The Duke and Duchess of Sussex to Step Back as Senior Royals: January 2020

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by Ista

There's a lot to ponder in the statement from the Queen. Clearly there was nothing agreed upon except the move to Canada. What is most interesting to me is the lack of any phrasing along the lines of " there has been broad agreement, with a few details soon to be arranged." That is the alarming part in this statement. Not what's in it, but what is missing.

Funny that what was "agreed", i.e. the move to Canada, is actually one of the most difficult problems to tackle due to the lingering questions about immigration, security, funding, etc.


The statement, however, stresses the sense of entitlement of the royals. Basically, Harry and Meghan have decided to move to Canada and everybody else, including the British and Canadian governments, are commanded to find a way as soon as possible to make it happen.


Republicans will have a field day with that !

Originally Posted by Lumutqueen

To me, personally, the statement says that the half in half out nature that the Sussexes wanted wasn’t accepted. What we’ll now see is the workings out of how the title situation should be handled. I think the issuing of new LPs will take place, potentially not just for H&M but for other members of the RF as well.

I think something has been agreed today, now they have to work out the logistics and the legislature if required.

The statement itself shows how much The Queen, Charles and William were blindsided by this.

I was thinking about that over lunch and I agree it is a good opportunity for new LPs to be issued limiting the HRH to children of a sovereign, children of the heir, and children of the eldest living child of the heir.


The problem is that HM won't agree to take away the HRHs of Beatrice and Eugenie, or of the Gloucesters and the Kents, so it remains to be seen if a special provision will be made to affect Harry and Meghan only and, otherwise, the LPs will apply only to people born after they are issued.


Personally, I think Harry and Meghan might keep the HRH, even if the statement may suggest otherwise.

[texankitcat]

Originally Posted by Ista

There's a lot to ponder in the statement from the Queen. Clearly there was nothing agreed upon except the move to Canada. What is most interesting to me is the lack of any phrasing along the lines of " there has been broad agreement, with a few details soon to be arranged." That is the alarming part in this statement. Not what's in it, but what is missing.

Yes, my thoughts as well. This must be very difficult for the Queen as her reign (and life) winds down to have so much upheaval in her family. This is what makes me most angry with the Sussex's.

[muriel]

Originally Posted by Ista

There's a lot to ponder in the statement from the Queen. Clearly there was nothing agreed upon except the move to Canada. What is most interesting to me is the lack of any phrasing along the lines of " there has been broad agreement, with a few details soon to be arranged." That is the alarming part in this statement. Not what's in it, but what is missing.

> I suspect there is no broad agreement other than the fact that H&M are indeed moving to Canada, and will not be full time royals going forward.

> Also, all of this is clearly work in progress. I suspect the next communication will be the full monty, with all the relevant questions addressed comprehensively. That will include titles, costs of security, funding pattern going forward, role within the BRF, patronages, offices etc. Putting out anything not fully cooked will have led to more questions than answers.

[_Heather_]

Originally Posted by Hallo girl

I cannot make up my mind if the lack of formal titles is because their retention is part of the discussion or if the queen wanted to emphasise this was a family matter as well as a royal matter.
She possibly wanted to emphasis how it affected them all as a family, over and above the logistics of the whole thing.

It felt sad.

If the transition period is that they live between the two countries , is that suggesting after the transition period they will leave the UK totally.

I know this is not an abdication but the queen was of an age to recall the affect of the abdication on her family, which was basically a family member leaving the family to live abroad and hardly set foot in the country again . She will have concerns that history does not repeat itself.

I fully agree that it did feel sad. It feels exhausted and sad and disappointed. I'm torn on the use of "Harry and Meghan" and "the Sussexes." On one hand this could very much be as you've stated in that she wanted to emphasize how very personal and how much a family matter it really is. On the other hand, she is the Queen, the head of the RF, the "boss" if you will, and very savvy. She will have understood that by leaving out "HRH" or "Duke and Duchess" there will be speculation and questions. It really feels to me as though the title portion of all this is still in discussion or perhaps is mostly decided without being formalized. I've no doubt that barring some very serious lapse in judgment regarding commercial enterprises, etc. they will retain their Duke and Duchess titles, if for no other reason than the great lengths it would take to remove them. I'm much less certain that they will retain their HRH status and this statement from BP certainly doesn't answer that question. The last few days have been chaotic but very interesting. I suspect the next few will be as well.

[Betsypaige]

Originally Posted by _Heather_

Hmmm...well, I think it was certainly smart to release a statement given the hubbub around all of this. I'm not sure that statement really told us a whole lot of anything but it was certainly very interesting as it appears to be a bit more personal that the usual statement s released by BP. It does appear that the Queen and Company aren't planning to keep the public totally out of the loop and good for them for reading the public mood and realizing that it would be a mistake to just say nothing.

I'm glad the Queen said something - it will hopefully help quiet the noise, and it's also always good to hear from HM ,especially about something so personal. You can tell this is still painful for her personally.....and I'm sure Charles.

[muriel]

Originally Posted by Lumutqueen

The statement itself shows how much The Queen, Charles and William were blindsided by this.

I could not agree more with you. Interestingly, the Queen is happy to share this fact with the public.

[Hallo girl]

Could Harry and Meghan ask for the title to be removed as part of their future plans to be self sufficient and not to be seen as trading on their connections?

