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

[O-H Anglophile]

Originally Posted by JessRulz

From Dan Wootton, who had the exclusive on the move:

"Their statement has left the Queen “deeply upset” and Charles and William “incandescent with rage”, as it “was not cleared with anyone”. I’m told the recent portrait featuring the trio and Prince George was the final straw."

"A source has told me the couple will now also work on commercial products, explaining: “Make no mistake, Harry and Meghan intend to make a lot of money and start taking commercial deals as soon as possible.”"

"The senior royal source told me the statement “breaks all protocol. This is a declaration of war on the family... Harry and Meghan wanted it their way or the highway.”"

"I’m told Harry and Meghan decided to rush out a statement after learning yesterday that The Sun was about to break the story. In doing so, courtiers say they have “exiled themselves from the royal family”."

I have serious reservations about using their royal status for profit. When Andrew’s profit making side-line came to light in the recent fiasco, his whole charity was ended. I am appalled.

And if Meghan and Harry were really upset that much by a photo of the Queen and her three direct heirs, then they are delusional.

[amaryllus]

Why would The Photo with George be particular trigger or “Final straw“? That makes no sense. Being thwarted having exactly what the want all the time and being self important and entitled now that makes sense.

[suztav]

Originally Posted by O-H Anglophile

I have serious reservations about using their royal status for profit. When Andrew’s profit making side-line came to light in the recent fiasco, his whole charity was ended. I am appalled.



And if Meghan and Harry were really upset that much by a photo of the Queen and her three direct heirs, then they are delusional.

If this is true, then they are dillusional and in for a rude awakening.

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by JessRulz

Generally, two weeks notice is a professional courtesy when resigning from a position...

The crucial point is that, having been notified one week ago, the Palace was willing to find an arrangement that would accomodate the Sussexes’s will , but still keep them in the fold under the Firm’s chain of command. As I discussed in a rather detailed post before, I think that would have been difficult both on the UK and on the Canadian sides , but, at least, the Palace was trying to work something out.

But, then, the Sussexes, either because they panicked over The Sun’s story, or because of bad advice, or because they felt they were not getting it their way and wanted to put pressure on the Palace ( out of sheer arrogance really), or all of the above, decided to drop this bombshell today in the worst possible way anyone could think of. I don’t think they deserve any accommodation or goodwill now, but I suspect the RF will try to strike a conciliatory tone nonetheless.

[Pranter]

Why does anyone think the media/reporters are accurate in these claims? Seriously ppl..this is the media who have run around making false claims for years about all of them.


LaRae

[_Heather_]

Originally Posted by JessRulz

From Dan Wootton, who had the exclusive on the move:

"Their statement has left the Queen “deeply upset” and Charles and William “incandescent with rage”, as it “was not cleared with anyone”. I’m told the recent portrait featuring the trio and Prince George was the final straw.

If that's true then this truly is nothing more than a temper tantrum of epic proportions thrown by two spoiled brats who saw themselves as far more central and important than they really are. Those were portraits of the Queen and her heirs. Period. They are the future and the continuity of the monarchy. Harry, Meghan, and Archie were never going to be that. They were never the heirs. If the historic portraits showing the Queen with three future generations of monarchs really set them off then they need to be sat down immediately and have it driven home in no uncertain terms that they are not nearly as central to the monarchy as they apparently believe themselves to be.

[HRHHermione]

I think the fact that neither Clarence House nor Kensington Palace have put out statements yet says a lot about how unprepared they were for this

[Iluvbertie]

I have been watching the UK Sky News and they have a Press Preview show where they discuss the headline stories from the papers. One of the commentators is saying that this is a worse crisis than Andrew AND that Harry and Meghan are actually republicans (he is a well-known republican). He is scathing about this decisions (well both the commentators are but the republican guy is stronger in condemning Harry and Meghan).

I have also heard some of the press are saying the decision by Harry and Meghan to not use the royal rota of correspondents will backfire on them as the other reporters will continue to get their stories or make them up.

[Halley]

I thought Meghan would either be a treasure or a disaster. Unfortunately, it is the latter.



I knew there was something wrong when they decided that little Archie would have no title. This seemed to me to take away his birthright. I cannot believe that they have made this statement without talking it through with the Queen and Prince Charles.


They seem to want to retain some status within the Royal Family, but to go their own way, do their own thing. I am not sure that they can. It is the Duke of Windsor and Mrs. Simpson all over, I fear.


