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

[Villager90]

I think it’s desperately sad for the entire BRF. This all could have waited for five years or so for Charles to become king and rejig things around.

Harry had huge support from country through his military background, his personality and sense of fun. And In the space of 24 hours it’s disappeared.

Clearly Meghan was not ready for the role, however if you aren’t ready for a new job you listen to advice. Media advice through all the press secretaries and for god sake TAKE THE ADVICE. And I’m sure they have ignored and kept going against advice since day 1, resulting in the car crash we are seeing now.

I find it very sad.

I’d love to be a fly on the wall at gatcombe or with Prince Philip right now. I’d also like to give Charles a hug. It was clear he made a huge effort with Meghan. Giving her away, their shared interest in the arts, the environment. Initially he hoped she’d brought him and Harry closer together, it seems that was a falsehood and his influence in his grandchild’s life will
Be much limited.

A sad chain of events

[ACO]

Interesting interview of Arthur Edwards about the situation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCRy...ture=emb_title

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by poppy7

She is a millennial. Just made it. So am I. It isn't a bad thing. I am just pointing out that the tendency to react for immediate gratification is there. No mature response at all.

Of course Harry needed a Kate. Or a Camilla. Or a Sophie. I think he thought he had. Independent woman. Done some great work. But she just crumbled. Amy e she is a narcissist. I don't know.

It is pretentious of us to say what kind of wife Harry needed . Marrying the lovely daughter of an English peer from an old family of courtiers ( a good candidate on paper ) did not go that well for his father, did it ?

I am not exactly a traditionalist ( quite the contrary actually), but I think there is some truth to the argument that the old way of princes marrying other princesses ( or equivalent, not merely nobility) at least meant that the brides understood “ royal life” from an early age and didn’t have a steep learning curve , even though foreign princesses often had to adjust to their new country. Nowadays, however, grounded “middle-class “ wives like Kate or Mary Donaldson have proven to be successful royals too, so I don’t think there is a predetermined formula based on nationality of social class that tells what an ideal royal bride would look like.

[Nico]

Originally Posted by Pranter

A friend in the U.K. said they were watching the evening news and one of their reporters was outside BP and stated that the Sussexes were informed several weeks ago they would not be part of the slimmed down monarchy.

So if that is true, this announcement yesterday seems to be an extension of that news.


LARae

The informations are still contradictory :

"Yes, the Prince of Wales has made clear that he wants a streamlined monarchy in the future, but Harry has always been told that he and Archie, as heirs to the throne, are part of that"

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...nce-plans.html

[soapstar]

Harry fell in love with and chose to marry Meghan, so let's not get into a discussion about who you think he should have married. Thanks.

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by King of the Jungle

How many months do Harry, Meghan and Archie need to be living in the UK per year to keep their citizenship and be considered a British tax payer etc.?
Maybe it's obvious that they'll spend no more than ??? weeks abroad.
How many weeks can Harry live in North America without a visa etc.?

Harry has seemed generous and caring in the past so I'm hopeful that their new charitable set up is hugely beneficial for people in need and for the planet.

I can't understand the emergency pace at which the changes have to happen and why the umbrella of Buckingham Palace and the Queen were not respected.

Harry and Archie are British citizens; they don't need to live in the UK to remain that. Even Archie's children if they would never live in the UK could become British citizens but not his grandchildren.

Meghan is not a British citizen and needed to live long enough in the UK to apply for citizenship. If she somehow manages to live in Canada, she will not meet the requirements to become a British citizen but it doesn't seem she is interested currently. As a rule of thumb: she can be out of the UK for about 3 months a year. Any longer becomes problematic.

Many countries also allow tourists to stay in their country for 3 months at a time. If they would alternate between Canada and the US they could probably still officially live in the UK but in practice be 'tourists' in Canada and the USA (Meghan as a US citizen can of course just live in the US and Harry most likely can apply to join her as her husband).

[wyevale]

The interview with Arthur Edwards is damning.. and lays the blame squarely at the feet of Harry's Wife...clearly she changed him UTTERLY... and not for the better.

[Greyhead]

Originally Posted by BaiSoSo

People can only take so much abuse especially when they have done nothing wrong and the abuse the Sussexes have received has been way over the top this past 18 or so months. Like Meghan said life isn't just about surviving... it is about thriving and they weren't able to do that. This will give them more peace and they will be able to do what they do best.

I think this is a huge loss for the BRF as Harry & Meghan have a lot of skills and talent that could have been used by the family and help bring them into the 21st century.

I don't know why one would think it won't fly....pretty sure there have been conversations with the Palace before this and before the break. There are non-working royals who still have their official titles and don on occasion do work for the royal family.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have never deserved the unwanted attention/abuse they have received. I must add that, the abuse/criticism/comments were made in the newspapers and by supposedly elected officials, not by the majority of the UK general public.

It is without any doubt a huge loss to our Royal Family and it’s future, Prince Harry is the most popular Royal, and as stated above was the “bridge” between normal people and entitled.

Of course it will fly, that’s why they did it as they did, to stop any involvement/announcements from the Palace/Press that were not true, good on you both!

[Princess B]

I get the feeling that Meghan is using Archie as a bargaining tool with the firm and that is why he was left in Canada.

Who has custody of Archie? The queen or parents?

[O-H Anglophile]

Originally Posted by amaryllus

Or perhaps taking a Toddler on transatlantic jet for a very short time in London is a silly idea. They have trusted friends and a nanny to look after him very well .

Yes, because they had already planned their near immediate explosive exit!