[Lumutqueen]

Originally Posted by Hallo girl

Could Harry and Meghan ask for the title to be removed as part of their future plans to be self sufficient and not to be seen as trading on their connections?

My understanding, limited as it maybe, the HRH can go via an LP from The Queen. The Peerage has to be done via parliament. But yes they can ask, and it can be granted.

[Nico]

Sail away, sail away, sail away ...
But one is not amused, let's say one is frankly pissed.
Damage is done.
It's not over, and i expect more surprises to come ...

[_Heather_]

Originally Posted by Erin9

They objected to the word “bullying” by William in describing the Sussexes leaving their FT role. Which was the right thing to do.

They haven’t been getting along per Harry, and I doubt things have vastly improved given what’s happened since.

Agreed that it was very much the right thing to do. I don't believe for a second that anyone with even a passing interest in the RF could deny that these two brothers are not getting along and are not close. And I agree that it's unlikely that that has improved much given recent events. However, I think we should take it as a very, very good sign that they're able to agree that a statement of this sort should be issued. Are things good between them? Decidedly not. Are they still aware that accusations like that are harmful to the work that they have all been so deeply involved in? Absolutely. And it's a positive sign that even in times of turmoil they're able to act as adults long enough to publicly come together to refute such allegations. I wonder if this might not speak to the fact that underneath all the temper tantrums, loose cannon type behavior, and angry lashing out Harry might still have a small bit of respect for the members of his family that are left to deal with the fallout of all this.

[QueenMathilde]

I thought Beatrice and Eugine had their security detail taken away and now they pay for it? Why can't it be the same with Harry and Meghan? If they're really only going to be part-time royals they will be out of the spotlight.

[Betsypaige]

Originally Posted by _Heather_

Just a quick glance at social media shows that much of the public is rolling their eyes after this statement from BP. I'm seeing lots of comments in the vein of "the RF made an offer, Harry and Meghan refused, let's sit back and watch the temper tantrums and toys flying out of the pram." The language used in the statement appears to be me to be more personal than what we usually see and the "we would have preferred" certainly makes it clear that the RF aren't pleased about the way this has been handled.

So the public is attacking the Queen for her statement

[Helen.CH]

Does this show something important?
if ... Members and later in the same sentence valued part of the family...

[QueenMathilde]

Also the papers are speculating whether or not they'll make Beatrice and Eugene working royals to take up the slack. Anyone think there's any possibility of that (especially in the wake of the whole Andrew debacle?)

[Claire]

I really would have loved to see the many versions of the press release. I doubt the Queen had anything to do with it. So BP is out with the spin doctor.
Not using the titles might also be an attempt to be young and relevant.
I expect Charles, William and Harry & Meghan to release their confirmation
#familyunite statements shortly.

[Gawin]

Originally Posted by texankitcat

Yes, my thoughts as well. This must be very difficult for the Queen as her reign (and life) winds down to have so much upheaval in her family. This is what makes me most angry with the Sussex's.

My thoughts exactly! First Andrew then Harry and all this at a time when the UK must deal with a looming Brexit. How disappointed the Queen must be!

[Ista]

I started out today stating on this forum that I thought H and M would get virtually everything they demanded, and based on the tone and content of Her Majesty's statement, I am drastically rethinking that. It feels almost as though what she is saying is that she, Charles and William love Harry and understand his and his wife's desire to do their own thing, but that is on the personal side. The reference to the couple as Harry and Meghan, and then as the Sussexes, no use of their styles or titles really is in stark contrast to that. You can't help wondering what it means.

And yes, so, so sad and unnecessary.

[_Heather_]

Originally Posted by Betsypaige

So the public is attacking the Queen for her statement

I don't necessarily think I'd put it quite that way. Most seem to be praising the Queen for being open about where things stand, the fact that this is not happening by her choice, etc. They seem more to be stating that they believe the Queen and Company made an offer, the Sussexes refused it, and now because they haven't been pandered to there will be temper tantrums and fireworks. I've yet to see anything actually attacking or even criticizing the Queen but rather it's Harry and Meghan who are assumed to be stamping their feet.

[Nico]

Originally Posted by BaiSoSo

I'm disappointed that the Sussexes have been run out being full-time royals (and they were...but no role/job is worth the constant bullying they received). However, I'm also excited for them and can't wait to see what they do with all of their new opportunities.

As for the rest, the British media can focus on the other royals who do hard work and don't get coverage (aka the Countess of Wessex, Princesses Anne) and the rest who will be King & Queen consorts can have the British media spotlight all to themselves now.

And many many people are soooo glad to have the "rest", i reassure you

[_Heather_]

Originally Posted by Claire

I really would have loved to see the many versions of the press release. I doubt the Queen had anything to do with it. So BP is out with the spin doctor.
Not using the titles might also be an attempt to be young and relevant.
I expect Charles, William and Harry & Meghan to release their confirmation
#familyunite statements shortly.

Whilst I totally agree that the Queen did not sit down and personally pen that statement, I fully believe that she did sign off on it before it was released and would have demanded edits to it if it were not what she wanted released. On mundane subjects perhaps statements are released without her direct signature. However, I 100% believe that in issues such as these, with public feeling at the level that it is, she would not allow a statement to go out on her behalf without personally signing off on it.