The Duke & Duchess of Sussex and Family, News and Events 4: April-June 2021

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by camelot23ca

I don’t think Charles would have had a problem funding part of Harry’s lifestyle indefinitely. What may have been murky was what Harry was getting the money for. Charles may have seen the money he gave Harry as sort of a salary for his work as a royal, while Harry saw it as just money from dad, with no conditions or strings attached. When Harry upset the apple cart with very little notice and expected the funding to continue, or even increase to cover the security costs, Charles may have balked.

I think that security in particular was something that Harry took for granted as he has had PPOs for his entire life. So I believe he was genuinely shocked when he learned that he and his family wouldn't get it anymore, even though he should have realized that it was not realistic to expect the Met Police to protect them 24/7 in Canada. Curiously, he doesn't seem to blame the Canadians for withdrawing RCMP protection. Instead, he blames the Palace for his "change of status", which in turn prompted the Canadian decision to discontinue police protection.

[Denville]

Originally Posted by Moran

Which makes me wonder if they still thought that it was the RF throwing a tantrum before admitting their star power and irreplaceable qualities and begging them to come back at the end of the one year long review. Given what Harry said, they do seem blindsided by the actions of the RF who didn't adhere to the script Harry and Meghan had drawn in their heads. There's no other reason for them to try and make themselves acceptable to the British public but the expectation to get their half in, half out scenario at the end. The American public was always going to embrace them.

I jsut find it hard to imagine Meghan at least coming back, once she'd settled in LA. I think she was done with the UK by then.. but if the RF had said, "Please come back as part timers".. she might have come back occasionally for a few engagements, Harry might have come back more often...with the excuse that Meghan had commitments in LA and was looking after the children, while he would go back and do a bit more work in the UK.. But it didn't happen..

[Moran]

Originally Posted by Denville

I jsut find it hard to imagine Meghan at least coming back, once she'd settled in LA. I think she was done with the UK by then.. but if the RF had said, "Please come back as part timers".. she might have come back occasionally for a few engagements, Harry might have come back more often...with the excuse that Meghan had commitments in LA and was looking after the children, while he would go back and do a bit more work in the UK.. But it didn't happen..

That's what I meant but my English isn't at its best when I've got a headache... IMO, in the interview they looked genuinely surprised that they didn't get their way - and their way was always the half in, half out thing and Meghan going back for the glamorous parts and little else. That was what their manifesto was about and with every word Harry spoke in the interview, I was left with the impression that they really expected the review to end theur way, hence the announcement that they were moving to Canada. They wouldn't need the UK's goodwill if they were really done with being working royals but they would if they were to come back part time.

[suztav]

Harry just wanted to be a regular person. Well, buddy, we regular people don’t get handouts from Daddy.

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by Sandy345

Although, some royals like the QUeen Mother would pay attention to William and ignore Harry.

How do you know that ?

[Sandy345]

One of her interviews or comments. I have to look it up.

One article, I have to go through books about Diana to get more.

https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertain...nonsense.html/

https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/...-heir-22354180

[Roslyn]

I have just had a look at the information at https://sussexroyal.com/funding/ and I found it confusing. It talks about funding for the "Office of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex". It says 5% comes from the Sovereign Grant to "covering costs associated with employing members of their official office".

Immediately before that, the site says, "Since the establishment of The Office of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, 95 percent of the funding received for their Office expenditure is derived from income allocated by HRH The Prince of Wales, generated through the Duchy of Cornwall. This provision has been in place since Prince William and Prince Harry first established their offices in support of The Queen, and is the responsibility of The Prince of Wales. This information continues to be available on The Duchy of Cornwall website."

That blurb contains a link to a separate page which talks about the "new working model" proposed in early 2020, and that page says: "After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution. We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family, and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen."

Still confusing, but my point is they seem to be saying that the 95% from Charles was for costs associated with "The Office of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex", and surely private living expenses are not costs of "The Office". Further, the funding for their Office expenditure would surely be expected to cease once they ceased to be working members of the Royal Family at all and had no "Office", which is what has happened. So why would they still expect to receive money from Charles?

[Betsypaige]

Originally Posted by RandyDrx

You're right, I was getting ahead of myself and believe me, I'm trying to think more positively, but it's hard to do when you have been pessimistic for a long time. That said, I also think that reconciliation is the best path for both sides to take so this drama can finally be consigned to the history books.

I’m the most pessimistic, worried person you can imagine, believe me...you don’t need to go crazy trying to change. I just don’t ever want to give up on a reconciliation because that would be incredibly sad. They love each other ...now I think we just have to give it time. I do hope that their every move won’t be psychoanalyzed - I’m so tired of body language experts. I saw one today say that Charles was walking out of step with his siblings during the funeral, so it means that he’s going to do whatever he wants to do. Just stop and let the family breathe.

[Betsypaige]

Originally Posted by Hallo girl

I have always wondered at what point they really decided to leave, until the interview when they said quite clearly that they had not side lined the family with their decision as it had been under discussion for 2 years.

They made the announcement in 2020 so 2 years takes it to 2018 either before or after the wedding. That is where I now have the problem as it appears there was always a plan, so I am not sure how they can say it was due to media coverage or the treatment Meghan received by the family/ institution or the media.

It was clear after they left that they’d had a plan in place for a long time..no one just spontaneously moved across the ocean just because, with no idea of what they were going to do. That’s what bothered/s me; they never had any intention of staying if they couldn’t get exactly what they wanted

[amaryllus]

Originally Posted by suztav

Harry just wanted to be a regular person. Well, buddy, we regular people don’t get handouts from Daddy.

