The Duke and Duchess of Sussex: Transition & Future

[ACO]

I see both sides getting positive and negative attention. I don’t take social media all that seriously but seeing morning, news and debate shows take on it has been interesting. There are wide range of opinions and that in itself says a lot.

So it will an interesting period for all of them but ultimately I feel it will be fine. Most right now just having immediate reactions. Time will always tell and the next 2 weeks will be important.

[Tatiana Maria]

Originally Posted by wyevale

^ l refer you to the 'Paris Convention' [dated 1883] , the detail of which prevents the use and dissemination of protected symbols, names and logo's Worldwide..

The Ducal Coronet currently shown over their entwined Initials is one such image, and will 'have to go'..
In short they are legally prevented [worldwide] from utilising anything which references their [ex] Royal Status..

'Each Contracting State must refuse registration and prohibit the use of marks that constitute a reproduction, imitation or translation, liable to create confusion, of a mark used for identical and similar goods and considered by the competent authority of that State to be well known in that State and to already belong to a person entitled to the benefits of the Convention'.

'Each Contracting State must likewise refuse registration and prohibit the use of marks that consist of or contain, without authorization, armorial bearings, State emblems and official signs and hallmarks of Contracting States, provided they have been communicated through the International Bureau of WIPO. The same provisions apply to armorial bearings, flags, other emblems, abbreviations and names of certain intergovernmental organizations'.


https://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/ip/...ary_paris.html

Thanks! If I have understood it correctly, for emblems other than state emblems, grant of trademark protection in Britain is a precondition for other contracting states to grant the same protection. In the Trade Marks Act 1994, Chapter 26, the royal crown is designated as a "protected emblem", but the coronets of other members of the Royal Family are not expressly mentioned.

In any case, the Act provides that "the relevant member of the Royal Family" may give consent for their emblem or image to be used in a trade mark.

4 Specially protected emblems.

(1)A trade mark which consists of or contains—

(a)the Royal arms, or any of the principal armorial bearings of the Royal arms, or any insignia or device so nearly resembling the Royal arms or any such armorial bearing as to be likely to be mistaken for them or it,

(b)a representation of the Royal crown or any of the Royal flags,

(c)a representation of Her Majesty or any member of the Royal family, or any colourable imitation thereof, or

(d)words, letters or devices likely to lead persons to think that the applicant either has or recently has had Royal patronage or authorisation,

shall not be registered unless it appears to the registrar that consent has been given by or on behalf of Her Majesty or, as the case may be, the relevant member of the Royal family.

As a side note, the coronet in the Sussexes' monogram and armorial bearings represents a child of the oldest son and heir apparent of the monarch. It is distinct from the coronet used in the armorial bearings or monograms of nonroyal dukes.

[Denville]

Originally Posted by ACO

I see both sides getting positive and negative attention. I don’t take social media all that seriously but seeing morning, news and debate shows take on it has been interesting. There are wide range of opinions and that in itself says a lot.

So it will an interesting period for all of them but ultimately I feel it will be fine. Most right now just having immediate reactions. Time will always tell and the next 2 weeks will be important.

I don't know if it will be "fine" for the 2 of them. I think that for now, they may get favourable coverage in the USA and they'll make money for the present but it may not last that long..They will still earn but it wont be big bucks and they may not be so much liked. I don't know who is paying for tehir security in Canada but I don't think the Can People will want to do it indefinitely if they are covering it now.. and there will be issues about where they will live, how long they can stay abroad etc.

[_Heather_]

Originally Posted by Moonmaiden23

Am I the only one who caught the bit about how the Monarchy has no jurisdiction over the word Royal...but the Sussexes will play along and follow orders not to use it? Really? I mean...basically "you can't enforce it if we decide to defy you"...

Yes, this latest communique just screams PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE.

I was never as taken with Harry as other media and Royal watchers, but i never saw him adopting such a defiant borderline disrespectful stance with his father and grandmother. I don't know what is happening with him now.

And I don't see it ending at all well.

You’re definitely not the only one who caught it and, frankly, that particular statement tells me that the reports from yesterday of Meghan’s tantrum and statements that they can’t legally stop her from using “Royal” might have been a whole lot closer to the mark than a lot of people want to admit. These two have been walking that disrespectful and defiant border for quite some time but this whole statement jumped right on it and did a little dance. I 100% agree with you that this won’t end well. For either of them. And at this point I’d say it’s a safe bet that relationships with the rest of the family might very well be irreparable or, at the very least, forever changed and not for the better.

