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

[Queen Claude]

Originally Posted by Zaira

...
I do think rather that the family is stronger with Harry (and Meghan) in it and finding some way to serve. They are an asset when it comes to the work itself. But the attacks on them were untenable (and I know not everyone agrees here that they were untoward) in the long term.
....

I don't think so at this point nor for the foreseeable future. Tom Bradby made some comments earlier in the week regarding that there has been friction going back to the wedding so the behind the scenes disharmony actually preceded the media onslaught.

My take is that Meghan realized that things were not going to get better with neither the British media nor the so-called "men in grey". Concurrent with that is that she has become a global superstar and as such there are opportunities galore for her make money and support the causes that she holds dear without being in a work environment that she undoubtedly finds toxic. It was probably a no-brainer in her mind that she needed to shake the BRF off and move on to the next chapter. I think all the rhetoric around serving the monarchy is for PR and also probably represents Harry's point of view, although it should be noted that Harry seems to have reverence for his grandmother and her role but he's also made clear that he does not care for bread and butter royal work.


Interestingly it is often referenced that the Windsors are ruthless and IMO Meghan is ruthless as well. I don't agree with quite a few things that the Sussexes have done but I don't know if I should be blase about one party's ruthless ways and condemning of the other's.

I think in the long-term the BRF will be fine and Meghan will be fine, the unknown is Harry. My hope is that the current uncoupling and the uncoupling(s) to come will be done amiably and that there is room for reconciliation and, to borrow a phrase from the Sussex Royal website, new working models.

[QUEENECE29]

I support the decisions of the Sussex couple. Get plenty of life chances

[Betsypaige]

Originally Posted by Blog Real

Furious Prince Philip said ‘What the hell are they playing at?’ after Harry and Meghan decided to quit the Royal Family.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/107196...mpression=true

If true, this is terrible ..and her I love it at the same time. I love that Philip is such a spitfire that he’s expressing his fury at his grandson and his wife. It’s terrible that he’s 98, sadly in ill health, and has to deal with this. I wonder if Harry cares that he truly has let down so many people who love him

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by Lady Daly

Charles will fly back from the Gulf nation of Oman, where he was attending a condolence ceremony Sunday following the death of Sultan Qaboos bin Said. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world...4a1_story.html. I was wondering how Prince Charles was going to pay respects in Oman and attend the Monday meetings, a bit of a rough schedule. Despite my really wanting this to work out for the Harry and Megan, they were pretty selfish in the way they went about the process of "stepping down".

He might have been able to talk to some other royals (including the Dutch king) about the whole mess he is currently trying to solve. They might be one of the few who truly understand what this means for a monarchy and family.

Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

The "leak" was the following article, published by The Sun the day before the couple made their announcement:

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/106934...ove-to-canada/

It begins with:



and then quotes further details (ETA: not of their specific plans, but arguments in support of the move) from anonymous "friends of the couple".

So, it had already leaked? In that case I don't understand how they were getting ahead of a leak that had already been published by issuing a statement and sharing all kinds of details on their proposed way forward that the palace already had indicated needed more work on their website.

The idea that Harry and Meghan might want to live elsewhere and do things differently wasn't new...

[Madame Verseau]

CNN is doing a lot of coverage on this mess and it normally doesn't do wall to wall royal coverage, even with Andrew was in the news. Then the ad came on: CNN is doing a documentary titled the Windsors next month. All of this is most likely going to be included in the show. Based on CNN reporting so far the BRF and the British press are going to take hits, but it needs to be careful it doesn't come off that all of Britain is out to take down an American (some are though) so this is payback.

[TLLK]

Originally Posted by QUEENECE29

I support the decisions of the Sussex couple. Get plenty of life chances

I also support their decision to step back however I don't agree with the manner in which they've dealt with it. IMO they should have waited for the BRF along with the British and Canadian governments to come to an agreed upon plan.

[Suzzanah]

Sometimes we step back to step forward. The US rag mags read Markle defies crown etc... In the next twenty years the royal family will be instrumental in creation of economies, jobs and goodwill. I am glad that they have chosen to build wealth and family. Family connection is what makes this world a merciful and better place. Service to others is a gift from the royals not the common right of world. I invite them to look at the Midwest as a stopping place for privacy. The current turmoil with Andrew does concern me a bit, but the solution is to merely marry him off post haste. He has been a bachelor far too long. Members of the royal family are far too often put in bad company as if it was funny. It merely defines the difference between them and others. We all need to be wary of our surroundings at all times. There are vultures out there everywhere. I wish everyone a prosperous new year!

Suzzannah

[Betsypaige]

Hmmm. I don’t buy it. If Harry felt that Meghan needed to get out of the country, then he should have explained that to his father and grandmother. He could have brought her to Canada and then returned himself to try and hash this out...privately. In fact, why even bring Meghan back at all?

