Here are some photos of Prince Harry at the opening of the Commonwealth Youth Forum this morning in London. This week is all about the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, and Harry and Meghan Markle are scheduled to make some high-profile appearances throughout the week. Meghan’s not due to be seen until Wednesday, but Harry opened up the Youth Forum today, and he gave a speech where he announced that he and Meghan would both be Commonwealth Youth Ambassadors. Those positions mean that they will be expected to undertake royal tours to Commonwealth countries and focus on youth issues in their work. Here’s part of the text of Harry’s speech:
“When I was reflecting on how to make the biggest impact with this new role, I turned to the ultimate source of guidance on all things Commonwealth: the words of The Queen herself. On the day of her 21st birthday, the then Princess Elizabeth gave an extraordinary radio address from Cape Town. With an eye on the future, and an already unflinching sense of duty, she made a commitment. She said that whether her life be long or short, it would be dedicated to the service of the people of The Commonwealth. All of us here today can be grateful that it is a long life The Queen is still enjoying.
“Her Majesty’s commitment has meant that The Commonwealth is a thriving family of nations, a common link between nearly two and a half billion people, and a defender of democracy, justice, and peace.”
“As I travel around the Commonwealth in my work on behalf of The Royal Family, it is striking to see just how different today’s generation of young adults are. You are connected. You have made positive use of technology to build relationships within your communities, nations and across the globe. You care. You want your nations to be cleaner, your planet to be greener, your friends and neighbours to be treated fairly and with respect, no matter their ethnicity, their religion, or their status. You are optimistic. The complicated challenges we face – climate change, inequality, conflict – they do not discourage you. Rather, they inspire you to persevere and effect change.”
“In my new role, I will work to support The Queen, my father The Prince of Wales, and my brother William, all of whom know that young people are the answer to the challenges of today. I am also incredibly grateful that the woman I am about to marry, Meghan, will be joining me in this work, of which she too is hugely excited to take part in.”
I like that he called Meghan a “woman” and not a “girl.” Do you think Meghan is truly “hugely excited”? If I was Meg right about now, I would be having some second thoughts. I’m not saying that to be judgmental or mean or anything, but the engagement really has been a whirlwind and maybe that’s by design: don’t give Meghan too much time to think about how her life is going to drastically change. Yes, she’s in love and she’ll be side-by-side with the man she loves. But also: the Windsors are going to work her a lot harder than they ever worked Kate. Meghan will have no “grace period” to adjust to her role and position. They’re already lining up tons of sh-t for her to do.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
She is smart. She understands the Windsor agenda and will use it to her and Harry’s advantage…I hope.
Yes!
She’s been in an industry that is shiny and smiley on the surface, dark and seedy underneath, being part of the family firm is no different.
She knows what she’s doing. Shes well prepped for it.
Exactly! As an actress she can smile when she doesn’t feel like it and pretend that people are fascinating when in actuality they’re as boring AF.
And to get as far as she did in Hollywood, Meghan would’ve needed to be a self starter and fairly driven. I think she has a much stronger work ethic than Kate. Also, she seems genuinely interested in helping others and I can see her using her new platform for good.
Oh please! She has no idea what she’s in for. You can’t compare her life before Harry and think for one second she’s prepared. She herself admits she’s never been under this intense scrutiny. Or anything even close to it. I gotta laugh at some of these comments.
@Jonnie, she did admit she lived under the radar but she never said she had never worked this much, nor that she wasn’t prepped for this job. Meghan’s work record speaks for itself, she is more that capable of successfully fulfilling this role.
I think she’s in for a big wake-up call.
What kind of a “wake up call”? She wants this kind of life – public, engaged with various people and causes, tons of fashionable perks. Her choices in the past reflect that.
Yes…this, exactly. Great observations today.
No freedom to speak on your own, your own views. No freedom to choose your own causes. Diana did that but after she was divorced. And the glare of the spotlight and constant criticisms.
Here is one: why would a woman who gave up everything in her life for a man speak to Women Empowerment??? That’s getting a lot of questions, as it should. Any power Meghan now has comes from Harry, a man. She was relatively unknown until she hooked up with him.
@Veronica T “Why would a woman who gave up everything in her life speak to Women Empowerment???” – I agree with you on that. It is hypocritical. But I doubt she sees it that way. She couldn’t keep all of that AND become a princess of the UK, could she? Maybe next generation of the British royals will finally challenge the tradition of women giving up their life while men continue keeping it.
She gave up her pre-marriage social media, but who knows if she will participate in an official account in the future like Queen Rania and Princess Madeleine.
She gave up working with the UN and WorldVision, both of which were deemed too political for the BRF. Yes, the UN is considered political. But she hasn’t give up her work with women and girls. One of the charities named for their wedding donations is one she worked with before with WorldVision. It appears she is taking her personal charity interests and seeing how to fit them into a new role.
Again, did all of you have such contempt and pity for every other person who gave up their career and married in to royal families? Or are all of these protests, as per usual, only aimed at Meghan Markle?
@Nota I agree with your general point but in all fairness, the BRF is really the only one well-known in mainstream culture. They’re the only royals who are regularly on the cover of People magazine and are household names in parts of the world other than the UK. So our only point of reference is Kate, who obviously had no career — or anything at all, for that matter — to give up. (And Grace Kelly, but she’s not really relevant here.)
If every royal family was covered this extensively, I’m sure other royal brides would have had a sh!tshow of negativity to deal with.
She never did all that much work with women and girls. She took one trip to India, gave one speech at the UN and attended 2 events in Toronto. That’s really not much “work.” I hope she does well as a royal but I don’t pretend she was a real humanitarian. She’s the kind of humanitarian that only exists in Hollywood. They pay PR firms to build an image as a philanthropist and humanitarian. It’s not real though. It’s all manufactured.
In English maybe, but that isn’t the case in other languages. Nor does it apply to royal watching as a whole, even if CB rarely covers other royals.
Letizia has been the center of extremist negative attacks from day one from the traditional Spanish royal watchers. Others are under constant attack in the tabloids in their local countries, Princess Madeleine being a big example. And the sad case of Crown Princess Masako, constantly attacked for being a modern woman in a medieval system.
Maxima was a banker, Mathilde had her own speech therapy practice, Daniel owed a series of gyms, Masako was a diplomat fluent in 4-5 languages, Letizia was top newscaster under 30 in Spain. Letizia and Mathilde were under the radar and unknown until the day of the engagement announcements.
All the others had careers and publicly dated their royal spouse, in the full glare of their country’s media and tabloids. Some with international exposure (Maxima, Mary) because they came from another country.
@Olivia says: She never did all that much work with women and girls. She took one trip to India, gave one speech at the UN and attended 2 events in Toronto.
– I think that was the beginning. Keeping in mind that her name wasn’t really important I expect she wasn’t invited to a lot of things at the time. Remember that Williams woman was talking about Meghan trying to apply for something to do on her show? She was turned away. No big organization wants you unless you have a name or money, otherwise what can you bring to the table?
I’m sure now Markle will become a lot busier. Too bad she can’t really choose anymore and The Firm will be controlling her options.
@notasugarhere – how can someone be a “top newscaster under 30” and under the radar at the same time?
Not A Sugar, I have contempt for Kate cause she never had anything to give up. Doesn’t make her any less of an Empowered woman than Meghan who gave up things she had earned. And listing an organization that works with women for gifting is a pretty low bar for continuing her work with women.