[wyevale]

As a side note, the coronet in the Sussexes' monogram and armorial bearings represents a child of the oldest son and heir apparent of the monarch. It is distinct from the coronet used in the armorial bearings or monograms of nonroyal dukes.

It is, and so its usage comes under the direct jurisdiction of the Lord Chamberlain [Earl Peel], a man who carefully protects the rights of HMQ [above ALL others].

The Sussexes are unlikely to get 'much joy' from him...

[Queen Claude]

While there is precedent for other titled members of the Royal Family to seek employment outside of the institution, for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, a 12-month review period has been put in place.

Hmmm, peevishness aside, this is an interesting statement. I am surprised that they used the term employment versus private income, because there are full-time royals from The Queen on down who generate private income and I doubt that they refer to themselves as Elizabeth Mountbatten-Windsor, Anne Mountbatten-Windsor, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, etc. on the paperwork.

I can't bring myself to have oodles of sympathy for Harry and Meghan, because while I do see them being treated differently due in part to the extreme scrutiny they receive, as someone else noted, their behavior (to me and that commenter) comes off as comparable to Veruca Salt. Ironically, I think that the Sussexes' website release stunt gave the BRF PTB more leverage in the "Sussexit" negotiations.

[Duke of Marmalade]

Loose cannon comes to my mind...
Throwing a tantrum because the BRF did not give in to their demands.
To go online with such a statement, again, speaks volumes about how full they are of themselves and how little respect they have for the BRF and the institution.
Either they have bad advisors or they refused to be advised.

It will all end in tears, easy to see.
I guess the 12 month review period is damage control by the BRF.


Lots of bad press will follow
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ry-spring.html


How about $u$$ex for the new branding?

[Denville]

Originally Posted by Queen Claude

Hmmm, peevishness aside, this is an interesting statement. I am surprised that they used the term employment versus private income, because there are full-time royals from The Queen on down who generate private income and I doubt that they refer to themselves as Elizabeth Mountbatten-Windsor, Anne Mountbatten-Windsor, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, etc. on the paperwork.

I can't bring myself to have oodles of sympathy for Harry and Meghan, because while I do see them being treated differently due in part to the extreme scrutiny they receive, as someone else noted, their behavior (to me and that commenter) comes off as comparable to Veruca Salt. Ironically, I think that the Sussexes' website release stunt gave the BRF PTB more leverage in the "Sussexit" negotiations.

but they are not (the other royals) moving out or partly out of Royal life, and planning to set up a new career wehre they WILL be using the fact that they are royals as the main attraction of their business. Of course social status is bound to be a factor with those younger minor royals who have business careers.. its impossible to completely take it out of the equation… but as far as I can see, H and Meg seem to have felt (probably correctly) that they could launch into a new career not because they really have anyting to "sell" but just because of who they are.. and they're using that to try and earn their living.
and even with the minor royals tehre is always a certain amount of feeling that at times they may drive over the thin line between " a little bit of using the fact that my mum is the queen's daughter" and naked exploitation.

[princess carmen]

I think they were simply trying to explain what is happening themselves instead of the press doing so. I see nothing wrong with what they wrote. The Queen does not own the word Royal that is a fact. I also don't believe for one minute they didn't know they wouldn't be using the word. It was discussed at the very beginning.
If this family were so together this would not be happening. They all seem to have issues.
I am happy that Harry got his family out of there and wish them a wonderful life.

[Blog Real]

Honestly, I think this is all very strange and I am also one of those who think this is not going to end well. I truly believe that it was Meghan who wanted to leave the UK and the royal family. And Prince Harry for love went after his wife and son. I don't know what their future will be like, but with today's announcement we learn that there is still a lot to resolve in the near future.

[Denville]

Originally Posted by Blog Real

Honestly, I think this is all very strange and I am also one of those who think this is not going to end well. I truly believe that it was Meghan who wanted to leave the UK and the royal family. And Prince Harry for love went after his wife and son. I don't know what their future will be like, but with today's announcement we learn that there is still a lot to resolve in the near future.

Its hard to say. I cant help feeling that maybe the 2 of them planned this some time ago and never intended to be full time royals... they just did a year or so to establish themselves, then planned to get out and make money

[wyevale]

I am happy that Harry got his family out of there

I'm happy about that too...

[Queen Claude]

Originally Posted by Denville

but they are not (the other royals) moving out or partly out of Royal life, and planning to set up a new career wehre they WILL be using the fact that they are royals as the main attraction of their business. Of course social status is bound to be a factor with those younger minor royals who have business careers.. its impossible to completely take it out of the equation… but as far as I can see, H and Meg seem to have felt (probably correctly) that they could launch into a new career not because they really have anyting to "sell" but just because of who they are.. and they're using that to try and earn their living.
and even with the minor royals tehre is always a certain amount of feeling that at times they may drive over the thin line between " a little bit of using the fact that my mum is the queen's daughter" and naked exploitation.