As to the comments from ex friends, I’d that’s true, then that’s a bunch of bull and it’s H and M feeling sorry for themselves

A source said tonight: “The statement was rushed out and part of the reason for that is that Harry knew he needed to take swift action.

"Meghan has not settled in the UK and he knows that and wants her to be happy.

“And it has got worse recently, with their spell in Canada helping to cement her view that the family would be better off out of the spotlight and spending more time there.

“He feared staying in the UK too long would lead to Meghan having a meltdown. That is why things moved so quickly.”
.....

But ex-pals claim their announcement to step back from the royals isn't surprising as Meghan and Harry always felt like "outsiders".

One source told the Daily Beast: "They just felt totally unwelcome."

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/107207...n-toxic-harry/

Originally Posted by Madame Verseau

CNN is doing a lot of coverage on this mess and it normally doesn't do wall to wall royal coverage, even with Andrew was in the news. Then the ad came on: CNN is doing a documentary titled the Windsors next month. All of this is most likely going to be included in the show. Based on CNN reporting so far the BRF and the British press are going to take hits, but it needs to be careful it doesn't come off that all of Britain is out to take down an American (some are though) so this is payback.

CNN is, like all American coverage, pro H and M and anti BRF. I won’t be watching, but thanks for the info !

[Nico]

Originally Posted by sndral

Not sure what ‘contardictors’ are???
I’ve reread my post & I made no reference to Meghan whatsoever - not sure why you assumed I was labeling her a victim. Nor did I label ‘all...bloody racists’ - no need to set up a straw man argument to obfuscate the fact that Phillip and Andrew have been accused of uttering offensive racist comments long before Harry met Meghan.
And no need to to be condescending, labeling my listing of sources for the quotations as a ‘pretty little inventory.’ I try to treat all posters with respect and I would appreciate the same courtesy.
I certainly hope that most members of the RF are not racist or bigoted, but there is evidence that some are...insensitive.

And there is evidence that some have an agenda by stirring the pot on the racism front.
I mean it's so easy. Some posters were accused to have waited so bad the fallout of Meghan. I must say that it's obvious that some posters waited so bad to see the Windsors shown in a bad light.
From day 1 there was some kind of defiance toward the institution, the Establishment. More than a bit a fresh air, Meghan had to give the Windsors a run for their money.
In our insanely over sensitive PC world, the Harry/ Meghan story has always been quite heavy on the red flagged class, sex, political and race fronts. I remember quite well what i thought when their engagement came out : if it works, it will be a world class triumph for the modernization of the Monarchy, if it doesn't, it will explode in the face of the Queen.
Well, where are we now ?

[Betsypaige]

Harry and Meghan need to read this - and I can’t believe I’m saying this of a NY Post article.


They hate the “Royal Rota” system, in which a designated royal reporter and photographer cover their events as representatives of the entire media and the royals have to do a little light waving and smiling and generally go along with it. What they don’t seem to understand is that this system exists for their protection; in exchange for the small compromise of making nice with designated journos on a set schedule, they get a break from the pandemonium of being trailed by hordes of invasive paparazzi at all times.

......

As if! Within the royal embrace, media coverage is bubble-wrapped. Out there in the cold cruel world of ordinary celebrity, it’s anything goes. No “Royal Rota” agreement applies in Hollywood. It’s every paparazzo out for himself, every time you go out for a coffee, and when you’re on your own property you have to pay for your own security to keep them at bay instead of sending the bill to the taxpayer. The Royals, because of the circumstances of Princess Diana’s death and because of the institutional respect commanded by the Crown, are just about the only celebs west of Vladimir Putin who can enforce any limits whatsoever over their coverage.

Besides, if H & M ever were to break completely free of the Firm (unlikely), a big chunk of their mystique would be gone. They’ll soon find themselves being mocked for pimping out their new Sussex Royal brand. Hoodies, T-shirts, socks, ball caps and pencils — really? They’re going to leverage a thousand years of dignity and tradition for a bunch of cheesy crapola that’s going to wind up at the Dollar Tree? The whole point of being royal is to float above and beyond ordinary existence, to make ordinary mortals fantasize about what it’s like to be you. Once you’re doing interviews with E! or hawking Christmas ornaments on the Home Shopping Network, you’re just two schmucks getting torn apart by the late-night comics.


https://nypost.com/2020/01/11/why-ha...as-non-royals/

[ACO]

What’s interesting about that Disney CEO video floating around is that you can’t even really hear either. You have it captioned but that doesn’t mean that’s what was said. At least some of the media was smart enough to say “allegedly” cause I’m sure they don’t want Disney coming at them. This also was started by a random YouTuber. Will be interesting if they comment.

That said, I don’t see the issue with it. No different than when William said it was his idea to do the Mary Berry special and pitched it to her. Charity acts all around. Just seem some want to be offended to be offended. Networking is the name of the game. You think Earthshots or Invictus got its backing without it too?

