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

[Blog Real]

Meghan Markle is already compared to Wallis Simpson
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/...edward-history

[Blog Real]

Originally Posted by Lumutqueen

You are mistaken. The only members of the RF who have round the clock security are The Queen, Prince Philip, Charles and Camilla, Cambridge’s and still the Sussexes.




It is. However they don’t intend to represent the commonwealth whilst spending half the year outside the UK. I believe they’ve chosen a commonwealth country for appearance sake, and for monetary reasons personally.

What about Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and the Counts of Wessex?

[Pranter]

https://twitter.com/scobie/status/12...SKHNy4dboY90vY

Omid's new podcast, Chris Ship as guest

[ACO]

Originally Posted by Blog Real

Meghan Markle is already compared to Wallis Simpson
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/...edward-history

She has been compared to her since the day it was revealed they were dating.

[Betsypaige]

I admit, this made me kind of emotional - because I love Charles and think he’s been a wonderful father. Ok, it’s the Mirror, but I can buy this - it makes sense. I’m so glad he’s been trying to help his son through such trying times, and thar Harry has opened up to him. It feels like Harry is fearful of becoming forgotten, insignificant, lesser, once his father is king. He’s insecure - what he needs is reassurance that he is and will always be loved, and that there’s no chance he will become irrelevant.

It is understood that during a series of heartfelt discussions over the past month Harry told his father he had been unhappy for some time and needed a new direction for his family.

The duke’s wife Meghan is said to have convinced him they need to “thrive” instead of merely “surviving” which spurred him to conclude they should quit as senior royals.

The insider said: “At the very heart of the matter is the Prince of Wales’ concern for his son, his daughter-in-law and his new grandson.

“He is absolutely clear in his mind that Harry is at a tipping point and has promised him he would do everything in his power to help him.



Charles told him he would stand by him no matter what, but urged him to come up with a sensible plan that could be worked through in order to satisfy everyone.”

Charles has ordered aides to come up with a solution in a bid to ensure his son remains in the Firm.

The Queen has been at the forefront in the battle to “move heaven and Earth” to keep Harry and Meghan, 38, in the inner circle.

A palace insider said: “When all around her appears to be crumbling, she is of course the ever constant presence that will steady the ship –whatever it takes.”
....

Senior palace sources say Charles and Harry’s relationship has been “incredibly strong, perhaps better than ever” but admitted there were tensions over the handling of the Sussexes’ bombshell statement.

But the suggestion Charles would cut his son off financially or emotionally was last night labelled as “absurd”.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-new...pping-21256931

[Osipi]

Originally Posted by Betsypaige

Hmm, I don’t want the Queen to punish Harry and Meghan, but neither do I want her - or Charles - to give them everything they want. I believe the Queen will do what’s best, though I hope she understands that the public doesn’t want to pay for part time Royals with an attitude problem

The British taxpayer does not pay directly for anything involving the royal family at all except the security details which are handled and decided on and under the control and jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Police/Scotland Yard.

[moby]

Originally Posted by ACO

She has been compared to her since the day it was revealed they were dating.

Eerie considering David is one of Harry's names...

[O-H Anglophile]

Originally Posted by Blog Real

I always thought all the Queen's grandchildren had security guards.

No, only William & his family and Harry & his family.
Sophie doesn’t have security either unless she’s on an official engagement.

[Betsypaige]

Originally Posted by Osipi

The British taxpayer does not pay directly for anything involving the royal family at all except the security details which are handled and decided on and under the control and jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Police/Scotland Yard.

Ok, thanks ! Then, what would be the issue for the public with Charles financing H and M - other than that they loathe the idea (which I agree) of them getting paid to be part time Royals, doing only those things they choose to do?

[Tatiana Maria]

Originally Posted by rmay286

I agree that he will not likely become Governor General (nor would he and Meghan probably want this, as it's not a very exciting/mostly ceremonial job) but I guess I spoke to soon earlier...I think I said Canadians wouldn't want this either. However, apparently there's been a poll and 60% of Canadians polled DO want Harry as GG.