Harry and Meghan are unique in that they wanted to give up their status as full-time working royals to allow themselves to generate income, but to me that is a distinction without a difference. Neither Harry, Meghan nor any other royal can unring the bell that they are royal by birth or marriage and with that comes interest in them and opportunities.

However what I was pointing out was that working members of the BRF, from The Queen on down have pursued private income. In the case of The Queen all it takes is a quick perusal of the websites of The Queen's privately owned estates Balmoral or Sandringham to see that money making is happening and royal tie-ins are being used.

With the Sussexes, TPTB can and did step in to govern certain things like the use of their titles, styling and the term royal in their branding, but the Sussexes wanting to enrich themselves and "exploit" their royal status is not unique or unprecedented.

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

How about $u$$ex for the new branding?

[suztav]

The Sussex comments on their website sound incredibly defensive and, frankly, disrespectful, of the others who have opinions which may differ from their own. Did they really think that the institution surrounding the monarchy would actually allow them to just go off and do whatever they want? I realize that they (read: Meghan) thought that they could put out their statement of demands and see how much they could get … well, they now know that there are going to be restrictions.

They wanted to have their cake and eat it too! Foolish!

[Erin9]

Originally Posted by Betsypaige

Clearly H and M did not write this statement or else it would have sounded much more personal. I firmly believe some PR flunky - who’s terrible at his or her job - wrote it. This is the Sussexes personal website; they need to get a handle on it because whoever’s communicating its the public through this is making H and M sound completely unaware and silly.

I think the statement was VERY personal. It was completely unprofessional. They made it clear they were not not happy with the decisions made by the BRF aka HM aka Harry’s grandmother. No professional would have written such a whiny, passive aggressive, disrespectful, angry statement unless directed to do so imo.

If they didn’t personally write it, I believe they surely knew exactly what it would say. It was too hostile. And fits with exactly what they’ve been doing- and standing by- since at least the interview. Bottom line for me- their statement- their responsibility imo.

Someone described them as a “loose cannon” unthread. I have to agree. If this is what they’re willing to say and do publicly, I can only imagine what it’s been like behind the scenes. Unpleasant, I imagine. I never bought into: “Meghan’s difficult to work with” prior to this. I’m more than willing to believe both were/are now.

I’m pretty over these two right now. Which is unfortunate. I think they have a lot going for them. I think they’ve done a lot of good and likely still can. But- all of this consistently childish, unprofessional behavior over the last few months has really soured me on them. It’s not a one-off. It’s a mindset they seem stuck on.

They’ve had time to think things over since it became clear they wouldn’t get their way, time to think about their public response- and THIS was what they came up with?!

I understand if they’re unhappy, think things are unfair. Fine. Say it behind closed doors- to friends. Act like professionals. Everyone has job related issues. Most people are smart enough to not complain publicly. Especially after the decision is made.

Writing this I’m reminded of Meghan’s complaint that the “British stiff upper lip” doesn’t work. I guess she meant for EVERYTHING. Because it would appear they just want to vent their feelings publicly on a variety of unfair, to them, things. Even now.

[SOS]

Harry and Meghan are speaking from a place of privilege and it's showing.

[Erin9]

Originally Posted by princess carmen

I think they were simply trying to explain what is happening themselves instead of the press doing so.

They weren’t explaining imo. They were complaining about the results and clearly conveying their unhappiness.

Why they think that’s a good idea, IDK. Maybe they want sympathy and think this will get it for them: the BRF is mean, unfair, etc. Maybe some will sympathize. Others will just see them as entitled, whiny, unprofessional, disrespectful, spoiled, etc. If they like being controversial- I suspect they’ve succeeded.

What I don’t see is how this kind of a statement helps family relationships, which we know for a fact- thanks to Harry regarding William- have been strained. And this whole debacle has probably caused other relationships to be strained. This kind of statement doesn’t seem like a good way to mend things and move forward from a personal POV.

[Gawin]

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

How about $u$$ex for the new branding?

LOL!

Or "Sussex Roiled"?

[acdc1]

I’m almost exhausted by hearing about this whole situation. So much for departing for Canada to live a quiet life away from the press...

[bertie5252003]

They are a disgrace and I agree this was complaining. I am really horrified at this statement and hope that this is not going to be their preference that each time something happens they don't like they have a public whinge. Honestly IMO this whole thing is going to be a real problem for HM I am really sad for her