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

[HereditaryPrincess]

I wonder where this stands with their presence at family events like Trooping the Colour? If they want to, I presume Harry and Meghan could attend Sandringham as even though we get to see them walk up to church Sandringham is more or less a family affair.

 

[Jannedde]

The Crown always wins. Harry and Meaghan's IG statement wasn't so bad, but it was such a bad tactic to release that website when they did, "collaborating with the Queen etc.

 

[poppy7]

I was surprised the Sussexes chose to drop their titles now - I thought they would do so eventually, but would wait for at least a few months to see how the situation pans out. It's clear from this, if it hadn't been from anything else, that the couple want out.

I wonder where this stands with their presence at family events like Trooping the Colour? If they want to, I presume Harry and Meghan could attend Sandringham as even though we get to see them walk up to church Sandringham is more or less a family affair.

Ah I don't think that was tbeir decision.

 

[rmay286]

The York's are working royal. The support the Queen at many events. Harry no longer will be.

No, they aren't working royals, but perhaps they will be now. Eugenie in particular really is good with people on her charity visits. I'd like to see more of her, if she's willing and if the Queen asks her.

 

[texankitcat]

Sussex was passed the position of Captain General of the Royal Marines from his grandfather, Prince Philip, who had held it from 1953 to 2017.

Sussex barely managed 3 years .. The Duke of Edinburgh must be devastated..

I don’t know about Prince Phillip being devastated. Livid? Perhaps. Disappointed? Most certainly. Phillip gave up a career he loved and devoted his life to duty in support of his wife, the Queen. I very much doubt he very happy with Harry.

 

[HereditaryPrincess]

Ah I don't think that was tbeir decision.

Yes, though I am sure they had to negotiate with HM so both parties came to a decision.

 

[yvr girl]

I'm aware that the correct billing would be "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex", but particularly in North America, a company booking them may prefer to use "Prince Harry and Princess Meghan" in the promotional material.

My question is whether that will be accepted under the new agreement. The official statement did not clarify whether the titles of Prince and Princess could be used, or whether other parties can continue to use the titles that the Sussexes themselves will stop using.

They don't go by Prince and Princess now...Duke and Duchess is higher.

 

[O-H Anglophile]

I find it all sad too but I wonder about what Philip's reaction was. Because we know he was ill, and some magazines said he was bed-ridden, but on the morning of the meeting at Sandringham, he was seen getting a ride on the estate with his friend Penny Brabourne. Apparently that was an hour before Harry showed up. So did he return home afterwards and see Harry? Or did he get up from bed that morning and go out purposely because he didn't want to see Harry (kind of like how he always avoids Sarah when she shows up)?

I wondered about that too-if Philip was avoiding Harry. It was said he was furious, especially because it upset the Queen so much.

 

[Erin9]

I was surprised the Sussexes chose to drop their titles now - I thought they would do so eventually, but would wait for at least a few months to see how the situation pans out. It's clear from this, if it hadn't been from anything else, that the couple want out.
.

Not using the HRH is less of a choice and more of a consequence of wanting financial freedom.

Their website made their desires clear. They wanted the best of both worlds. Didn’t work.

 

[Lady Daly]

Well, they are still members of the Mountbatten-Windsor family but not even occasional working Royals or even able to use their HRH.

And no, they will not continue to represent the Monarchy-they are out.

Correct, they will no longer be working royals or officially represent the Monarchy.

According to Harry and Meghan's updated website https://sussexroyal.com/monarchy/ "As members of the Royal Family, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex support Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by continuing her efforts to draw special attention to these groups as patrons of multiple organisations." Referencing their private patronages, ie Sentebale, the Invictus Games Foundation, Smart Works, etc.

Their updated website continues to give a history of patronages. "The history of patronages is a fascinating historical insight into the British Royal Family and the role they continue to play in The United Kingdom. ... patronages cover a broad spectrum of causes, a symbol of national pride that was so needed then and has carried over to present day. While there is a distinction between patronages and the community work the Duke and Duchess champion individually, there is sometimes overlap based on their interests. Today, Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have chosen their patronages to support charitable organisations that represent causes important to them and that honour the legacy of Her Majesty The Queen." A list of the organizations they will continue to support is also provided on their newly updated website. I think Harry and Meghan will continue to be very busy.

 

[Lumutqueen]

They don't go by Prince and Princess now...Duke and Duchess is higher.

Always was higher, todays announcement makes no difference to the title ranks.

 

[HereditaryPrincess]

Not using the HRH is less of a choice and more of a consequence of wanting financial freedom.

Their website made their desires clear. They wanted the best of both worlds. Didn’t work.