But you will see it the way you do. Nothing would change your mind.
It will be tough for her but so far I think she has coped marvellously. I remember Diana saying that one of the constraints of royal life was having bodyguards following you about everywhere and having to show consideration towards them and factor their needs into your own while resenting the lack of privacy.
No one threw her to the ground and wrested her freedom away. She is a smart, self-made woman who had an acting career, a good degree, diplomatic experience in South America, endorsements and a clothing line, as well as a blog I knew about and read long before she surfaced with Harry. She has made her choices as many women do, princesses-to-be or not. She chose Harry and love and this life and seems like she will start well, with the advantage of her own intelligence, effort, caring and his support. How on earth is that bad?
Yes, life will contain unexpected things for her, just as it does for any of us. I have lived through and experienced things I never anticipated or expected, some grave and shocking, and I had to adjust, find my way thru, so I did. I made trade offs and choices to steer my little life and one gives up things along the way, and discovers wonderful new things. There are tears and joys, challenges and successes, work, teeth gritting and perseverance. There are bad guys and heroes, politics and fighting the good fight. And laughing and great love. Anyone who chooses to step off the small safe turf and grow and live will be challenged, surprised, and grow, fall down, and stand up again.
Because this is life, not a snug playpen of toys.
She is an adult woman in love, in 2018, with a healthy bank account she created, poise, goals, self-worth, and a fiancé who loves her. Yes her life will be one few of us will live. But this is not a stupid or lazy woman. So talking about her like some kind of naive dazzled kidnapped teen Diana in the 1980s…. I mean, seriously?
@Olivia
Yes, this ‘humanitarian work’ is on the thin side. All organised by her PR company for profile building Meg’s career and only commenced when she had them on board representing her. Before that, there was a 20 year gap from the letter writing campaign to the soap people. It’s just been spun to a frenzy to be far more than it actually is. Even up to the engagement there were just a handful of activities all told; I can only count two more than you have mentioned. Her spurned ex-PR agent mentioned a couple of high profile things in the pipeline that were never realized – a book and line of products – so I’d put Meghan Markle in the entrepreneurial category of making the most of every opportunity to make herself money and a good life. Nothing wrong with that. She’s smart. She knows exactly what she’s in for. She’s not lazy but her husband-to-be, his brother and his wife most definitely are and she will need all her acting chops not to be totally contemptuous of people who are given everything for doing nothing.
Rhys, she was under the radar because no one knew they were dating until their engagement was announced. While she might have been well-known in her own right, they didn’t conduct their romance in the glare of publicity. Ditto Mathilde, as their courtship was secret until the day the announced the engagement. The others were publicly outed for years as dating a royal and continued their careers in the full glare of that.
We’ve had 15 years of Kate Middleton, 7 officially on the job. And she’s done next to nothing. Meghan Markle is 5 months on the job, not even officially yet. Far too early to say that she isn’t going to continue work with girls and women, when she’s already bolstering the coffers of one organization she worked with before. We have to wait and see what she does.
Eh, she basically had this position supporting Canadian youth (way before even knowing Harry) while she lived in Toronto, during Suits filming breaks.
Amen. I like Harry and Meghan and wish they the best. But c’mon…she has not one clue what life in the palace will really be like. How in the world could she? That article, who wears the pants? Well the palace does of course lmao.
Honestly they aren’t going to do any groundbreaking stuff. I’ve noticed that the younger royals aren’t great at being ambassadors and diplomacy.
I think their role is most to bring awareness to different causes. Which, I mean, considering the kind of life taxpayers provide them..I’m not sure we are getting our money’s worth.
We are not getting our moneys worth. Once Queen is gone there is no point unless there is a miracle.
Thanks for your comment…No, I do not think we are getting our money’s worth. The younger royals quickly tire of anything that demands sleeve rolling and actual hard, hands on work. That is a fact.
@KEEPITREAL, the younger royals are worthless. It’s no wonder other countries don’t respect them compared to Diana when she was their age. Interesting.
Not to mention the hypocrisy of royals, the apex of an unjust economic and social hierarchy, to be promoting equality. Some would say having the royals get real jobs and give up their unjustly accumulated inherited wealth would actually promote justice and equality.
Please give examples of how the younger royals quickly tire of any jobs they are given since you have the facts.
@PrincessK, they are lazy and don’t have the work ethic.
I think she is hugely excited to be busy and work hard. She’s worked for most of her life like all of us and like all of us, if we suddenly had a lot of time off it would be a rough adjustment. The busier the better for her probably.
This. Royals set their own pace and schedule. She is choosing to get out there and work.
Yes! We’ve seen her working sooooo hard.
Come on, Joanie, she has done maybe 6 events since November! Exhausting!
I don’t actually blame her for that – she isn’t married yet. But let’s add up all of the events Harry has done since November? Maybe 2 more than she did? Oh, I forgot! He can’t work much cause of wedding planning. /giggling ironically
He is lazy. She hasn’t been lazy in her life, but we shall see.
Actually, more like 10-12. More than twice what Kate Middleton did during her engagement period. Will she do more post-marriage? We don’t know, we can only wait and see.
I think (correct me if I’m wrong) Joannie was being sarcastic. Whatever the point, Meghan does have a career she gave up. I hope she’s happy with that decision.
They all gave up careers when they married their royal matches, except Kate Middleton who had no career and did nothing for a decade. KM setting the stage for doing nothing now.
We have no idea of what their lives are really like behind the scenes but do you really think that when we don’t see them they are lying in bed all day watching day time television? From what we know Harry and Meghan do not have staff at Nott Cott apart from a cleaner. Anybody who has had servants or has been in charge of a number of staff in an office situation should know that just organising them takes up a to of time and sometimes its actually quicker to do things by yourself but you can’t because that is not how it works.
I am in no doubt that for the past six months Meghan has been very busy both in public and in private and she will continue to be. But on another note since when were Kings, Queens and Princesses and Princes meant to work like coal miners? I see no reason why Meghan should overwork herself to the bone just to please people who will always be against her and/or the RF no matter what.
I agree. Of course it’s new people and new things-but she seems like this is what she’s done very successfully in her past. Going to Northwestern would have been a huge cultural shift from growing up in LA, then later she moved to Toronto and created a whole new life for herself, and did her own branding for Tig. I think she’s going to be fine.
Totally agree – I really think her transition from LA to Toronto speaks volumes about her ability to flourish in new settings. By all accounts, she made a thoroughly awesome life for herself in Canada.
@PrincessK
The British Royal Family is paid by the public purse, hence they are public servants, albeit glorified ones. Their lifestyle and their accommodation and their security and their travel and their clothes and everything else is paid for by the public. In return some of them ‘work’ undertaking duties associated with the functioning of the state. But that’s only the monarch and anyone deputized on her behalf. I think it was George V who instituted taking on other functions (charities etc) in order to be visible and therefore relevant so as to maintain position and state income. Is it needed? Probably not. It seems like a time filler – hence William and Harry’s disdain for it. Should they be paid to do charity when millions of people volunteer their time and expertise to do hands-on work? And what constitutes ‘full-time royal work’ anyway? Unfortunately that is not defined and it really needs to be and debated publicly. They set their own agenda and hours. What we do know is that full-time in the case of William, Harry and Kate amounts to very little compared with their aunt Anne and granny and grandpa and father. I don’t think you’d see the trio for dust if no money came their way from the Duchy, ultimately owned by the public anyway. Best to let them live off their own private money and pay them modest per diems for a limited range of activities (as per Princess Madeleine of Sweden) and transfer the hundreds of millions back into public services. These titles (such as your moniker) are just made up and a remnant of ancient times. We should all grow up and realise that every person is of equal value.