[Gawin]

Originally Posted by Betsypaige

CNN is, like all American coverage, pro H and M and anti BRF. I won’t be watching, but thanks for the info !

Yes, soon we Americans will be inundated with magazine covers featuring a smiling Harry & Meghan embracing one another with headlines like "Harry & Meghan's Independence Day," "Don't Mess with Meghan," "Harry Makes His Mother Proud," and heaven knows what else. My stomach is already churning.

[Hallo girl]

Originally Posted by TLLK

I also support their decision to step back however I don't agree with the manner in which they've dealt with it. IMO they should have waited for the BRF along with the British and Canadian governments to come to an agreed upon plan.

Exactly.... now followed up with the article by Tom Bradby has not helped.

[Alison H]

There's no way that the Sun can know what Prince Philip said, but I'd imagine he said something similar, and probably a lot worse ... and I'd also imagine that he's extremely hurt that his grandson couldn't manage to come and see him over Christmas.


Philip himself, despite being a direct descendant of Queen Victoria, wasn't welcomed by "courtiers" (for lack of a better word) when he married the Queen. There's quite an amusing story about a snobby courtier telling him about Windsor Castle, implying that he'd be over-awed by it, and Philip pointing out that his own mother was born there, in the presence of Queen Victoria. So he'd probably have some sympathy with Meghan struggling to adapt, and it's well-known that he was upset at having to give up his naval career, but he's certainly not likely to have any patience with the disrespectful way that Harry and Meghan have treated the Queen.


Nobody is being racist. There was huge support for Harry and Meghan's marriage.

[Betsypaige]

Originally Posted by Gawin

Yes, soon we Americans will be inundated with magazine covers featuring a smiling Harry & Meghan embracing one another with headlines like "Harry & Meghan's Independence Day," "Don't Mess with Meghan," "Harry Makes His Mother Proud," and heaven knows what else. My stomach is already churning.

Oh god, this is the truth....they’ll be on ET, Access Hollywood, People, you name it, Americans will eat it up. Not me. I don’t care about celebrities - I care about the Royals, and now I care about how this affects them.

The last part of this is heartbreaking ...If Harry doesn’t want to be Royal, then give all the trappings up, period, but that doesn’t require turning his back on his family and his heritage. His grandparents are elderly, his father is not young - and he needs his youngest. His brother misses him and their once special relationship deeply. Doesn’t he miss them?

DUNCAN LARCOMBE The Sunday Mirror: 'He's long dreamed of being Normal'

'Harry is the rebel prince who has always tried to escape what he calls his 'accident of birth'.

'By 'stepping back', Harry is boldly stating what many of us have known about him for years. He simply doesn't want to be royal, owned by the public and judged how successfully he toes the line.

'People should think twice before blaming Meghan for this decision. Far from being the woman who stole the people's prince, she has merely given her husband the courage to face his demons and follow his dream.

'I hope for his sake this bold step works, although I fear that once he has tasted life on the outside, Harry will regret turning his back on his family and the public, who have always held such a special place in their hearts for him.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...step-down.html

[ACO]

“Meghan’s doing”

What is she doing? How about Harry and the entire royal family? This is all on her? Fascinating.

No one is perfect or really a victim in this mess, IMO. And I think they ALL know it. People slinging nastiness won’t change it.

This week will be interesting.

[wyevale]

held such a special place in their hearts for him.'

Not any more, no-one i've talked to about him [this last week], holds him in anything but contempt...and their opinion of his wife is unrepeatable here.

[Frelinghighness]

Originally Posted by Lady Daly

Charles will fly back from the Gulf nation of Oman, where he was attending a condolence ceremony Sunday following the death of Sultan Qaboos bin Said. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world...4a1_story.html. I was wondering how Prince Charles was going to pay respects in Oman and attend the Monday meetings, a bit of a rough schedule. Despite my really wanting this to work out for the Harry and Megan, they were pretty selfish in the way they went about the process of "stepping down".

For some reason I assumed that Charles and HM and William and Harry and all of the other rf and govt parties involved have been in continuing discussions since this bombshell hit. Now it seems like there will be a summit meeting tomorrow with these people. Does that mean the queen has not been involved until now? And maybe she is too frail to deal with this kind of a problem right now?
Has Charles been carrying out responsibilities besides the funeral the whole time or we just don't know?

[Madame Verseau]

I see some people want to send Harry and Meghan to the Tower. The virulence around is probably Meghan. Is in Canada .

[Betsypaige]

Originally Posted by ACO

Meghan is doing what she doing? How about Harry and the entire royal family? This is all on her? Fascinating.

No one is perfect or really a victim in this mess, IMO. And I think they ALL know it. People slinging nastiness won’t change it.

This week will be interesting.

Before you posted, it would have helped to be aware of the context...but you didn’t take the time.

I see the OP has deleted her comment - thank you!