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

[_Heather_]

That latest Bradby article is nothing short of damning for Harry and Meghan. They've let it be known that he's very much acting as one of their mouthpieces and now that piece that he's published is out there prior to their summit tomorrow. It's really nothing short of a threat, bribery, and even extortion and none of those will help their cause. It's really quite vile that they scream constantly about bullying and poor little Meghan being bullied but then resort to tactics like this to get their way with the RF? While I understand that they're family and the family will be loathe to cut them off entirely (well, except for Anne because I suspect she has very clear opinions about all of this and none of them are favorable for Harry and Meghan), they really can't cave to this and bend over backward to give these two anything. After all this they deserve nothing and while yes, it would be a massive problem for them to go anymore scorched earth than they already have, it's a massive problem now and for the future for them to be rewarded for this behavior. They're far too unreliable, unpredictable, and self-centered to be catered to and worked with considering that requires a degree of trust that they'll never have again.

[HereditaryPrincess]

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.

After a couple of days of pondering over this, I agree. It seems that neither Harry or Meghan are suited for royal life - I don't want to start any comparisons, but it seems Harry probably got his taste for "normal" life from Diana since she made an effort for him and William to experience things - such as eating in McDonalds and going to theme parks - they wouldn't have experienced otherwise as royal children at the time. It wasn't surprising to hear them step back, but at the same time I also agree that their way of going about it wasn't the best approach and will feed on the viewpoint that they are spoiled and "want to have their cake and eat it too" - thus not helping the media attacks.

The fact the media are all up in arms about this decision from Harry and Meghan was expected but also makes me roll my eyes - they're partly responsible for this move.

[LadyGlendower]

Does, or can, Harry understand that a "normal" life for him would have to be intentionally very low profile? that being royal in and of itself is not so much what marks him out so much as the incredible fame he has known since birth?

To change that: Think life away from large cities. Intentionally limiting your appearances to private fundraisers for worthy charities. Perhaps that has what appealed to him about the prospect of living in Africa. Using your influence at the board room level instead of public events.

And now, his wife is as famous as he is. She wasn't when they met. Not by a long shot. But despite the complaints I think shes risen quite high in the celebrity world and is in no hurry to change that. Backing away from the royal aspect of her spotlight is her desire so she can become autonomous again.

This couple seems to be working at cross purposes with each other as they take on changing their relationship with the BRF.

I don't envy anyone involved in this dustup either personally or professionally.

[Betsypaige]

Originally Posted by wyevale

Not any more, no-one i've talked about him to [this last week], holds him in anything but contempt...

I’m afraid that’s largely true - and it didn’t take that long for him to squander that love and goodwill.

I know how Americans would receive him - most think of Royals as celebrities to gush over. I wonder how Canadians will receive him?

[PrincessKaimi]

The couple would not have much difficulty if Harry decided to become a U.S. citizen.

I think they'd be happy in Malibu, in one of its more remote sections, and with its very well-enforced paparazzi laws.

[CyrilVladisla]

Originally Posted by King of the Jungle

Denville, it just seems strange to me that a baby who can't speak but who has a passport can travel the World with any one other than it's parents.

Any baby could be snatched and taken over borders with any adult, therefore.
I guess there might be papers supporting the guardian role of the nanny but who can verify those to be accurate. No wonder children are kidnapped to other countries.

What would happen if the parents had an accident and couldn't return. For a low profile baby how would a nanny prove guardianship?

Would Prince William be able to claim that he is the baby's uncle?

[Jacknch]

Originally Posted by LadyGlendower

Does, or can, Harry understand that a "normal" life for him would have to be intentionally very low profile? that being royal in and of itself is not so much what marks him out so much as the incredible fame he has known since birth?

To change that: Think life away from large cities. Intentionally limiting your appearances to private fundraisers for worthy charities. Perhaps that has what appealed to him about the prospect of living in Africa. Using your influence at the board room level instead of public events.

And now, his wife is as famous as he is. She wasn't when they met. Not by a long shot. But despite the complaints I think shes risen quite high in the celebrity world and is in no hurry to change that. Backing away from the royal aspect of her spotlight is her desire so she can become autonomous again.

This couple seems to be working at cross purposes with each other as they take on changing their relationship with the BRF.

I don't envy anyone involved in this dustup either personally or professionally.