Well, that told me then!

 

[Erin9]

I don’t know about Prince Phillip being devastated. Livid? Perhaps. Disappointed? Most certainly. Phillip gave up a career he loved and devoted his life to duty in support of his wife, the Queen. I very much doubt he very happy with Harry.

Duty has been such an important aspect of Philip’s entire life. I can’t imagine his disappointment in Harry.

That he chose to do this publicly must make it worse.

 

[Denville]

I doubt their going to get much privacy from the media. In this past alonebmeghan was papped twice! (And I would bet my house those photographers were notified in advance of her location).

He married a dame hungry woman who will not rest even when she finally achieved it.

The review in a year is imo to give Harry enough time to wake up grab the child and get the hell out of dodge back to the U.K. where his family can protect him and his son.

there is no review in a year. The official announcement makes no mention of this...

 

[Lumutqueen]

there is no review in a year. The official announcement makes no mention of this...

Nope but the RRs have had confirmation from BP that this is the case.

 

[rmay286]

They will no longer use their HRH titles.

The official statement from HM The Queen.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1218601424986234881

Some people may say Harry and Meghan got too much, or the monarchy lost out, but I see it differently. I think this statement is an example of why I respect the Queen as a leader; even she doesn't hold any 'actual' power, she leads by example and setting a tone. This statement was very gracious towards Meghan and repeatedly mentioned family and called them much-loved members of the family. Given the circumstances, the tone could have been harsher. The Queen could have simply cut them off for not cooperating and set the stage for a family estrangement a la the Markles. Instead, she's reiterated how much she values them and that she respects their desire to set a different course, which shows how wise and measured she is and that she is, I believe, a true Christian.

 

[O-H Anglophile]

I was surprised the Sussexes chose to drop their titles now - I thought they would do so eventually, but would wait for at least a few months to see how the situation pans out. It's clear from this, if it hadn't been from anything else, that the couple want out.

I wonder where this stands with their presence at family events like Trooping the Colour? If they want to, I presume Harry and Meghan could attend Sandringham as even though we get to see them walk up to church Sandringham is more or less a family affair.

I don’t think not using HRH and Prince was a Sussex choice. I think it was part of the terms they ultimately agreed to.

They could be on the balcony with other members of the family at Trooping, but they wouldn’t ride in the carriages like they did the past two years.
I’m skeptical we will see them, but you never know.

 

[poppy7]

Correct, they will no longer be working royals or officially represent the Monarchy.

According to Harry and Meghan's updated website https://sussexroyal.com/monarchy/ "As members of the Royal Family, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex support Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by continuing her efforts to draw special attention to these groups as patrons of multiple organisations." Referencing their private patronages, ie Sentebale, the Invictus Games Foundation, Smart Works, etc.

Their updated website continues to give a history of patronages. "The history of patronages is a fascinating historical insight into the British Royal Family and the role they continue to play in The United Kingdom. ... patronages cover a broad spectrum of causes, a symbol of national pride that was so needed then and has carried over to present day. While there is a distinction between patronages and the community work the Duke and Duchess champion individually, there is sometimes overlap based on their interests. Today, Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have chosen their patronages to support charitable organisations that represent causes important to them and that honour the legacy of Her Majesty The Queen." A list of the organizations they will continue to support is also provided on their newly updated website. I think Harry and Meghan will continue to be very busy.

That hasn't been updated yet.

 

[lirienn]

Poor family. Harry leaving and knowing that TQ and Philip won't live too long... Giving up so much for the pretty much unknown. The grass is greener. I wonder if their love is strong enough... Harry got depressed pretty quickly and yeah it was because of the press but love didn't exactly make him happy after they got engaged and wed. He isn't rational. Just like the last statement wasn't.

 

[texankitcat]

Oh the irony and audacity of these two to use this quote from the Queen on their website:

“I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.”

I find these two to be completely despicable and without an ounce of shame.

 

[Denville]

Nope but the RRs have had confirmation from BP that this is the case.

Seems strange that they woudlnt' put it on the official announcment. I think maybe they hope Harry will retrun but I would not put money on it and I would say he's too unpopular now to be welcomed back

 

[Alison H]

I think it's sad for all of us, because Harry marrying Meghan was such a historic moment. Until the war, maybe even into the '60s and beyond, a lot of people of all backgrounds were given hassle over their choice of partner. Even with working-class people, families would sometimes fall out over a marriage, usually because of religion. Princess Margaret couldn't marry Peter Townsend because he was divorced. Harry and Meghan's wedding was seen as telling everyone that it was absolutely fine for any couple to be together, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, class, previous marriages, anything, and that really was a big thing. Less than two years later, this happens. After Charles and Diana, I think we're all past fairytales, but for Harry and Meghan, who symbolised all that, to jump ship is very sad.