Perhaps Prince Charles with look again at allowing Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie to take over some of the Royal Duties. The Countess of Wessex will have to work even harder. She and the Duchess of Cornwall are very good examples. (Of course, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge do everything well and must be a support to Prince Charles.)


I just hope that it doesn't seriously affect the Queen's health.

[_Heather_]

Originally Posted by poppy7

You know this is one of two things.

1. Like everyone says. Tanturming teens.

2. Two people who are actually spinning out of control and need support more than anything else

Because this done calmly would have been a brief statement announcing a resigning from public duties, continuing to be in the family, yaga yaga.

But this is none of those things. It is volatile and quite frankly a little scary. I don't know whether to despair at them or worry about them profoundly.

This is all actually a very good point. It does appear to be boiling down to one of these two options or a terrible combination of the two. I agree that this does very much look like they're spinning completely out of control. Regardless of how you feel about Meghan's family, it's clear that she doesn't come from a background of close family ties, deep loyalty, considering others in addition to oneself, etc. and has very much come from a place of taking care of oneself without worrying about how it impacts others. And Harry has long spoken of his mental health struggles, lack of acceptance about his mother's death, etc. Combined it appears that the two of them may very well be spiraling and bringing out the worst tendencies in each other's personalities/coping mechanisms/etc.

[JessRulz]

Originally Posted by Pranter

Why does anyone think the media/reporters are accurate in these claims? Seriously ppl..this is the media who have run around making false claims for years about all of them.


LaRae

Considering Dan Wootton was correct in his scoop on this matter, I think we can give him some credence on follow-up info.

[gerry]

Originally Posted by Osipi

Wouldn't residing part of the year in Canada be actually residing part of the year in a Commonwealth country? To me, that is actually highlighting their Commonwealth positions and goals to support and work for the Commonwealth nations.

I can't wrap my head around the supposition that Harry would blatantly blindside his grandmother. He's always seemed to be quite close to her and it seems so out of character for him to even *think* about hurting her in any way. The original statement issued said "We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge, and all relevant parties. Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support.” I can't picture Harry being so underhanded as to state something like this and knowing well that no one else knew a thing about their plans. Just being logical here.

I also have read over and over again the statement "We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family, and work to become financially independent.." Does this necessarily state point blank that "financially independent" as in relation to their own pockets and profit? Or could it mean that their work, their office and staff will be financially independent from the "Firm"?

The website now divides itself into three portions of where Harry and Meghan's goals are going to be. The Community, the Monarchy and the Commonwealth. Is that really so much different than what their aims were when they were with the "Firm"?

It'll be interesting to see how everything develops from here on out. I'm not going to even think of forming a judgement or opinion until the fog lifts on so many questions that have been presented just by all of us here in this thread. I'm sure everyone and their mailman's nemesis called "Fang" on Everyday Street has wheels turning like crazy in their heads over all this.

Thanks Osipi for the opportunity to share your 'wait and see' message, as well as this opinion piece from the Toronto Star on the Sussex announcement. Clearly the Duke and Duchess have had enough of the craziness surrounding their press/tabloid ascribed identities and want the ability to project their own messages rather than what the editors of the Sun or Evening Standard feel will sell their newspapers. Who is Dan Wootten anyway and who cares!? In the meantime, here is one Canadian's answer:
https://www.thestar.com/entertainmen...ou-belong.html

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by Iluvbertie

I have been watching the UK Sky News and they have a Press Preview show where they discuss the headline stories from the papers. One of the commentators is saying that this is a worse crisis than Andrew AND that Harry and Meghan are actually republicans (he is a well-known republican). He is scathing about this decisions (well both the commentators are but the republican guy is stronger in condemning Harry and Meghan).

I have also heard some of the press are saying the decision by Harry and Meghan to not use the royal rota of correspondents will backfire on them as the other reporters will continue to get their stories or make them up.

Harry may or may not be a republican as you claim, but it sure looks like he was under some delusion that he and his wife could somehow become de facto a proxy Viceroy and Vicereine of Canada, which is not how the UK/Canada relationship works now ( as you, as an AustralIan, probably understand better than we do). And he was also under a delusion that he and his wife could be free agents within the Royal Famiily, carving out a new “ progressive role” for the institution outside the normal chain of command, as if he were more important than the heirs in direct line when, in reality, right now he is technically even less senior than his uncles in precedence.