Aren’t they a bit old to be youth ambassadors?
Lol! Blasphemy!They will throw you to the Tower!
hahahahahahaha you are funny
Right! George and Charlotte should totally have those roles. I would’ve been eagerly awaiting their speeches after their nap time.
😉
LOLLLL
@Honest B., I’m Adventist by faith and in my church youth is from 13-99years 🙂 Particularly in our field (central Uganda field) most youth leaders are in the 25-45year age bracket.
Lol – true!
Well you don’t need to have mental health problems to be a mental health ambassador you just require knowledge, interest and understanding.
There are any number of genuinely ‘young’ people across many countries in the Commonwealth who have records of achievement in actually doing things to empower their fellow citizens. These are the people who should be tapped to lead, not a couple of middle-aged foreigners appointed through nepotism with no idea about us and no loyalty to us – or at best faux loyalty and faux interest while they are on our shores. This business of “bringing awareness” is utter BS. They soak up money that could go to people in need. All they do is wave, smile, give a speech written by someone and move on after an hour. They derive personal PR from the event for the sole reason of preserving the illusion of relevance and keeping privilege. It’s all about them in the guise of helping others.
Well I think you must be living in a different world if you think ‘any number of genuinely ‘young’ people across many countries in the Commonwealth who have records of achievement’ could have the same impact as H & M if they were placed on the world stage as ambassadors.
I actually think Meghan is comfortable with this and wants the work. She’s someone who has been happily active in causes she believes in before so this marriage is giving her an opportunity to make a massive difference to so many organisations, and I don’t think she’ll shirk it at all. I really do believe that she and Harry are going to end up the superstars in this family. I think they’re going to be hugely supportive of each other every step of the way.
Duchess Dolittle never had any intention of being anything other than a lady of leisure and the palace has to drag both her and William to any events kicking and screaming. I see some interesting times ahead with leaked stories as W&K try to shore up their position.
I think that Meghan wanted this position too. It could have simply been given to Harry. Meanwhile William has not shown his face for an engagement for close to a month. Kate is the one about to give birth so what exactly has he been doing?
Nic919, could it be that William work is just not being reported? Maybe people are just not interested in him as much sans Kate, IDK.
How many engagements has Harry done since he and Meghan got engaged? Maybe 2 more than she has?
They are ALL lazy sots! Meghan is not going to be working like Anne or Sophie cause they won’t let her outshine Kate.
Veronica, are you saying that Sophie and Anne (both much lower on the succession totem) are allowed to outshine Kate but Harry and Meghan won’t? Your logic doesn’t make sense.
She already outshines Kate in built-in work ethic, ability to give a speech, working behind the scenes, and in engagement numbers during the pre-wedding period.
William’s last court circular entry before today was around March 25 or something. He has not been working.
It has been rumored that W & K take the kids to Amner Hall during the school holidays. They disappeared for a week during the last school holidays (a week in February) and it was rumored they were in Norfolk. Easter break started from March 28/29 to April 15th (yesterday). If William’s last event was March 25th and his newest one was today then the dates pretty much line up, although he did give himself a few extra days off. But then again it has also been rumored he has been doing Duchy stuff behind the scenes.
@Nic
William does not like to work and has a life of his own. What he does I have no idea, but the suggestion that is a secret worker bee is laughable.
It was remarked on by royal watchers that he hasn’t done an engagement since March 23rd. And while he may have been with the kids, he managed to also see an Aston Villa match last week. So if he can take time for a soccer match and be away from his kids during their break, he could have snuck in some actual work as well. He is supposed to be a full time royal now, so again what is his excuse.
Masamf, yes, in a way I am. Ann gets basically zero attention/publicity when she does her, what? 400 events a year. Same with Sophie. They will never outshine Kate cause no one pays attention to them.
But Meghan and Harry will get a lot of media attention for every event, at least in the beginning because Harry is still popular, for now, and Meghan is from a different world than the “typical” English royal bride. So I don’t think they will be allowed to do more work than Wills and Kate, cause it would be very obvious to all.
At Veronica T, I see you are trying to set stage to excuse Harry and Meghan if, in future, they work less that William and Kate and I tell you, its not gonna work. Your excuses are just that, hogwash. If Harry and Meghan work less than perpetual duchess Dolittle and work-shy Will-not-work, it will not be because the palace wont let Harry and Meghan outwork the Dolittles but rather because they too are lazy just like the Dolittles,
Have you never heard of over exposure?? Ann and Sophie may work hard but they don’t get the coverage because they are not that interesting. Oh yes, I am sure the sales of Hello would be sky high if they stuck Anne’s gloomy face on its cover every week.
Harry and Meghan can get far more exposure for their charities and bring in much more money for them by doing fewer engagements than someone like Anne. The security and planning around their engagements is also more time consuming and expensive than for someone like Andrew or Edward and so the palace and the police would regard it as a nightmare if Harry and Meghan were on show five days a week. People need to get real!
@PrincessK, I was being sarcastic, your post makes a lot more sense . If Meghan and Harry don’t get “exposed” as often as we want them to be, IMO it won’t have anything to do with outshining the Cambridges.
Hogwash to the overexposure idea. The majority of royal work is under the radar, which is the way it should be. The bread-and-butter that keep them in their positions, the vast majority of the engagement totals racked up by the others.
It is fan fiction at its finest to pretend that Kate Middleton working more than 1 hour a week would be overexposure and dangerous to charity work.
@Maddy, I totally agree with the first part of your post. As for Kate, I think she made a huge mistake not working consistently before engagement and marriage to prince William. By the time she got married, she found it hard to adjust herself into some working woman that she was not used to. And I believe Meghan prior work ethic/record serves to her advantage. Someone made a comment on one forum and said that if the younger royals want to succeed and for the monarchy to continue past prince Charles, they’re gonna do more than what they’re doing, namely Kate and William need to do more than just popping out kids and Harry and Meghan need to do more than just being ambassadors to the Commonwealth, and I totally agree with this. Angelina Jolie (Im not a fan, but I give her due credit) is one of the greatest ambassadors I know but she still works full-time and juggles a family of 6 kids and is a newly single parent. I believe Harry and Meghan can work 9-5 part time jobs and successfully fulfill their Commonwealth ambassadorial roles. If they can’t get any work anywhere, can they at least get jobs at the prince’s trust? I know they can successfully do this (if its part time) and do their roles as patrons of some charity trusts and also work as ambassadors. Meghan was working a full-time job in Canada and also successfully fulfilled her roles as ambassador at Women United Nations and World Vision Canada, so its doable.
The fact that Harry and Meghan will be superstars goes without saying. Photojournalists are very good judges of how popular royals are, and I am waiting for them to make some comments. I notice how Hello magazine, which likes to keep on everyones good side is being very careful to balance coverage of both Meg and Kate on their front pages but something tells me that right now and for the foreseeable future Meghan alone could deliver what they want in terms of sales.
