It's Harry's Life....
Why should he live it to the specifications and expectations of others?
There’s probably more than one member of this forum who has an adult child whose life and lifestyle they disapprove of, don’t like his spouse, hate his choice of career, disapprove of his political opinions or hobbies, etc...
Do you, can you force him to live his life as you see fit? Or is he entitled to make his own choices regardless of what you think?
I don’t think HM, the PoW, William, all the extended family, the U.K. newspapers and their readership, Piers Morgan, or the general public worldwide have the right to force H&M to live in a fashion that makes them unhappy. Charles said that his relationship with Camilla was “ non-negotiable”, no matter how much pain and embarrassment it caused others. No one objected to his spending Duchy money on his mistress. (Well, maybe they did!)
But Harry, currently 6th in line, is to have no autonomy just because others think he should do something different? Too bad, so sad, it is his life and he is entitled to live it as he pleases.
Of course, we are all entitled to our own opinions, I think a little more compassion is in order.
I do agree with you, Ladongas.
As an American I prize my independence.
It's just a fact of life that families move far away, move in different circles from their childhood friends, leave a family business, make a higher priority of their spouse and children then their grandparents/parents/siblings, as well as carving out their own financial situation.
As for knowing or doing that on your own in advance, some do, some can, others are more likely to do it when they find their life partner, or ? start a family if their own
. It's different for everyone.
Can we agree that Harry's lifestyle and role (recently touted as "William's secret weapon" in the tabloids) had made it downright IMPOSSIBLE for him to maintain a relationship which would otherwise most likely have been viable, successful and become a long term happy marriage because of the British press + internet?
Instead a press buffer was created for William, which allowed Kate and William to get their footing. Harry was a solider and with the troops.
I do worry for him, as I don't believe that pulling away from everyone and keeping to himself, with Meghan and Archie alone would satisfy - we all need extended friends and family He will want and need his home country and connections, as well as new life and connections that they establish together - hopefully freely. I am sad for hims that for his military (so closely related to the Crown) and Queens Commonwealth Youth roles to be taken.
They seem the sort to be able to create that in any new place if without the harassment of the daily tabloid papers (the rota) and _courtiers_leaking nasty stories. I hope it will be safe, peaceful and without paparazzi for them. I hope, I hope, that security will become less and less necessary over time rather than the opposite. It does very much depend on how they handle themselves going forward, Meg mustn't drum it up for fame. That she opted to be paid for her voiceover with a donation to charity bodes wells. She will succeed and take Harry along with her; I believe they can do it as a team. She does seem to need Harry's help with his ability to connect to others. She also seems to have many strong friendships of her own choosing as well.
Once H, M and A are happy, the English family will take it in stride better.
.. or not.
It must bite to see someone grab freedom, when you are stuck in a role that has been determined by your birth, obligation weighing heavy upon you, with a calendar of inescapable dates growing more solid and regular that it keeps you from daily moments with those you love. Surrounded by riches, but only the custodian. Duty to others, always.
But to me what is worse is to be 2-3 steps removed from all the riches with no freedom or power, with those above in rank jealous of your popularity while you remain ... possibly without a partner or children, getting older.
Life is compromise and choice, but each one of us has to make our own choice.
Even if it's one we never really thought possible.