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

[maria-olivia]

Did Buckingham Palace knew about they Wish. What is their Reaction , must not be easy. I saw already durinf HM Speech and before that they were no picture of Harry, Meghan and Archie.
Will they keep their Title of Duke and Duchess of Sussex ?

[CrownPrincessJava]

Truth be told, I am not in the slight surprised by this announcement. And frankly, I applaud them.

In the year 2020, the current model of the BRF is utterly out of date and completely unsustainable. Every European royal household have modernised their rules of the royal household, with Sweden being the latest. Did people actually expect two mature adults to accept their inability to produce private income? Did you expect a person who is now so far removed from the throne to accept not being able to control and make career decisions, plan his life, as well as their family? No, you cannot. Just look at the continental European royal models. Unless you're the DIRECT heir, you are expected to find your own path. Prince Harry wants that. He wants the same freedoms that other Royals are given and afforded - including his two titled cousins. And who could blame him?

I've read their website and I've interpreted they want complete financial independence, including away from the Duchy of Cornwall. They know that in the near future the Duchy will be handed to Prince William. They are being proactive with shaping their future. And I applaud them for being progressive and forcing change. And for those who claim that they'll use their titles to exploit - non-titled members of the BRF have used their family relations to do the same. Remember Peter Phillips? In addition, the Sussexes have spelled out the rules of engagement with the media and are taking back control of the relationship with the media, which needed to happen. For too long the Sussexes have waited for more forceful action from the RF in relation to media. The BRF have been far too passive and have enabled the media to become far more aggressive.

I don't believe that the Queen or Prince Charles were completely unaware and were working with the Sussexes. The release of their statement more appears that the Sussexes were dealing with stalling tactics and/or indecision. So they've made the decision for all.

And as for titles - if Prince Andrew can retain all his titles and decorations after his explosive interview and connections, the Sussexes more than deserve theirs.

[suztav]

Originally Posted by CrownPrincessJava

Truth be told, I am not in the slight surprised by this announcement. And frankly, I applaud them.



In the year 2020, the current model of the BRF is utterly out of date and completely unsustainable. Every European royal household have modernised their rules of the royal household, with Sweden being the latest. Did people actually expect two mature adults to accept their inability to produce private income? Did you expect a person who is now so far removed from the throne to accept not being able to control and make career decisions, plan his life, as well as their family? No, you cannot. Just look at the continental European royal models. Unless you're the DIRECT heir, you are expected to find your own path. Prince Harry wants that. He wants the same freedoms that other Royals are given and afforded - including his two titled cousins. And who could blame him?



I've read their website and I've interpreted they want complete financial independence, including away from the Duchy of Cornwall. They know that in the near future the Duchy will be handed to Prince William. They are being proactive with shaping their future. And I applaud them for being progressive and forcing change. And for those who claim that they'll use their titles to exploit - non-titled members of the BRF have used their family relations to do the same. Remember Peter Phillips?



I don't believe that the Queen or Prince Charles were completely unaware and were working with the Sussexes. The release of their statement more appears that the Sussexes were dealing with stalling tactics and/or indecision. So they've made the decision for all.



And as for titles - if Prince Andrew can retain all his titles and decorations after his explosive interview and connections, the Sussexes more than deserve theirs.

I don’t disagree with your thoughts on the need to modernize the monarchy. I think what has everyone upset is the manner in which they chose to do it. This type of decision and announcement should have come from the Queen not from Meghan and Harry.

[AdmirerUS]

There is a lot we (and I think the family) don't know yet. It will be interesting to watch things play out over decades.

And while I am surprised that it just happened, I am not surprised that it happened. I think Harry has had this dream of doing it his own way for a very long time. No doubt having a soul mate who agreed with him helped make the decision easier.

[Iluvbertie]

I have no problem with them wanting to be financially independent so long as they don't do it by cashing in on their royal titles and status.

If they aren't working for the Firm they should also not get the benefits of the Firm - so full rent for Frogmore and no taxpayer funded transport or security.

They also need to walk away completely and not this apparent half in and half out scenario.

They either are working royals or they aren't. If not then go and make their own money but as Mountbatten-Windsor but not as TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Someone upthread mentioned the Duke of Gloucester working as an architect. He did but only until his older brother died when he became the heir to the Dukedom at which point he put aside his own wishes to serve his Queen and country.

[Kataryn]

Originally Posted by rob2008

She is only getting her way by psychologically manipulating her husband into believing his wife is being persecuted like his mother. ugh.