[evolvingdoors]

Originally Posted by ACO

I think they will be in Canada. That seems to be their goal.

I suppose it makes sense though. In LA she (they) will be nothing but a small fish in a large pond - like in London! (and Hollywood will grow bored of them without proper royal connection), but in Toronto... we’ll juat like before: she will be a big fish in a small pond. This is why she was even able to get anywhere near Harry circle, in LA she would have been another C list no one cares or knows about, in Toronto she was able to network with the local big fishes through Soho House and her connection with Jessica and Ben.

[Nico]

Originally Posted by Greyhead

I must add that, the abuse/criticism/comments were made in the newspapers and by supposedly elected officials, not by the majority of the UK general public. !

Excuse me, but what elected officials ? Missed that one ...

[poppy7]

Originally Posted by Princess B

I get the feeling that Meghan is using Archie as a bargaining tool with the firm and that is why he was left in Canada.

Who has custody of Archie? The queen or parents?

Nobody has custody of Archie. Both parents have parental responsibility.

[O-H Anglophile]

Originally Posted by Pranter

A friend in the U.K. said they were watching the evening news and one of their reporters was outside BP and stated that the Sussexes were informed several weeks ago they would not be part of the slimmed down monarchy.

So if that is true, this announcement yesterday seems to be an extension of that news.


LARae

I do not believe that-it makes no sense. It sounds like it is a Harry-Meghan fan/apologist.

[DeeT]

Originally Posted by Nico

Wait for the Tee shirt and the cap, it will come pretty soon ...

If they come, I’ll happily buy them, add to all of the official Royal brand items I’ve purchased over many years from the Royal Collection Trust Shops.

It’s so disappointing how terribly Harry & Meghan have been treated. Absolutely disgusting behaviour by some, leaking details to tabloids & then no retractions from BRF when the info being pushed by corrupt press is false! Disgusting shame that they’ve allowed such hate to spread against the Sussexes, so much for all those anti-bullying & maternal-child health campaigns.

[poppy7]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

It is pretentious of us to say what kind of wife Harry needed . Marrying the lovely daughter of an English peer from an old family of courtiers ( a good candidate on paper ) did not go that well for his father, did it ?

I am not exactly a traditionalist ( quite the contrary actually), but I think there is some truth to the argument that the old way of princes marrying other princesses ( or equivalent, not merely nobility) at least meant that the brides understood “ royal life” from an early age and didn’t have a steep learning curve , even though foreign princesses often had to adjust to their new country. Nowadays, however, grounded “middle-class “ wives like Kate or Mary Donaldson have proven to be successful royals too, so I don’t think there is a predetermined formula based on nationality of social class that tells what an ideal royal bride would look like.

I would never presume to say who on earth he should choose as a life partner. My point was more to prevent this front descending as it has a different response was needed more that of the 3 royal ladies mentioned was probably needed. But best to to move on.

[Muhler]

A thought that went through my mind was: Are we seeing a nervous breakdown?

Weeks off the air so to speak, could lead someone who is on the verge of a nervous breakdown to "curl up" and simply refuse to return "to work" because she (I thought of Meghan) couldn't face it.

But on reflection, I don't think so.
H&M have appeared in public, something someone who is breaking down wouldn't be able to.

I must admit I'm deeply surprised that H&M did not return to Britain to stay. Wasn't it the plan that they were to return after their holiday in North America.
Not least since they must have realized that a lot of details needed to be discussed, even if they got everything they wanted.
Where to live. What to do. The economy. Future role and status and all the other myriad of details.

But since they didn't even bring their child with them it is clear to me that they had no intention of staying for any period in Britain.

They have de facto relocated to North America!

And if Harry follow or intends to follow his wife shortly, it means they for whatever incongruous reason genuinely believed the BRF (and the British government) would simply accept what they outlined. There are just a few details that Harry can discuss over the weekend. I mean, what else can it mean?
That is such a bizarre thought I can hardly believe I'm writing this!

Are they living in an alternative world?!?
"Insane" behavior can be contagious you know. - It's akin to the Stockholm Syndrome, where you isolated from normal inputs identify yourself with those around you, no matter how weird it appears when seen from the outside.

Right now the most outlandish thoughts are going through my mind: From Harry having a breakdown and Meghan having basically just dumped him at the palace and returned back to care for their child.
To Meghan acting on her own and Harry now seeking refuge with his family, not knowing what to do.

It's like watching some absurd scene.

[Spheno]

Originally Posted by HereditaryPrincess

I find it weird that they left Archie in Canada to go over to England quickly.

I think It was a precautionary measure. Perhaps they are not legal Archie's custodians.

[ACO]

Originally Posted by evolvingdoors

I suppose it makes sense though. In LA she (they) will be nothing but a small fish in a large pond - like in London! (and Hollywood will grow bored of them without proper royal connection), but in Toronto... we’ll juat like before: she will be a big fish in a small pond. This is why she was even able to get anywhere near Harry circle, in LA she would have been another C list no one cares or knows about, in Toronto she was able to network with the local big fishes through Soho House and her connection with Jessica and Ben.

That is how one can look at it. Canada was also her home for 7 years and where she started her relationship with Harry. That is where she feel comfortable and apparently safe.

[DeeT]

Originally Posted by O-H Anglophile

I do not believe that-it makes no sense. It sounds like it is a Harry-Meghan fan/apologist.

On the evening news, ITV journalist Tom Bradby said Harry & Meghan were not going to be part of a slimmed down monarchy.