I think the opportunity to make some REAL positive change in society and to do GOOD WORKS is one of the biggest planks in the platform that her and Harry’s relationship is built on…and I think they will both be magnificent in this endeavor…
This.
Lala, they can only be effective within their boundaries. We all need to remember that these are not politicians and thus judge them (or have our expectations of their roles tailored) around that understanding.
I mean, sure, promoting charity is better than being idle rich. But I do find it, you know, hypocritical for ROYALS to be promoting equality. Royals wouldn’t exist without an unjust social and economic hierarchy. They could promote equality by giving up their titles and hereditary wealth based on the unjust class system and get jobs like everyone else. Just saying.
@Shockedandpapped, the same applies to ALL people in positions of power, not just to the royals. I don’t get what will be accomplished by your posting multiple posts of the same talking points. The royals are wealthy and getting the biggest cut of the pie, but so is Theresa May, Donald Trump, Malcolm Turnbull, Justin Trudeau, and those before them Steven Harper, George Bush Bill and Hilary Clinton etc etc…the list is endless. They all are wealthy people still getting the largestest amount of money in the entire world, so the world isn’t gonna end just because Harry and Meghan who you don’t like are Commonwealth ambassadors. .
@MASAMF I’m not sure if maybe you’re being sarcastic, but the obvious huge difference is that all of those people were elected, not just born into the “right” family.” There is an enormous difference in the minds of taxpayers between the two.
Sure, there are lots of arguments to be made, especially with the Bush family and the Trudeaus, that they had an unfair leg up because of their names/connections, but the fact remains that they were elected by the people. (Let’s not get into W being chosen by the Supreme Court in 2000…for purposes of this discussion, he was “elected,” just like 45 was “elected.” 😒) There is obviously a ton of corruption. But both Bill Clinton and Barack Obama are completely self-made, with no “dynasty” backing them.
Masamf, really? You are comparing powerful people like the Obamas, who earned their excellent educations and then their political power through hard work, talent and grit to Wills and Harry, born from the right womb? Come on! You are talking apples and oranges. Wills and Harry are embarrassingly unaccomplished considering ALL of the advantages they have. The Obamas are amazing considering all of the hurdles they had to overcome. Not even in the same conversation.
Do you really think that the Queen believes that on a human level people are not her equal? The Queen is just playing a role, its not the person its the position just like any hierarchical organisation. Some people are born into wealthy families but there is nothing divine about it. Being born rich can be an enormous and sometimes nasty burden. Rich or poor the most important thing is how you live your life.
@PrincessK
The Queen does believe she was sent from God… well, her God anyway. Sure, she’s playing a role but she most clearly does NOT believe in equality when she wants to make the Head of the Commonwealth an hereditary position by passing it to her son. That idea is not flying with the other Commonwealth leaders aka massive push back. So, she tries another tack and appoints her grandson, Harry and American bride-to-be, Youth Ambassadors for Christ’s sake – a made-up job where they will visit strangers and tell them wht’s good for them… to bring awareness because foreigners know better than we do. And let’s not forget how she appointed grandson Peter Phillips to run some dodgy Jubilee street party in the Mall and was £750,000 richer for his efforts. If she’s into equality, she’d call an end to the monarchy. The Queen is all about cementing her own family’s privilege.
She didn’t appoint Peter. He came up with the idea, ran with it when it should have been rethought, and had to remove himself publicly because of conflict of interest. His firm still ended up making bank off of it. Another example of how Anne and her line tend to get away with a lot because many people aren’t looking.
@Addie….I can assure you that HM and the others DO NOT believe that they were sent from God…..lol!😂
@LALA ITA. Did anyone read the article from her old agent? She stated that Megan said she wanted to change the world with Harry. I think that much of this relationship is transactional and built on what one can do for the other. She makes the prince seem like a People’s Prince and he gives her access to high society circles that will extend her ability to give back while maintaining her lifestyle. As long as the Palace- men in gray as Diana called them- doesn’t have a problem with her outshining him then they will be a golden couple for years to come. Its simply a fact that women royals draw bigger crowds, and with her being so relatable she could easily pull crowds sans her hubby. I worry that once they have kids expectations will change…they may want her to play wife a bit more…but we shall see.
Well if they have kids I should jolly well hope that any children will be their top priority. My children were always my number one priority and they are still a major focus for me.
Working parents are not bad parents, no matter what W&K might tell you. They are all, H+M included, capable of working an exhausting 10-20 hours per week and still, gasp, manage to have wonderful relationships with their kids.
She’s worked her entire life, she’s not someone who is expecting to flit about her country estate baking pies and making chutney, only popping out to the odd event to show off her fancy wardrobe. If anything, the job aspect of this is what will keep her sane, she clearly has an interest in charity work, and just having whatever type of career she can more generally. It’s why KP is able to tout her past accomplishments and interests in their press materials, she actually has some.
IDK, they almost certainly have some kind of plan but it’s better to underpromise and over-deliver. This seems like a lot of building pressure. Couple that with their vacationing and Harry’s whining…
This is true. Trust me, us British taxpayers are not in a great mood right now.
Very true. hospitals, adult social care, police, prisons and schools are all at breaking point here, and figures have emerged recently that show how cuts have caused disabled people a loss of legal aid in 99% (since 2011 I think) of benefits disputes.
All of the above does not make me think well of having my tax pay for yet another scrounger to be added to the royal retinue. The whole royal institution beggars belief in these times really.
@Oliphant, these cuts are made by politicians, not by the BRF. Its best to take up these issues and have them addressed by your local MPs in my opinion.
@masamf thanks for your opinion, mine is that I can be disgusted both by the politicians/government who make cuts and who also fund the BRF with tax payer money, and also with the BRF who profit from this insanely archaic institution. When neither you, nor your friends/family can afford homes, yet your tax payer money funds the upkeep of palaces and expensive trips abroad for the royals, it’s difficult to feel anything but irritation, especially for those who opt to join the BRF. Perhaps years of the Doolittles have made me bitter LOL
Meghan actually worked all her adult life.
I can imagine she can’t wait to do more work.
@Roe Exactly Meghan has worked she understands what the job entails. If she wasn’t up for it she would’ve had her fun with Harry and then ended it.
Considering that Hazza did not even pass his GCSEs never mind A levels, never had a career or full-time employment or career training, I’m doubtful about what inspiration and advice that he can give the “youth” of the Commonwealth (I’m a former youth of the Commonwealth and the royals were never inspirational; good for a gawk during state visits, but that’s all). Ms. Markle is educated and articulate, so she brings something to the table; she did say she wanted to hit the ground running; maybe they are taking her at her word on that.
Perhaps. Many youth in the Commonwealth with graduate degrees also wish they knew how to set up an international aids charity at 21and still have it successfully running 12 years later , or even how to establish an international charity for veterans that is widely respected by the beneficiaries and the countries involved.
I am just making the point that ‘smarts’ sometimes has nothing to do with how many GCSEs a person has, but rather how they use whatever little brains they have been given.
What charity did Harry start at 21? He was still partying wearing a Nazi uniform at 20 or 21! As far as Invictus, i’ve read here that he tried to start it and made a big mess of it so Charles sent his people to get it all right.