If you read how they wrote about Meghan, especially the "opinion pieces" based on purely lies, then you know the media would have loved nothing more than playing the old, old Diana-Sarah game again and again with Meghan and Catherine. With Catherine the future queen and Meghan the biracial American. Meghan not persecuted like Diana??? No, worse. She is persecuted even worse than the then "Duchess of Pork".

But this Duchess does not lave without taking her man and son with her.


Btw: I dont buy that Harry did not talk to his grandmother and father before publishing his piece. Does the queen now have to put Meghan next to her in her Bentley when she is driven to church next sunday???

[Hallo girl]

Originally Posted by Kataryn

It's all here if you care to read:
In the spring of 2020, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be adopting a revised media approach to ensure diverse and open access to their work. This adjustment will be a phased approach as they settle into the new normality of their updated roles. This updated approach aims to:

• Engage with grassroots media organisations and young, up-and-coming journalists;
• Invite specialist media to specific events/engagements to give greater access to their cause-driven activities, widening the spectrum of news coverage;
• Provide access to credible media outlets focused on objective news reporting to cover key moments and events;
• Continue to share information directly to the wider public via their official communications channels;
• No longer participate in the Royal Rota system.

And so on. We learn of their critizism of the current Royal correspondents and how they support open and truthful media. Even if they are critizised when appropriate.
I can subscribe to that. And I think that is the basis of their wish to get rid of their position as "senior Royals". They want reports about their work that are truthful, even if they are not always positive and they want to enjoy their privacy as individuals, all the while understanding, that

"their roles as members of the Royal Family are subject to interest, and they welcome accurate and honest media reporting as well as being held to account if appropriate. Equally, like every member of society, they also value privacy as individuals and as a family."


It is honestly as shame that the tabloids especially did not respect that and treated them as they deserved, but hunted them down and lied all the time about Meghan. So I support their decision.

If they wish to move on and do other things, they are entitled to do so, and become self sufficient if they wish. But what I find sad is that he could not inform his 93 year grandmother and monarch, never mind his father and brother that the statement was being issued last night. His 98 year old grandfather is not long out of hospital, people who supported him when he went through his wild ways.

As others have pointed out that website has been in the making for some time, it was all thought out and worded in a specific way.

From what I can pick up the general public do not really care if they stay or go, but if they go they should be self sufficient ,in every way, they have obviously decided what they want so lets pull the plaster and let them go.

I am not sure how they are going to control the press other than decide who to give stories to, it will not stop the others looking for stories.

None of this bodes well. There are times when there is no going back from our actions.

[CrownPrincessJava]

Originally Posted by suztav

I don’t disagree with your thoughts on the need to modernize the monarchy. I think what has everyone upset is the manner in which they chose to do it. This type of decision and announcement should have come from the Queen not from Meghan and Harry.

Except if the Queen, her advisors and Prince Charles were stalling. There is only so much someone can tolerate that before they snap

[Kataryn]

Originally Posted by suztav

I don’t disagree with your thoughts on the need to modernize the monarchy. I think what has everyone upset is the manner in which they chose to do it. This type of decision and announcement should have come from the Queen not from Meghan and Harry.

But then Piers Morgan and his like would have cried out that Meghan and Harry are punished by the queen...

[Dalriada]

The scandal of M&H’s choice not to inform the BRF ahead of their own website announcement has dominated British telly all day so far from earlymorning (GMB) and mid morning telly. No doubt there will be further discussion on afternoon. Magazine shows and this evening:


https://youtu.be/fX5B5Gx8RXA

[Hallo girl]

Originally Posted by Pranter

Your statement did seem to imply Harry was going to be short shifted once William is in charge.



LaRae

There are times when we can all read things in a way not intended.

[CrownPrincessJava]

Originally Posted by Iluvbertie

I have no problem with them wanting to be financially independent so long as they don't do it by cashing in on their royal titles and status.

If they aren't working for the Firm they should also not get the benefits of the Firm - so full rent for Frogmore and no taxpayer funded transport of security.

They also need to walk away completely and not this apparent half in and half out scenario.

They either are working royals or they aren't. If not then go and make their own money but as Mountbatten-Windsor but not as TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Someone upthread mentioned the Duke of Gloucester working as an architect. He did but only until his older brother died when he became the heir to the Dukedom at which point he put aside his own wishes to serve his Queen and country.

If HRH Princess Beatrice of York and HRH Princess Eugenie, Mrs Brooksbank can retain their HRH whilst earning a private income, then TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex can retain theirs.