Living a relatively "normal" life - or at least one that is quiet and devoid of too much attention - would indeed require living an intentionally low-profile life. I do feel that Harry and Meghan would or should recognise this concept.

They spent what, to me, would be an idyllic six weeks out of the public eye in amazing and tranquil surroundings, spending time alone or with friends or exploring the stunning scenery - all without hardly a mention in the press. We got a delightful photo of Harry and Archie over Christmas and a view of their Christmas card that was great.

Then the drama came and all thoughts of low-profile, tranquility seem to have vanished. More than enough has been said about that.

What Harry & Meghan seem to want to achieve is that low profile, tranquil private life and combine it with a high-profile - maybe internationally high-profile - professional/public role for the purpose of their charitable interests.

How that can be achieved will take a lot of time to work out and for it to come to fruition. Only with careful planning and a great deal of time and forbearance on all sides can it be properly achieved.

[tommy100]

That is exactly the issue, they want to be high profile when it suits and completely private the rest of the time. That just isn't how it works, sadly, but realistically.

I said ages ago in reference to some other furore with the Sussex's, its not what they say and do as much as its the way its carried out. Likewise now we see all this fuss because they released a statement without any consultation and with far too may unanswered questions that leaves room for speculation and worst case scenarios.

If I was them I would seriously be looking at those giving them PR and communication advice and potentially be looking at suing them for gross misconduct, assuming they have been following the advice in the first place.

[yvr girl]

Originally Posted by Frelinghighness

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?

I think they have been preparing for the meeting. This isn't an ordinary family squabble. They need to consult with the UK and Canadian governments. They need to consult the police in both countries. It's been reported that they have looked into tax implications. They might have even had talks with other leaders in the Commonwealth.

This meeting needs to start with cooler heads, which a few days cooling off period will help. It also needs to be based in reality. H&M have given their wish list, now they need to know what the actual implications of these wishes are.

[4Pam]

Originally Posted by Queen Claude

Moment Prince Harry appears to tout Meghan Markle for a Disney voiceover job

That does look awful. I didn’t even realize that happened, until now.

[wyevale]

They need to consult with the UK and Canadian governments. They need to consult the police in both countries.

The Foreign Secretary, the Chancellor, the Cabinet Secretary [head of the Civil Service], as well as the Ambassadors to Canada and [possibly] the USA, have had to waste valuable time on this tiresome business, when there are infinitely more pressing matters than the 'lifestyle wishlist' of a 'sleb couple' to occupy them.. I daresay the Canadian Ministers concerned feel the same..

[tommy100]

It seems as if, since the announcement the Queen has asked senior courtiers to look at all possible options, detailing them carefully and with input from others where relevant (e.g. the Home Secretary in regards to police protection, HMRC re tax issues, Canadian government in regards to their approach etc) This has been complied into a document detailing these options which I believe was stated has already been sent to each of the 4 royals but which will then be discussed together tomorrow at Sandringham.

Really this seems the best approach to me - get detailed options from those with expertise (as much as anyone has expertise in this issue) so that whichever option is chosen will be a) actually possible b)well thought out with any issues flagged up already c)no-one can say they were unaware of the full complications/issues/effect of each option and what it means for them

The question is whether any of the options will be attractive to Harry and Meghan and get them exactly what they want. Or will they, like the rest of us, have to do something they don't want to at some juncture (e.g. pay for a house or security themselves)

[evolvingdoors]

Originally Posted by Betsypaige

Strength is a very good thing, but not if it’s not tempered with kindness, compassion, understanding.

That reminds me - it does seem as if Charles truly has known Meghan all along. Remember - his nickname for her is Tungsten. Those qualities that he has seen in her are evident more than ever....in a bad way.


‘

Yea I was never impressed with the nickname. Tungsten is actually not a kind nickname, imo:
“Tungsten is known as one of the toughest things found in nature. It is super dense and almost impossible to melt. Pure tungsten is a silver-white metal and when made into a fine powder can be combustible and can spontaneously ignite.....Tungsten is used in many different ways because it is very strong and durable. It is very resistant to corrosion and has the highest melting point and highest tensile strength of any element. Its strength comes when it is made into compounds, though. Pure tungsten is very soft.”

The bolded says it all.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.liv...-tungsten.html

[Pranter]

Why is it so awful about Disney? If she is doing this for charitable reasons (Elephants without Borders etc) it's not a big deal.