I believe Charles is a lot more hands on than Harry will ever be. Charles seems more interested in details and learning. Harry is the extrovert who waltzes in after the work is done, shaking hands and taking all the credit. Details don’t seem to be his thing, which is fine. The world needs all types. But I don’t think Harry is spending nights going over spreadsheets and details like I think Charles would. If William ever grows up, that might be his role, but I doubt it.
You do realise that Harry’s Prince title is what really helped him with setting up 2 good organisations. It’s not like Harry built the organisations from the ground up like many others do.
Actually, Harry started conceiving Sentable at age 19 with Prince Seeiso from Lesotho and launched it at age 21.
The Sentebale and WWTW garden designers admitted Harry kept calling them to check in, go over notes, and work on designs either while he was visiting Sentebale and when he was deployed.
Sentebale was in an absolute mess until Charles sent in some financial people to sort out the problems. Harry may have a good heart but let’s not pretend he’s a charity guru as per palace PR. He had a couple of good ideas and used the position he was born to and afforded him influence to set them up with others doing the hard yards that. There are many people in the Commonwealth who with ingenuity but NO influence who have set up a raft of initiatives very successfully. We don’t need to be lectured to.
No snark here, truly asking: wasn’t Harry’s years in the military considered his training/career? Surely that’s not discounted as fluff time?
If there is one thing I took away from Katie Nicholls’s new book, it is that Harry had to be extremely smart and driven to get to the level he did in the military. The technical skills required of that position are insane, and I don’t think William could do it if he tried. I can’t remember details (my memory is terrible!), but I came away with a much greater respect for Harry after reading that book. I hadn’t understood the particulars of what was involved in Harry’s role and once I did, my opinion changed completely, because he *is* typically described as “dim” but is far from it.
I think he didn’t do well in school because he was diagnosed with dyslexia after struggling for many years. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t intelligent. His technical skills and agility are amazing.
Agreed Lorelai.
There are a lot of things he does that get no attention but I don’t think he cares. He was serious about the military and liked it.
He was in the army for 10 years, and is a qualified Apache Pilot. Whey denigrate him so casually.
They write him off so casually because they don’t have a clue about or want to know what it takes to become a qualified aviator, let alone a combat aviator. Maybe they think he’s too stupid to be an officer, or have a natural affinity for technical jobs, or be a bit courageous to voluntarily go into a war zone. They don’t care to know that he had to pass strict aptitude and physical tests outside his normal officer training, and meet the mental demands of being responsible for millions of dollars/GBP worth of equipment and other people’s lives. They write him off so casually for any number of reason despite not knowing him personally because 1) they just don’t like him, 2) they don’t like Meghan, 3) they don’t like the BRF, or 4) maybe all of the above. I’ve never been a big fan, but I give him his due as a capable soldier who took his job seriously and served his country honorably and without hesitation.
@ Olenna
Hear, hear!
@Olenna, @Scottieisback, imqrious2 and @Cafe Lady, great, great posts my friends, thank you. It amazes me how much SOME people diss prince Harry just because. I am a RN (went back to college at 44yea) but I will never, ever dismiss a plumber as someone stupid just because they chose that career path, or maybe they didn’t do that well at the academics. I value my garbage collector and I have hats off for this person as its a job that requires a lot of pizzazz to accomplish (read “the suitcase killer” and learn how a man working at a landfill helped solve 2 homicides). I have utmost respect for my road works personnel, the housekeeping personnel at my hospital, the maintenance personnel and last but not least, the men and women in uniform who, if it wasn’t for them giving their lives or some giving parts of their bodies, I wouldn’t be free to sit behind this computer and gossip about prince Harry. The point I’m trying to make is that NOT everyone in this world was created to excel at the academics, to think and imply so is just plain uninformed and just ignorant.
One can become an officer in the British military without a college education?
Kelly, yes. You go to Sandhurst. All Sandhurst graduates are officers.
Many successful people in the US (a lot of people in Hollywood) never went to college or took the SATs (university entrance exam). We don’t have GSCE’s in the US but that’s the equivalent of a high school diploma. Harry spent a significant amount of time in the military, that’s where he chose to continue his education and to make a career. Just because you don’t have a diploma of higher education does not mean you aren’t smart. People put way too much stock in diplomas. I have a master’s degree but I don’t go running around claiming to be better than my MA-less peers. If anything I wish I had waited to get my MA because I probably would have changed fields.
If you think learning to fly an attack helicoptor doesn’t involve job training I don’t know what to say. Harry worked his butt off to become a member of that specialized unit.
He did have full time employment. He was in the army for 10 years. And served two tours in Afghanistan.
I think it is very unpleasant to keep referring to Harry’s lack of academic qualifications considering what he went through as a teenager. I am sick of this dim Harry narrative. You do not need multiple qualifications to be able to influence, motivate and engage with young people. Harry IMO is getting better and better at delivering speeches and he could learn a lot from his father.
I think Meghan might be one of those people who hates to be idle, which I can sympathise with. But it’s fantastic that the RF clearly think she’s capable of handling these events and and are showing that. They wouldn’t shy away from saying “She needs to ease into royal work slowly” if they thought it was necessary like before.
The easing into work excuse was only created for Kate. They did not do this for Sophie, who had kept her job for a bit nor did they do this for Diana, who was in her early 20s and managed to do engagements and have young children.
I agree. The BRF clearly feels Meghan is capable; I suspect they will trot her out as much as she submits to.
I agree, i think she’s genuinely going to love this position/type of work.
It’s more work than usual for new royals.
But anyone who understands how the Commonwealth works and the work they do will realise that this new UK/international role is a fantastic one and more than Meghan could ever have imagined as a humanitarian and aspiring philantrophist. I predict she and Harry will love it. Meghan in particular will relish the interaction with young people, influencers and high profile political leaders. The international aspect of their role will hopefully keep them out of W&K’s home patch for a good bit and reduce potential conflicts.
I’d love to know what the role of commonwealth youth ambassador entails. It sounds to me like justification for H&M to go on lots of holidays to New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Botswana etc, all paid for by those respective governments. I see why it would appeal to the royals but don’t know what those countries are supposed to gain by their visits.
@Polly, don’t they go to these countries at their invitations? I don’t know, but I’m guessing that the countries invite them etc. If they don’t want them there they won’t visit, its that simple.
If you have ever accompanied the royals on a royal tour you will certainly know that its is not a holiday for anybody, and everyone is relieved when things go without hitch and its back to base. People only see all the glamour on the surface. Don’t get fooled by all the glossy pictures of them smiling in the sun.
I don’t know either, I’d bet that countries are ‘encouraged’ to invite them in many cases. And I don’t doubt that people behind the scenes put a lot of work into these tours, but the royals themselves don’t need to do much considering how much they’re compensated (and as we’ve seen, some can’t even be bothered to read their carefully prepared briefings). I don’t dislike the royals, I just honestly don’t see how their visits benefit anyone except themselves in modern society.
I think Meghan deserves more credit, I don’t think she’s being blindsided or anything. I think she genuinely loves charity and philanthropy. She’s been active on that scene for years and years, she’s not like Kate doing it out of obligation or show. I actually believe she finds it truly rewarding and fulfilling. Of course she knows what she’s getting herself into. It doesn’t frighten her, why should it? She obviously has a gift of connecting with all types of people.