I do believe His idea of “regular” is like The Middletons and many of his old girl friends and the other extremely wealthy but non aristocratic people he grew up around. Plenty of cash and leisure time to vacation but no duties or responsibilities that come from a title.

That someone had to work long long hours and scrimp and probably do without to get the money to have that privileged life for their descendants has most likely never occurred to Harry because I just don’t see him as that reflective or thoughtful.

[Curryong]

Harry served ten years in the army which included two periods in active service in Afghanistan. During that decade he mixed with ‘ordinary people’ every day, to a far greater extent, I would suggest, than many other senior royals in his family. Service life is a great leveller.

[Hallo girl]

Originally Posted by Curryong

Harry served ten years in the army which included two periods in active service in Afghanistan. During that decade he mixed with ‘ordinary people’ every day, to a far greater extent, I would suggest, than many other senior royals in his family. Service life is a great leveller.

He is not the only royal to serve in the military or a war zone. I am also not sure how it levelled Harry now living in his mansion.

[Curryong]

Now Prince Philip has gone Harry is the only royal besides Andrew to have served in a war zone. And practically every one of his near relations in his birth family also live in mansions. Just because he does doesn’t mean that Harry doesn’t have the capacity to empathise with the problems of people he has met over the years and I do believe he does.

[UglyAmerican]

I don't see how they could have made the part-time thing work if they lived in the US rather than a Commonwealth country. I don't know how workable it would have been from Canada, either, but it might have been at least theoretically possible if they (or just Harry) was willing to fly back and forth a lot. So if Canada was a blind, then that whole plan would have been one, and I don't think it was.

[Alisa]

Originally Posted by US Royal Watcher

I know they complained about leaks and misinformation. The silly story about making Meghan cry and the allegations that Meghan bullied her staff - which is under investigation by an independent organization. As we all know, all the royals are subject to untrue stories and they have all used the media from time to time. None of that excuses Harry and Meghan publicly trashing their own family with untrue allegations - such as Archie isn't a prince because of his heritage.

The coupled aired their grievances to Oprah- some where legit others not so. The RF must stay above the fray and not appear to be leaking (or continue to ) leak info that puts the Sussexes in a bad light no matter how common place the practice is. " Tit for tat "behavior is simply not a good look.

[US Royal Watcher]

Originally Posted by Curryong

Now Prince Philip has gone Harry is the only royal besides Andrew to have served in a war zone. And practically every one of his near relations in his birth family also live in mansions. Just because he does doesn’t mean that Harry doesn’t have the capacity to empathise with the problems of people he has met over the years and I do believe he does.

I agree with you but the issue isn't his empathy, it is whether his expectations were reasonable. When he and Meghan stepped back, they thought Canadians would pay for their security. It wasn't wishful thinking it is because the Prime Minister said so.

However, when that offer was withdrawn, I don't think there was a plan B. Based on the interview, I surmise that Harry thought that Charles should pick up the cost. I can understand why he asked but Charles didn't want to do it. Harry became angry, which I can understand. But I think it is deplorable that he trashed Charles in an interview and has not expressed a public word of appreciation to his father for supporting him all those years.

But that is my middle-class values talking.

[US Royal Watcher]

Originally Posted by Alisa

The coupled aired their grievances to Oprah- some where legit others not so. The RF must stay above the fray and not appear to be leaking (or continue to ) leak info that puts the Sussexes in a bad light no matter how common place the practice is. " Tit for tat "behavior is simply not a good look.

I generally agree with that but there is a point when I am very sympathetic that the people attacked want to respond - and I think Harry and Meghan crossed that point. I don't think it is fair to expect the royal family to not want to respond to allegations of racism and cruelty.

[Alisa]

Originally Posted by suztav

Harry just wanted to be a regular person. Well, buddy, we regular people don’t get handouts from Daddy.

Harry said all they wanted to do was to "step back" from being senior royals not "walk away". Security is extremely important as Harry is the son of a future King. Since marrying a woman of color there has been an increased risk and threats against him and his family. Daddy should've always continued to provide security.

[amaryllus]

Originally Posted by Curryong

Now Prince Philip has gone Harry is the only royal besides Andrew to have served in a war zone. And practically every one of his near relations in his birth family also live in mansions. Just because he does doesn’t mean that Harry doesn’t have the capacity to empathise with the problems of people he has met over the years and I do believe he does.

I am sure he is sympathetic about someone losing their job or being Hungry. Most people would be. You want them to feel better. But feeling Empathy means you can relate emotionally to them losing a job or going hungry because you have been there in their shoes. It’s stronger and deeper. Now if he meets someone just lost a beloved grandfather or is on the outs with their brother he can relate to them.

[UglyAmerican]

Originally Posted by Alisa

Harry said all they wanted to do was to "step back" from being senior royals not "walk away". Security is extremely important as Harry is the son of a future King. Since marrying a woman of color there has been an increased risk and threats against him and his family. Daddy should've always continued to provide security.

The absolute maximum he'd be entitled to on that basis is whatever amount security would cost if he were living quietly at Frogmore. That's not going to put a dent in the security costs for his Montecito mansion. Assuming that conversation occurred before they bought the mansion, I think it's very odd that they bought such a home while they were worried about being able to pay for security. Their priorities aren't what most people's would have been.