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada...#comments-area

Interesting. It seems probable that the same 60% of Canadians would willingly pay for his security bill, which would resolve one issue for the British government.

[TRCRoyal]

Originally Posted by marlene

If Harry and Meghan do decide to reside in Canada on a more permanent basis the only way Harry could stay legally would be if he got some kind of diplomatic status from the British embassy because he would never qualify to immigrate here.

That’s not true. He could easily get an investor’s visa.

[Osipi]

Originally Posted by Betsypaige

Ok, thanks ! Then, what would be the issue for the public with Charles financing H and M - other than that they loathe the idea (which I agree) of them getting paid to be part time Royals, doing only those things they choose to do?

They don't agree with how Charles spends his own money? I think basically it is because the everyday person on the street has no real understanding of how the financing of the royal family work and the differences between their personal incomes and their activities that are supported through the Sovereign Grant.

The thread here "Royal Wealth and Finance" is a good read.

http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...nces-9826.html

[O-H Anglophile]

Originally Posted by TRCRoyal

That’s not true. He could easily get an investor’s visa.

What business is Harry going to start & run to qualify?

[Betsypaige]

Originally Posted by Osipi

They don't agree with how Charles spends his own money? I think basically it is because the everyday person on the street has no real understanding of how the financing of the royal family work and the differences between their personal incomes and their activities that are supported through the Sovereign Grant.

The thread here "Royal Wealth and Finance" is a good read.

http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...nces-9826.html

I’m sure that’s probably the case; if I were British, I doubt I would understand, lol.

Thanks for the link - I’ll definitely do a deep dive this weekend!

[Zaira]

Originally Posted by Lumutqueen

I’m confused.

They’ve clearly found a house either on Vancouver Island or near, the dogs are there and it’s a place they felt safe enough to leave Archie while they were in the UK.

The Daily Mail reported they’d be back on the 20th, now they’ve reporting in tomorrows paper they’re gone for the next three months.

It’s utterly ridiculous, who is paying for their security whilst they’re in Canada where they now apparently live without representing the crown?

IMO I think its very clear that the papers do not know much of anything and that is a senior palace source is of dubious credibility. Last I saw the Mail tonight, Harry is staying the in UK until this is resolved. After just reading this morning in the same paper that he had already left. As the old Oprah saying goes, what is truth?

The stories literally change by the second. It seems every Jane, Mark and Henry is running to the papers with their take and "knowledge" only for every Kevin, Alan and Susan to pop up with THEIR take. And the papers, the tabs and the mainstream, all breathlessly run them.

My hope all around is that cool heads prevail.

[Leopoldine]

Originally Posted by Alison H

Zara and Peter haven't got security. Prince Andrew pays for any security Beatrice and Eugenie have got - they did have state-funded police protection at one time, but it was stopped.


All this speculation about who's advised them is just paper talk, but I wish they *had* spoken to the Obamas or Oprah - intelligent people who would surely have advised them not to act so rashly.

Oprah is in a bubble herself. I also don't think that she has a good understanding of what is expected of the BRF in the UK. Remember: Oprah was demanding that Fergie wear her tiara when she appeared on Oprah's show right after the Fake Sheikh incident. Fergie, to her credit, didn't do it.

[Muhler]

Okay, what will be the best solution?

IMO the BRF will not cast H&M adrift - at least not at this point and it's easier to control them inside the fold. But there is no way the BRF can give in to the proposals H&M have outlined.
H&M cannot become "financially independent" and at the same time remain active members of the BRF. The only thing they have to sell anyway is their name and status (brand) and it would be unacceptable for the BRF to commercialize their royal position.

So I think the best solution is to allow H&M to settle abroad, Canada seems likely - culturally and politically, and perhaps it's easier to - control - them in a commonwealth country?
Here they can focus on a few - well-chosen (read: approved by the palace) charities and causes and raise funds for that to their hearts desire - but not earning their own money.
H&M can forget all about "reforming" the BRF from within. - They will soon realize that they have been sidelined and that they are quietly getting fewer and fewer jobs at home in the UK.
They will be invited to attend the major events at home, where they can stand in the background looking suitable scenic.
Also, I think the palace will insist on appointing advisors (perhaps through the Canadian government, they will be difficult for H&M to reject) who will basically have to okay everything H&M do and say.
At least on paper H&M will get what they asked for: A much lower profile and able to focus on their own causes.