Interesting how much they both seem to share a drive for Diana’s charity/humanitarian work ethic- a recipe for success, IMO. I think they will be tight for a very long time.
+1000
She may love charity and talk about it, but there is no evidence she ever did much of it or ever got her hands dirty.
Yeah, but you do know that she does charity work away from the media glare, right? After her second visit to Rwanda for World Vision’s water project she hosted an art charity event in Toronto that raised $15000. Does’nt sound like much. But that money built three more wells in Rwanda for people who appreicated the help.
I don’t believe evidence of what she did before her engagement is even relevant any more. It’s not going to change most people’s opinions of her. She and Harry will be married on the 19th of May, 2018. After that, her schedule of activities involving charities will be available for public scrutiny and, from the way she has conducted herself thus far, it will be a given that she puts in more hours off the books in order to prepare for her engagements. If she turns out to be a slacker or goldbricking housewife, then so be it but I don’t see that happening. As others have said, I don’t believe she’s the type to be aimless and idle.
+1000
I guess they are young compared to the Queen but the far side of 35 doesn’t say youth to me.
How is 36 the “far side” of 35?? And Harry is only 33.
I agree; Beatrice and Eugenie have wanted, begged to be involved, why not give them a shot as well. Let us see if they are serious about wanting to work and they are under 30.
They need to take that up with their Uncle Chuck it’s not Harry and Meghan’s fault. They’re not working royals they were never going to be working royals, Andy needs to realize and let it go.
That won’t happen if Charles’s rumored plan is true. They are out permanently as working royals, but not free of royal obligations. Makes no sense.
“By law, Counsellors of State include the Sovereign’s spouse and the next four people in the line of succession who are over the age of 21” (official website of the British Monarchy)
PGTips won’t qualify until 2034, CC until 2036. I don’t know what happens if Philip pre-deceases HM. Beatrice might be moved up if that happens, and she is required to return to live in the UK at that point.
Currently: Philip, Charles, William, Harry, Andrew
For Charles: Camilla, William, Harry, Andrew, Beatrice.
If Andrew passes before 2034, Eugenie becomes a Counsellor.
Andrew’s daughters have a legally-defined role, even if Charles cannot get over his dislike of his brother.
Whoa whoa,the Yorks gals never begged for anything it always the press putting words in their mouths, I think thier current unoffical role they get the best of both worlds that way.Btw beatrice did attend #CHOGM2018 events today a forum and a pitch at place event. The princesses also will be at the Queen’s dinner for #CHOGM2018 on the 19 it s possible we might see them in tiaras
Also I’d like to point out PC never said anything about sliiming down the monarchy it was always tthe Press talking about a slim monarchy it was never officially stated anywhere nor did it come from his mouth *shrugs I always think he would let things happen orrganically lets face a lot of the older world who work for HM arent going to ne around forever.
When Charles asked Andrew to take on more royal duties he decided becoming the UK trade ambassador was more lucrative. Charles didn’t ask twice. Andrew realized the repercussions far too late and Beatrice and Eugenie will pay the price. Eugenie, especially, would have been fantastic as a full-time rep for the crown, imo.
Thanks for your input. Don’t know why I’m being attacked for my opinion.
They’re younger than many of the other working royals, most of whom are pensioners, so that means they get the gig. The UN’s Young Global Leaders cutoff is at 40; you have to be nominated and accepted before age 40. But they don’t appear to kick you out as you age, so you’re still called a Young Global Leader.
The citizens of Commonwealth nations are already sick of paying for Royals visits, now these two are going to be popping up every 5 minutes across the Commonwealth to holiday and to “work” a little on the side to justify their visits. I can see people of these countries getting even more fed up and I can also see people of the UK getting fed up too if they are not putting in equal effort for causes within the UK. So good luck to them.
Thank you! Another great observation. These are rapidly changing times; it is not personal, but there is no real justification for all of this.
Exactly! This commonwealth ambassador role for the youth is utter nonsense. It’s basically an extended vacation where they cut ribbons, hug a few poor kids and look on rapturously at whatever song and dance routine said kids will have to put on for them.
As a member of the commonwealth, beyond the games, i cannot think of any substantial impact they have made in my life as a citizen. It is an outdated institution that they are trying to put on life support post brexit. It’s too little too late, the commonwealth countries have made a lot progress in the meantime and the UK’s influence have largely dwindled in favour of China or India.
As many as there are that hate the royals, there are even more that love them. As many as there are that are calling for republicanism, there are equally as many if not more that want the monarchy to stay and not go anywhere. I hear some claim that once HM passes all countries will go republic, I say don’t count your eggs before they hatch. You’ll be surprised at how many people don’t give a flying fig for republicanism, the US has taught us that much.
I dont hate the royals, i cant wait for the royal wedding and for THE DRESS.
However, the commonwealth is a no longer relevant to the ex-colonies. It’s barely a blip in our lives and most countries simply haven’t bothered to resign to avoid embarrassing the UK.
Plus, I find the white saviourism of a couple of royals who’s “going to do such great work” really patronising. It reminds of an article a few years ago, where the British bragged of the aid given to India, only to be told that Indian never wanted it in the first place and it was just a covert way of “bribing” India into buying a fleet of english jets.
We’ve moved on, so should the UK.
Not to mention the hypocrisy of ROYALS promoting equality. They wouldn’t exist if there wasn’t a class hierarchy.
There’s going to be some big changes once the Queen passes. There is already tension within the Commonwealth because they don’t want Charles taking over?
I agree with the very first comment on this thread…. Meghan needs to use this to her advantage because they’re using her to appeal to the Commonwealth countries.
Why do other countries want to join the Commonwealth then if it is so awful and outdated?
@princessK
The only two other countries who wish to join the commonwealth are Palestine and South Sudan.
Both are “new” countries who are looking to cement their status on the world stage. They have also asked to join the UN for example. Thats it, no other country.
I get that your an ardent MM fan, which is fine, but let’s not overstate the importance of the institution just to boost her position in the Royal Family. These are two different things.
There is a reason why the UK is flogging this dead horse, and that’s brexit. It will allow them to be a big fish in a small pond.
@MrsBump….if you do a little more research you will find that there are quite a few francophone countries who wish to join. Also Mozambique and Rwanda are members but were never ex colonies. Gabon, Algeria, Angola, Burundi, DRC, Cambodia have all expressed an interest. It may interest you to know that France itself once wanted to join the Commonwealth!
Why imagine or think that I am making this comment to boost Meghan’s position in the RF?….Lol! Quite bizarre.
France wanted to join the commonwealth!!! Where are you getting this “research” from?? The French already have “la francophonie” of which my country is also part of.
Currently the only two countries whose application is pending are the ones ive mentioned. Express a vague interest to join and applying to join are two different things.
Out of interest, is your country a member ?
@MrsBump….please DO some research….at one point France DID want to join but the idea was rejected.
For your interest my country heads the Commonwealth! 😁😜.
Ha, that’s probably why you are blind to what us the lesser members think of it. It makes sense now.
You are basing your assertion that the commonwealth is relevant because france considered joining and then the idea was rejected? Facepalm.
I’ll make it easy, the key word here is rejected.
As always, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
MRsBump….I know quite a bit about the Commonwealth, and people are somehow mistaking it for being a bit like the United Nations, which it is not. I am confident that the Commonwealth will survive for quite a long time with Gt Britain heading it because I doubt if any other member nation is keen or ready to take up the administrative responsibilities .
