Royally Screwed

It is hard to believe that in this day and age, any part of a celebrities life can remain confidential. Our culture is obsessed with the media, and we feel as though we have a right into every aspect of anyone in the public eye.  It is no wonder public relations is needed constantly for nearly every celebrity, entertainer, and political figure out there.  As privacy seems to diminish for these public figures, image and reputation are on the forefront of their minds.  

It seems now, however, that amazingly enough, secrets amongst even the most famous of people can sneak past the media and public attention.  ABC news reports to the U.S. that Prince Harry, 3rd in line for the throne, has been secretly fighting in Afghanistan for a reported 10 weeks!  Fighting against the Taliban as  a Joint Terminal Air Controller, Queen Elizabeth allowed the prince to leave after Christmas and return home to the United Kingdom in April.  Until now, the public had no idea!  The Defense Ministry did make a deal with select British press organizations to have exclusive access to the Prince as long as his deployment was kept a secret until his return.  

Thanks to the international media, plans change.  The information regarding Prince Harry's deployment was leaked by German newspaper Berliner Kurier, the U.S. website Drudge Report, and an Australian magazine, New Idea.  This is an extreme disappointment to the British Army, the press organizations that kept it a secret for nearly 3 months, and most importantly to Prince Harry himself.  No amount of public relations in the world can fix this disaster.  It appears now that the Prince will have to return home early, as it is not safe for him to continue his participation in the war.  This knowledge not only puts him, but also his comrades in danger once the media begins reporting on his every move.        

This just goes to show that the media, especially in the U.S., are more concerned with getting a story and making a profit than the confidentiality of important international affairs.  With the break of the story, however, it seems as though the reputation of the media sources that leaked the information may be at stake.  New Idea refused comment and already pulled the article once the news broke in the U.S.  I can't speak for the rest of the public, but I know that I do not think highly of these sources.  For them to have such little concern for the safety and well-being of the people, especially royalty, risking their lives for us is appalling.  I think the ones who are going to need PR help in this case will be ones in charge of this leak.  Although I'm sure it was expected to happen at some point, the fact that this event was kept a secret for 10 weeks by the media makes it an even bigger let down.  I guess I just don't see this story as being worth it for New Idea or Drudge Report.  Shame on them...