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How Prince Harry and Meghan Markle blocked an application to name a new Australian bombing tanker in honor of their son Archie
- NSW RFS launched 737 large tanker truck named Marie Bashir unveiled last August
- Originally set out to be named Archie in honor of Prince Harry’s firstborn
- Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle ‘politely rejected’ the NSW government’s offer
- The aerial bombardment tank covered much territory during the recent wildfire season
An aerial bombardment tank that played a vital role during Australia’s horror wildfire season was almost called Archie before an actual intervention.
The New South Wales government wrote to Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle last year asking if the state Rural Fire Service could call their new 737 Large Air Tanker after their son Archie, who will be one next month.
The proposal was in recognition of the couple who confirmed Meghan’s pregnancy with her first-born during their Australian tour in late 2018.
In their response, royals thanked the New South Wales government for the “kind offer” before politely rejecting the request as their son “had not yet entered public life,” The Sunday Telegraph reported.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry rejected a request for a NSW firebomb tanker plane named after their son Archie (photographed together on a South African tour in September)
A NSW RFS spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that the official request was made by the office of the Minister for Emergency Services, David Elliott.
The firefighting plane was finally named after former NSW Governor Marie Bashir when it was unveiled last August.
The state’s first female governor, who served between 2001 and 2014, stated at the time of the presentation that honor humiliated her.
“Our emergency service members are world-class and I thank them for all they have done and continue to do, protecting the communities of New South Wales,” said Bashir.
The 737 Large Air Tanker (photographed in action during the recent wildfires) was eventually named Marie Bashir, after the first female Governor-General of NSW
NSW is the only Australian state or territory with a permanent ‘737 Fireliner’ large tanker, which can deliver 15,000 liters of water or retardant, carry 70 firefighters, and fly at speeds of up to 850km / h.
‘The new addition to the NSW RFS aerial firefighting fleet will be based at the RAAF Base in Richmond and can operate from some regional airports. It will be able to reach all parts of NSW in an hour, ‘announced NSW RFS at the time.
The 737 tanker was put into use within two days of its launch near Tenterfield in northwestern New South Wales.
Local State Deputy Robyn Preston, Minister David Elliott, former Marie Bashir, Deputy Commissioner Rob Rogers and Britt Coulson at the launch of the tanker last August.
The aircraft played an integral role in fighting major fires during the terror forest fire season from the northern and middle northern coast of the state to the southern coast of NSW and to the snowy mountain region.
The snub of Prince Harry and his wife came to light recently after the couple launched the new Archewell charity.
The name of the foundation was inspired by the word ‘Arche’, which in Greek means ‘source of action’ and influenced the name of her first-born son.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced that they were expecting their first child during their tour of Australia in 2018. They are photographed with their son Archie two days after his birth.