[Betsypaige]

Originally Posted by CrownPrincessJava

Except if the Queen, her advisors and Prince Charles were stalling. There is only so much someone can tolerate that before they snap

In fact, they were trying to work out a viable arrangement that would work for everyone. Instead of being patient and understanding of the process, Harry and Meghan threw a hissy fit - and threw his grandmother, father, brother and the BRF under a bus. I hope it was worth it to them to cause all this hurt and pain to the family. I hope it was worth it to Harry to reject his family, because he’s got live with his choices.

On another note, I agree completely with the thrust behind Morgan’s article.

[Nico]

Originally Posted by CrownPrincessJava

And as for titles - if Prince Andrew can retain all his titles and decorations after his explosive interview and connections, the Sussexes more than deserve theirs.

You can't deprive someone from his titles and decorations for a bad interview, and as far i know Andrew was not charged for anything yet. There's a word : justice. Remember ?
As for the Suseexes "deserving" theirs, if the last informations are true, they just said a big "F... off" to the Monarch, the Heir, the Heir to the Heir and the Heir to the Heir's wife by hijacking her birthday. So it's a bit much.
You can moan that the Monarchy needs modernization, but like any other firm rules are the rules. Maybe they are outdated, maybe they are unfair but they are here. So if you don't agree with those rules, like any other firm you're free to leave. But if you want to slam the door, you have to leave the perks too. Now that would be courageous.
Here they want it all, and they want it now. It's too easy ...

[Denville]

Originally Posted by CrownPrincessJava

If HRH Princess Beatrice of York and HRH Princess Eugenie, Mrs Brooksbank can retain their HRH whilst earning a private income, then TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex can retain theirs.

it is not at all the same. Bea and Eugenie have never been working royals and have not received any money.. They have their HRH and cottages in royal palaces and that's it. They are private individuals and earn a living - Harry and Meg are full time royals who receive money from the Sov Grant and the Duchy of Cornwall to finance them in supporting the queen and doing royal duties. Now they want to raise their OWN money.. and pick their own work.. which is fine but it clearly means walking away from the Duchy income and the work that they were allocated...

[wyevale]

short shifted once William is in charge.

I wouldn't be the least surprised.. especially as Catherine will have the foremost influence..

'when love turns to hate'

[Pranter]

Originally Posted by wyevale

I wouldn't be the least surprised.. especially as Catherine will have the foremost influence..

'when love turns to hate'

It's not going to matter. As I already said, Charles is not going to leave either son without funds. Plus, God wiling, Charles will be around another 20 or 30 years and who knows what will go down during this time.


LaRae

[Iluvbertie]

Originally Posted by CrownPrincessJava

If HRH Princess Beatrice of York and HRH Princess Eugenie, Mrs Brooksbank can retain their HRH whilst earning a private income, then TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex can retain theirs.

I didn't mean to imply they couldn't keep their titles but that they can't make money using their titles.

Beatrice and Eugenie don't use their titles for commercial gain for themselves. The titles may have helped them get their jobs but they don't sell their names to gain money for their own expenses. They live on their own earnings, what their father gives them, or in Eugenie's case her husband's income. They also pay the commercial rate of rent for their apartments within the royal palaces and their father has paid for the lease on Royal Lodge until they are both well into their 80s (Edward has paid it until his kids are well into their 90s).

They can and will remain TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex but when they use those titles any money raised should have to go to charity and not for personal use - that is financial independence - otherwise they are selling the royal family and that will be a quick way to a republic.

What we don't want to see is Sussex brand t-shirts with the proceeds going to fund their lifestyle. If it has the Sussex brand then it has to go to charity. These people are still royals and then need to conduct themselves accordingly. They are not celebrities. There is a difference.

[CrownPrincessJava]

Originally Posted by Denville

it is not at all the same. Bea and Eugenie have never been working royals and have not received any money.. They have their HRH and cottages in royal palaces and that's it. They are private individuals and earn a living - Harry and Meg are full time royals who receive money from the Sov Grant and the Duchy of Cornwall to finance them in supporting the queen and doing royal duties. Now they want to raise their OWN money.. and pick their own work.. which is fine but it clearly means walking away from the Duchy income and the work that they were allocated...

Which is no different to current arrangement of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. Harry and Meghan wish to cease to be full-time royals and want financial independence, which means NOT receiving monies from the Sov Grant and the Duchy of Cornwall. Like the York princesses, they will also represent the Queen when asked. This is the point many have tried to highlight.

[RoyalNight]

Originally Posted by Hallo girl

I am not sure how they are going to control the press other than decide who to give stories to, it will not stop the others looking for stories.

I agree with you. The rags were printing lies before and I don't see how not inviting them to some kind of charity event will change that. Less 'boring' stuff to report. Unless the Sussexes plan to correct every lie through their sources...