With the Woodrush scandal engulfing this government, the Caribbean countries of the Commonwealth aren’t so keen on Britain right now, tbh. Although, the Tories only see the ‘white majority’ of NZ, Australia and Canada appealing and hang everyone else. It will be interesting to see how Harry threads this particular needle.
I’m really appalled by the Windrush scandal, it’s absolutely disgusting. It’s good that the truth came out this week.. the very week the government and Royals are going on and on about the importance of the Commonwealth and its members.
Sounds just like Prince Andrews previous trade ambassador role. An official role that’s really just an excuse to travel and schmooze internationally. Also just Harry was named ambassador. Meghan is just there for support.
Yup. Just an excuse for exotic luxury travel. Meanwhile, the UK gets short shrift. Again. Freeloaders stepping up; after all they have the Cambs as role models.
And the Commonwealth countries will be forced to pay millions for their jaunts! Disgraceful.
Yes and yes.
We all know once The Queen is gone a lot of the Commonwealth countries will leave.
@hmmm…..Harry and Meghan are rich enough to enjoy exotic luxury travel and don’t need the Commonwealth for that. Many people have never experienced what a royal visit overseas is really like, you are adopting a very simple minded perspective based on the glossy photographs you see in magazines. Believe me.
Anne, Sophie, Edward do a lot of the Commonweath work now, and Anne has taken over Philip’s work with a Commonwealth tech and industry forum. It might be a sign that Charles wants to redirect those engagements towards his line.
Meghan knows what she’s getting into. She’s probably the smartest woman to ever marry into the royal family. She’s going to improve the gene pool tremendously. The question is whether they’re ready for her. She doesn’t strike me as someone who’s just going to be order around by a bunch of old white male courtiers who want to her smile for the cameras and pop out a few kids.
She curtsied to the queen. She is still an American.
She will have to toe the line, just like everyone else.
She will definitely improve that gene pool. But I don’t see her making waves, she seems eager to fit in and will do what she is asked to do. More than she is asked to do,
I think she’s going to try and push the boundaries a bit but in a respectful way. imo it’s not a “Meghan vs the firm” situation as the media and public puts it. Instead i think she’s going to try and incorporate ideas in.
I believe Harry has told her she doesn’t have to change too much and probably still wants to have around him the American girl he first fell in love with. Fashion wise she is already proving that she is her own person and I love her confidence. the trousers, the white coat, going without tights etc.
Kate was the only new bride they had to handle with kid gloves everyone else worked from the time their princes put the rings on their fingers. This fast paced it’s normal.
William was still holding onto his flying job so it was made clear from day one neither Will nor Kate will do full time (what ever that means) royal duties until he quits his job. He did so end last year and both stepped up.
It was their plan all along. It was said severally times. It’s just some people here who can’t deal with it.
Harry quit the military a few years ago to work… ehh nothing.
Things changed end last year for the trio when William quit his job and Philip retirerd.
William, Kate and Harry are now official full time. No excuses anymore.
Harry has no other job, he only has royal “work” so Meghan has no choice than to start as full time royal other than Kate back then. They just “follow” their husbands current job status.
Malta was a lie. The two years off was a lie. The idea that W&K were not supposed to be working for the last 7 years is Fan Fiction.
Edward and Sophie were not official working royals for the first few years. Regardless of Edward’s “status”, Sophie still did more than 200 engagements the years they weren’t even official working royals. While she was still running her business and nearly dying while giving birth to Louise. She did more in those years than KM has ever done any year, pregnant or otherwise. And Edward is no where near the throne.
William has refused to step up to his role for years; the 7 years worth of post-marital lies, promises, keen lies, etc. are tissue paper thin at this point.
William skipped about the military, nearly lost his wings at SAR, and got out years before his contract was up. It wasn’t being privatised for three more years, he could have stayed. But the US company taking it and starting to do oversight of operations? Unlikely to pander to the princeling who rarely showed up to work. William leaves, defaulting on 500,000 worth of training. Declares he needs another gap year to figure out his future.
Philip begged in his 90th birthday interview to retire. W&K shamed publicly but still don’t step up. They demanded Apartment 1A, kicked out Historic Royal Palaces, wasted 7 million by ripping out walls and exposing asbestos. News was put out that they were stepping up, going full-time, etc. He pretended to show up to the agro course but never finished.
Then he pulled his stunt with EAAA and announced that before anything was in place. Outcry about him taking someone’s job, the RPOs taking paramedic jobs. In comes the surprise donation from somewhere to get the bigger helo to shut up the critics. Another gap year to try to get enough flight training in him so he could be a far less than part-time co-pilot. Article from his co-workers about Throne Idle Willy never showing up to EAAA, while he wasn’t showing up for royal work either. Where he was, nobody knows, but he wasn’t working either of his jobs. William insider installed as head of EAAA to shut up the critics.
Philip’s health and official retirement announced last summer finally having some impact, more talk in the press that now they’ll finally step up. Jokes about how Katie Keen will be pregnant again soon. Jason spins them “stepping up again” and hey look, now she’s pregnant again so no significant work out of her until March 2019 if that.
It has always been William’s plan to do the least amount, and sure, he’s following through on that. Continually amazed that anyone can defend them at this point.
Volunteering at MOD rehab three days a week, Walking with the Wounded, Sentebale, and Invictus are nothing?
The flying job that he rarely turned upto that he nearly lost his wings for lack of keeping up required basic flying hours? FYI, basic flying hours are 15hrs PER MONTH!!!!
7yrs later, we can all see that it was their plan all along except that they behaved as if the plan was to start working immediately, and *force majure was keeping them from working.
*Nota outlines some of these force majure excuses.
So much energy expended coming up with excuses as to why they couldn’t start working each year whilst insisting that they were very keen to start working and private secretaries were being instructed to fill up diaries.
How many events has Harry done since he got engaged? Maybe 2 without Meghan? She did, what, six?
I don’t understand why people don’t look at who people tell you they are and believe them. Harry may have a big heart, but doesn’t have the work ethic to go along with it. 8 or 10 events since November and the public supports them? Paying 35 million for wedding security?
No wonder the plebes are getting restless.
There are ways to accurately check how many assignments Harry has done. FYI it is far more than 8-10….
Actually, it’s a good PR move. The royals are losing popularity in some commonwealth countries, ie Australia, NZ, Canada among others. To have those two promote the commonwealth while the Queen is still alive is smart and might help to keep the above countries through Charles’s reign. After that who knows?
Yup.
For the commonwealth to be taken seriously it needs to be a progressive institution and fair for all of the 53 nations. My main gripe about this new position that was given to Harry by the Queen is that it screams of nepotism. Time & time again we see royals being parachuted into top positions they are simply not qualified to do, e.g. Prince Andrew being made a trade ambassador. The commonwealth is filled with many talented individuals who have the qualifications, education, experience and the vision, but how many of these individuals are considered for top roles or are lucky enough to have positions awarded to them by their grandmother?
It seems that the royals and by extension the UK government view the commonwealth as an extension of the monarchy, where there is hereditary rule and an attempt to maintain the status quo by keeping the other nations in their place. There is currently a lot of heated discussion about the head of the commonwealth position. I don’t think Prince Charles should automatically inherit the role, bu it should be awarded on merit and rotated between countries.