As for the economy. I think H&M will get the same amount they get now. It's cheaper and less worrying than if they had to finance themselves - and the money can be cut or withdrawn if need be...

Protection: Due to him being an Afghanistan veteran Harry remains a high-risk target, so I think they will keep their protection officers, but with more emphasis on Canada providing a permanent perimeter security. I.e. a permanent police presence where they live and happen to be when in Canada. - That will be at the expense of the Canadian taxpayers. But keep in mind that Canada has the means to "limit" their stay in Canada if H&M don't conform. I can easily imagine various ways of doing that.

Frogmore: They will keep the place and live there, those relative few times and short periods they happen to be in Britain. Still rent-free. I think it would be provoking a negative reaction from H&M if Frogmore was taken from them or they suddenly had to pay rent.
Later on they may be "encouraged" to settle with an apartment in one of the palaces. So in say five years they may move out of Frogmore.

Archie: Well, if they intend to settle in Canada and are happy there, he will grow up as a Canadian. And go to school there eventually.

- They key to all this to keep them out of sight and out of mind, of the British public, as much as possible. And as they will quietly get fewer and fewer official jobs (that's what they want, right?) and as time goes fade more and more away. Especially when Charles becomes king and W&K's children become teens. Focus will quietly shift away from H&M.
Eventually it will dawn on H&M that they have been exiled in anything but name. And that they have been put under administration.

That I think would be the most ideal solution, given the circumstances. And the fact that at least Harry is still family and unlikely to just being kicked out of the BRF. Meghan's status remains to be seen. That depends on whether the BRF blame her for all this or believe Harry is the main force.

- There are just a couple of unresolved questions:
A) Will H&M accept these conditions? They don't have much to bargain with though. Except causing trouble and making a spectacle of themselves. Would they do that?
B) What happens when H&M don't conform to these conditions? Because at some point they will test these limits.

[christinacg]

Originally Posted by Zaira

IMO I think its very clear that the papers do not know much of anything and that is a senior palace source is of dubious credibility. Last I saw the Mail tonight, Harry is staying the in UK until this is resolved. After just reading this morning in the same paper that he had already left. As the old Oprah saying goes, what is truth?



The stories literally change by the second. It seems every Jane, Mark and Henry is running to the papers with their take and "knowledge" only for every Kevin, Alan and Susan to pop up with THEIR take. And the papers, the tabs and the mainstream, all breathlessly run them.



My hope all around is that cool heads prevail.

That’s my problem with all the hoopla and negativity over this situation. Very little facts are known. What most people are discussing, including on this thread, are rumors started by tabloids and royal correspondence that have no basis yet people are quick to assume they’re facts. Even all the headlines saying “they quit the royal family” which is entirely untrue yet people are so quick to believe and spread that mistruth. I wish everyone would take a step back, calm down, and wait for more official information to come forth. Whatever happens, it’s not the end of the world, and is just a minor bump in the road for the BRF.

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

Interesting. It seems probable that the same 60% of Canadians would willingly pay for his security bill, which would resolve one issue for the British government.

How did you come to that conclusion given that those are two completely different questions ?


Anyway, I am surprised that, in this poll, 60 % of the Canadians polled and, more strikingly, 47 % of Quebec respondents, would like Harry as GG. Nonetheless, I am afraid it would be politically impossible these days to appoint a GG who is not a Canadian citizen and doesn't speak French.

[tommy100]

All the discussion so far has been about the "deal" or "solution" to the Sussex's proposals, I wonder what will happen if they dislike what ever is finally presented and decide to simply go it alone living off Trust Funds and savings for a short time before they get their own income from various commercial ventures. In reality there is no way to stop them is there?