 

[Somebody]

Debate around, as they're no longer royals, can they use Sussex Royal or are they going to have to rebrand? I would assume so.

I would assume that there are many more details agreed on, including not being allowed to use 'royal' in any of their branding; so I would expect 'Sussex Royal' to be out. The use of 'Sussex' is free game.

Was it confirmed to the reporters that 'Spring' effectively means when their new foundation is launched as 'Spring' is a rather vague description.

From ITV's Chris Ship

@chrisshipitv Note how the very first line from the Queen was: “Following many months of conversations and more recent discussions...” I hear there were many different drafts of that line So who was telling the truth last week when the Royal Family claimed to be ‘blindsided’ by the statement?


Yeah... I am sure more questions will be raised soon enough.

The queen's statement seems to have written in a way to praise Harry and Meghan as much as possible to soften the blow they have been given. The BP statement is much more straight forward.

 

[O-H Anglophile]

Correct, they will no longer be working royals or officially represent the Monarchy.

According to Harry and Meghan's updated website https://sussexroyal.com/monarchy/ "As members of the Royal Family, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex support Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by continuing her efforts to draw special attention to these groups as patrons of multiple organisations." Referencing their private patronages, ie Sentebale, the Invictus Games Foundation, Smart Works, etc.

Their updated website continues to give a history of patronages. "The history of patronages is a fascinating historical insight into the British Royal Family and the role they continue to play in The United Kingdom. ... patronages cover a broad spectrum of causes, a symbol of national pride that was so needed then and has carried over to present day. While there is a distinction between patronages and the community work the Duke and Duchess champion individually, there is sometimes overlap based on their interests. Today, Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have chosen their patronages to support charitable organisations that represent causes important to them and that honour the legacy of Her Majesty The Queen." A list of the organizations they will continue to support is also provided on their newly updated website. I think Harry and Meghan will continue to be very busy.

Their website has not been updated since BP’s announcement today other than to replace their ridiculous manifesto with a brief statement. All that you’ve quoted has been there for some time and is not current.

“In line with the statement by Her Majesty the Queen, information on the roles and work of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be updated on this website in due course....”

 

[Betsypaige]

Anne, Andrew and Edward didn't get their own court either. Nor did Princess Margaret. It is usually just the heir. The only reason William has a third royal court is because of the long reign of The Queen. It's not very often that a monarch has 3 adult direct heirs.

Good points. Harry seems to want everything William has, except he doesn’t want the responsibility or burden...hmm.

 

[Lumutqueen]

I would assume that there are many more details agreed on, including not being allowed to use 'royal' in any of their branding; so I would expect 'Sussex Royal' to be out. The use of 'Sussex' is free game.



Was it confirmed to the reporters that 'Spring' effectively means when their new foundation is launched as 'Spring' is a rather vague description.

Spring is any time between the start of March and the end of May.

 

[Denville]

I would assume that there are many more details agreed on, including not being allowed to use 'royal' in any of their branding; so I would expect 'Sussex Royal' to be out. The use of 'Sussex' is free game.

Was it confirmed to the reporters that 'Spring' effectively means when their new foundation is launched as 'Spring' is a rather vague description.



The queen's statement seems to have written in a way to praise Harry and Meghan as much as possible to soften the blow they have been given. The BP statement is much more straight forward.

I don't think it means very much. they are being pushed out.. well they said they wanted to go.. so now tey are being told "go".

 

[Lady Daly]

That website isn't up to date...there is even a note on the home page stating the fact. They are still part of the family but they won't be representing the monarchy after the transition.

I just came from their website, it appears to be updated. Really, am I totally wrong on this?

Thank you, I see where they indicate "update in due course".

 

[Betsypaige]

People Magazine, Us Weekly, In Touch Weekly will still report on them.

I don’t see the Daily Mail giving up coverage- there even is a US online version and a TV show.

“Genuine” newspapers in the U.S rarely report much on them as it is.

Yes, ok...celebrity magazines, not hard news... and that’s my point, which I guess will be good for Meghan and Harry as the celeb/entertainment media is pretty soft

 

[poppy7]

Good points. Harry seems to want everything William has, except he doesn’t want the responsibility or burden...hmm.

He clearly juat isn't made for this royal life but then neither was Margaret or Andrew. Is Charlotte going to appear with pink hair and join extinction rebellion and get herself glued to trains. At least that would be publically minded.