Most everyone here is just assuming the worst about the whole situation. Why don't you all try waiting to see what happens and stop relying on tabloids. You know the same group of folks that lie and make things up and distort as they go? The same ones that have been sued previously and currently being sued.

NONE of these reporters and articles know what's really going on. They aren't there for these supposed conversations. It's well known that the inner circle of the BRF don't talk to the media. The media is laughing all the way to the bank.






LaRae

[sndral]

Originally Posted by _Heather_

...While I understand that they're family and the family will be loathe to cut them off entirely (well, except for Anne because I suspect she has very clear opinions about all of this and none of them are favorable for Harry and Meghan),...

Wait - what? Has Anne issued a statement? If not, then imputing an opinion to her is a disservice to her, IMO. I do recall that when asked about the news of one of the Cambridge pregnancies - George, I believe, - she said it was nothing to do with her and my guess is that her attitude about the current situation is much the same - none of her business.
I do find it interesting that her son Peter is reported to be at Sandringham, years ago I read that he and William were close. He also lived outside of the country for awhile.

[yvr girl]

Originally Posted by wyevale

The Foreign Secretary, the Chancellor, as well as the Ambassadors to Canada and [possibly] the USA, have had to waste valuable time on this tiresome business, when there are infinitely more pressing matters than the 'lifestyle wishlist' of a 'sleb couple' to occupy them.. I daresay the Canadian Ministers concerned feel the same..

Commonwealth countries don't send Ambassadors to fellow Commonwealth countries - the have High Commissioners. I would expect this has gone up a level from that. I'd be willing to bet that the PM has been on a call or two with the Queen's private secretary. I also expect that several high-level burocrats in Ottawa spent the weekend putting together briefs.

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by hel

As with many things, there are three levels of police in Canada: federal, provincial, and municipal.

At the municipal level, larger cities will have their own police forces (Toronto Police Services, for example).

Two provinces have their own provincial police forces, Ontario and Quebec. The OPP provides provincial policing as well as policing for small municipalities. They also provide a co-ordinating role in cross-jurisdictional investigations.

At the federal level, we have the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. In addition to providing federal-level policing, they provide the provincial police in several provinces and policing at several international airports.

Crucially, and to your point, they also provide the RCMP Protective Policing Service, which provides security details for protected persons.

Thank you !

I take from your reply that, even if they lived in Toronto, security would be provided by the RCMP ( the federal police) rather than the Ontario Provincial Police . Is that correct ?

[Erin9]

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

I can well imagine Philip being livid. He gave 70 years to the monarchy. He gave up his beloved naval career. He has always been dutiful and taken his commitments seriously. He saw his job as supporting The Queen. Period. What he personally wanted was secondary. He made a promise, if you will, and kept it.

This has to be something of a slap in the face to his values. Harry and Meghan are backing off of a commitment they made.

Then, there’s the fact that this is difficult on his wife- who just went through the Andrew debacle.

And to top it all off- the way they’re handling this in public is just dreadful. Not talking to the family before announcing, their demand list, now the Tom Bradby articles that come across as blackmail.

He’s 98 years old, not doing well- it is a shame that he is having to deal with this. Both he and The Queen should not have to be dealing with this.

[Betsypaige]

Originally Posted by evolvingdoors

Yea I was never impressed with the nickname. Tungsten is actually not a kind nickname, imo:
“Tungsten is known as one of the toughest things found in nature. It is super dense and almost impossible to melt. Pure tungsten is a silver-white metal and when made into a fine powder can be combustible and can spontaneously ignite.....Tungsten is used in many different ways because it is very strong and durable. It is very resistant to corrosion and has the highest melting point and highest tensile strength of any element. Its strength comes when it is made into compounds, though. Pure tungsten is very soft.”

The bolded says it all.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.liv...-tungsten.html

I believe Charles certainly meant it to be kind in that he was praising her strength - and no doubt felt after getting to know her that she could handle this life. He had no reason to suspect that Meghan would exhibit the worst qualities of Tungsten (if there can be “worst”). It seems to me that actress Meghan played her sweet, down to earth role to the hilt in order to ingratiate herself with the BRF

[Alison H]

Just as a general comment, it's still the headlines of the news this evening, and in tomorrow's papers, ahead of a diplomatic row with Iran, Brexit, the Australian bushfires, the Labour party leadership contest and everything else. Republicans can say what they like - interest in the Royal Family remains huge. It's just unfortunate that it's such a negative story.