[HPforGrownups] sharing an unimportant discovery that made me laugh

[Shaun Hately]

No: HPFGUIDX 100210

On 6 Jun 2004 at 21:09, Alina wrote:

> Oh don't ruin it for me. I had such fun imagining. You know, an evening at
> the Dursleys, Petunia washing dishes and peering out of the window. Vernon
> watching TV. Little Dudley and Little Harry on the ground, the former
> pouding the latter with his chubby fists for the sheer fun of it. The news
> come on and the reporter shows a picture of the happy couple and announces
> that the newborn Henry Charles Albert David Windsor is lovingly called Harry
> by his overjoyed family. "Rubbish!" snorts Vernon and angrily walks over to
> the TV to turn it off while Little Harry looks over, attracted by the sound
> of his name. "Petunia!" Vernon bellows, annoyed that the child heard and
> sure that he, despite his young age, is gloating at his cousin, "Put the
> runt to bed, he's bothering Dudley!"
> 
> You have to admit, it would've been funny.

Actually, it's not an impossible scene, by any means.

At some point, I'm fairly sure the Palace must have made it clear 
that referring to the Prince as Harry was fine - because there's 
certain publications that use the name which wouldn't do so unless 
it had some formal status. I'm not sure when this was (and without 
going back through old newspapers couldn't pinpoint it) but it 
certainly could have been quite early - maybe even when his name 
was announced - hmm, I can probably check that at least...

You're in luck!

>From The Times of 17th September 1984:

"Prince Henry Charles Albert David, second child of the Prince and 
Princess of Wales and third in line of succession to the throne, 
left the austerity of hospital for the comfort of his royal home at 
Kensington Palace yesterday afternoon less than 24 hours after his 
birth.

Cradled by his mother and watched over by his adoring father, 
Prince Harry - as he is to be known..."

So it looks like your scenario would work.

Although I suspect that the Dursleys are the type who would insist 
on calling him Prince Henry if they ever discussed him. (-8


Yours Without Wax, Dreadnought
Shaun Hately | www.alphalink.com.au/~drednort/thelab.html
(ISTJ)       | drednort at alphalink.com.au | ICQ: 6898200 
"You know the very powerful and the very stupid have one
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facts. They alter the facts to fit the views. Which can be 
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