Seriously, I can’t possibly imagine where this astonishing lack of judgment came from ( his wife or his own personal/emotional issues, or whatever).

[DeeT]

Just a few weeks ago, Wootton & the Sun claimed Harry & Meghan were in the US, when they were in Canada. Not sure why anyone would believe all that nonsense from a reporter associated with terrible past conduct, just based on 1 scoop..

I also saw the press reviews, no surprise, typical of those type of commentators they’ve never had anything positive to say about the Sussexes. I’m so glad the Royal Rota will not be used, they can focus on the Queen & her direct heirs, just as many of them wished for & had recently written numerous articles about.

[ACO]

Originally Posted by JessRulz

Considering Dan Wootton was correct in his scoop on this matter, I think we can give him some credence on follow-up info.

He also was forced to admit he lied on another exclusive not to long ago. That said I credit him on this initial school of them leaving but all these added details now seem more like padding a story. But time will tell like it always does.

[O-H Anglophile]

Originally Posted by Pranter

Why does anyone think the media/reporters are accurate in these claims? Seriously ppl..this is the media who have run around making false claims for years about all of them.


LaRae

Until today, I wouldn’t have given it credence, Now, I’m willing to at least entertain the idea as truth.

[kalnel]

I wonder how they are envisioning their future ventures without the royal connection. Meghan was a virtual unknown before the wedding -- a B-list celebrity on a cable show -- so it's not like she has the cachet of a George Clooney, Oprah, or the Obamas. And Harry has burned through a lot of goodwill by blindsiding the Queen with this.

[Tatiana Maria]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

[...] I suspect the RF will try to strike a conciliatory tone [...]

I think they would be wise to strike a conciliatory tone, but a palace spokeswoman has surprisingly given another short statement to the BBC.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-51041950

Originally Posted by ACO

He also was forced to admit he lied on another exclusive not to long ago.

Can you provide a link to this?

[duke of poliganc]

Well, I can't say that I am shocked by this I did expect something like this with these two.

It's the arrogance and privilege at full force and a prat attitude.

They are both used to get the sympathy and benefit of the doubt from the son of the Princess of people who just want a normal life, to the African American who was never accepted by the archaic firm she married in to and the bad media.

I say to them walk a mile in The York's shoes or even a normal highschool kid who would have much rathered to get bad stories in the press while living in a palace, jets, a televised wedding, etc...

I remember when the "Prince" was applauded for attacking the media for speculation about him dating Meghan while at the same time saying that Sarah Ferguson was out of touch cause she fought back against one of the press attacks her daughters get on a daily basis.

[US Royal Watcher]

I confess that I have not had time to read through the entire thread - but what I have read so far has been very thoughtful and interesting.

Since the African tour, it has been obvious that they have been unhappy and are concerned that the stress may have undermined their health. For that reason, I think it is a good move and hope they will find a good balance moving forward.

I find it difficult to believe that Harry and Meghan did not discuss this with Charles and William, at least. It's possible they were not consulted about the timing - and it is also possible that palace didn't know about it yet. However, I find it hard to believe that Harry and Meghan would announce that Charles would continue funding their activities and they would continue to live at Frogmore and travel for the Queen, if they had not had any discussions with them.

I also sincerely doubt they were upset by the release of the photo of the Queen and her direct heirs. At the same time, it's hard to discern the current relationships among the family members. I could be wrong but when I watched their interview a few months ago I got the impression that Harry and Meghan felt the family was not being as supportive as they should have been. Mainly, I assume that because Harry and Meghan had several opportunities to say that the family had been supportive and didn't. To be fair, I'm not sure that Harry and Meghan know what they want and need, so it may be hard for their loved ones to know how to support them.

Obviously, Harry and Meghan want to create a new role in the family, but don't seem to be able to explain what that would look like. I wonder if it would have been less disruptive to simply tell the Queen and Charles that they want to cut back on their official appearances. I find it hard to believe that Charles and the Queen would have tried to force them to do things they did not want or would stop them from getting involved in any particular charitable cause. So the only thing that I can think of that would have been off limits is getting involved with politics. However, if they become political, it will be difficult (if not impossible) to support the Queen in any official capacity.

It certainly will be a change and I will be very interested to see what happens and what the other people on this board think about it.