they came to see if one wants to be taken seriously – even if not able to buy the best outfit to wear, one must speak and write as intelligently as possible. Language usage can put a person on a higher level – great when trying to get a job or get members of community to change regulations or laws. But then again , those kids were all going to have to struggle for a good life and the prince never will.)
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Which gives him no excuse whatsoever for being lax.
I had a very basic, might even call it meagre, education; which wasn’t helped by it having the middle 6 years messed with by WWII, when I was moved around quite a bit.
My first girl friend spoke beautifully, she was well educated, and had had elocution at a top school; She liked my Cockney accent (which I still have – think Michael Caine) but she persevered and taught me what was right and wrong when it came to the English language.
I was luckier than your JD’s, I’d migrated to Australia, and there was no class distinction here, back then and I was accepted and treated as an equal (at 16 years) from day one.
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