We all know things will decline once The Queen is gone!
Very good post @All About Eve, 100% agree.
Tobey McGuire sounds like the biggest d-bag and I hope he doesn’t get any more work.
Does no one else find it hypocritical for members of the Royal Family of the UK, basically the APEX of the class system, to be talking about the important value of equality? I mean, come on.
Lol, that’s Royalty for you.
Some are more equal than others?
Natalie S, if that was the case, you wouldn’t drone on about Kate taking up taxpayers money all the time.
I do think Meghan will have a big reality check at some point, as anyone would. It’s not a criticism, it would be a big adjustment for anyone. However, she is also marrying into extremem pivilege and it’s important to remember that. I do think she’s a fame seeker and that’s kind of what you need to be in this role. Kate also enjoys the spotlight, but in a different way. Not sure why Kate was rolled out so slowly and Meghan is hitting the ground running.
imo she’s already going though that adjustment period since there are activities that she simply can not do anymore. Plus i am sure the negative comments are getting to her. Going from a small fanbase to the royal fandom would be a lot for anyone. I am sure she will be fine after time goes on.
I do think that it’s fair to say that Kate’s and Meghan’s personalities are a big reason why their introductions have been different. I happy that they didn’t try to overload Kate.
I think it’s unfair they didn’t.Kate is a British citizen,She spent 7 years following Will around and knew what was going to be expected of her.Hell,William even said in their engagement interview that she was prepared yet all we have gotten for the past 7 years is a bunch of BS excuses on why she cant work much.
Meghan is an American and is going to be marrying into a completely different class.The person that need to be eased and given time to settle in the most is Meghan not Kate.
If the British chick can get 7 years and counting to “settle into her role” I would hope the same consideration is given to the American but nope,Meghan is the one that isnt allowed to make any mistakes
@Sadie Yes, they have such different personalities! I think Kate enjoys the dressing up and smiling part, but less so the interaction and scrutiny, she’s not extroverted at all. I’ve always sensed that something was going on behind the scenes with Kate, she had a very hard time the first two or three years. With Meghan, I think she’s going through the initial adjustment period as well and seems to be jumping in the deep end and handling it very well. BUT I think a lot of people throw themselves into the deep end of something and realize later that the anxiety and pressure is crippling, this is common for doers. There is something to be said for pacing yourself. To think she’s planning a huge wedding on top of changing countries and cultures, leaving her friends and family behind, and starting a brand new job. Again, it would be a lot for anyone! I think I’d be having multiple panic attacks.
@ladida That is a good point! Hopefully she will mentally take care of herself because the first few years are going to be tough. I can’t imagine leaving everything that i have known to be thrown in a world that has many constrictions. And she seems really close to her mom, i hope she can still keep that support system.
You know, i always sensed something was up with Kate as well. Like Sam mentioned, William said that she was prepared but I don’t she was. I just think she had (and i am sure still does) have a hard time getting over her shyness and nerves over public speaking. I do wish that she would contribute more but I do like that she’s improving at her pace…I just wish the pace was a bit faster haha
Kate is lazy and should have worked much more than she did and should still be doing much, much more. She should also be a much better public speaker than she is. Kate want to just dress up like a Barbie doll, but not do any actual work. It’s disgusting. She is so ill-suited for her role it’s not even funny.
In a Constitutional Monarchy, the royals have great freedom to choose the type of day-to-day work they do. We’ve written before how multiple members of the BRF have said you set your own schedule, pick your own work, etc.
But don’t forget, royals are employees of the taxpayers and instruments of government. When the government says, “Go there” they go. There is no point in criticizing these two for taking on Commonwealth responsibilities. No, they do not get to rise up in protest, be conscientious objectors, and refuse to do the job the government tells them to do.
When Mary and Fred were sent to Saudi Arabia, it was because the Government of Denmark sent them there. When the BRF are sent to the Commonwealth or Commonwealth events, it is because the government of the UK wants them there. If the governments of individual countries in the Commonwealth didn’t want the royals around, they wouldn’t keep inviting them.
I can hear the faux screams of outrage now. If bi-racial feminist Meghan Markle doesn’t refuse to do anything with the Commonwealth, she is colluding, failing, and personally responsible for every evil thing ever associated with the Commonwealth. Along the lines of the faux screams of, “If these two were really humanitarians, they would be married in the registry office, but they’re having a big wedding so they are evil.”
To which I reply, pffft. Get over yourselves.
Royal weddings are big events because that is what the government wants. W&K got away with the pretend semi-state event, but they were still required to have a public event, have it televised, the whole shebang. This wedding at Windsor is smaller, but still a public event (crowds, televised) because that is what the government wants. Whatever their reasons.
The BRF are involved with the Commonwealth because that’s currently what the governments and the majority of the populations of those countries want.
As long as more people put up with royals than don’t, the UK will continue to have taxpayer-funded royals.
As long as more people put up with royals in the Commonwealth than don’t, certain member states of the Commonwealth will continue to have the BRF monarch as their defacto head of state.
I expect some of the big ones to peel off when HM passes (Australia, Canada), but not all of them. It is up to the people in those countries to vote out the royals. Until they do, it is the royals job to show up in the Commonwealth, participate, do whatever charity work is considered valuable, etc.
@Notasugarhere, I love your post, can I marry it please? 🙂 And don’t be to fast to predict any of the bigger nations peeling off of the commonwealth after HM passes, they might surprise you. They MIGHT opt for republics but not necessarily opt out of the commonwealth.
Thanks! I didn’t write that part clearly. I don’t expect them to leave the Commonwealth, merely to stop being Commonwealth realms. Dump the royals, but stay in the big economic club.
If Charles is not chosen as the Head of the Commonwealth that can cause huge problem.
No it doesn’t. LAK has detailed this on here before. The head of the Commonwealth of Nations is not a hereditary position. Most of the countries in the Commonwealth do not have the BRF monarch as their defacto head of state. There are 53 countries in the Commonwealth, only 16 of them are Commonwealth realms ie. have Her Majesty as their head of state.
Charles might want the role as head of the whole thing, HM might want him to have the role, but no crisis if the members of the Commonwealth pick somebody else. That doesn’t have any bearing on whether or not HM remains the head of state / sovereign of the 16 Commonwealth realms.
@nota, I have noticed you like to be right about everything.
Clarifying what appeared to be your confusion between 53 Commonwealth nations vs. 16 Commonwealth realms is a problem?
Well Nota is correct though, it is a factual statement. We can argue all we want about whether MM is a great unicorn or the opposite, or whether Kate is a waity whose parents plotted to get her married to William or that they are simply in love. These are opinions. What Commonwealth is, is not.
Nota is very smart and always has her facts correct. I disagree that Canada will ditch the royals after the Queen dies (bc literally no one there wants anything to do with constitutional change and they will put up with the royals forever to avoid it) but I’m sure Australia and Jamaica will become republics. The one major country that is a mystery to me is NZ. They seem more royalist than Australia, but I’m not sure whether they would be willing to go through the palaver to get rid of the royals.
(Also, why would anyone want to be a republic as opposed to a parliamentary democracy? No offence, but the US is a dumpster fire and France is not much better. I’d take the likes of Sweden, Japan, etc.)
Ireland is a model that many could follow without significantly altering many countries. In fact Canada could just call the GG the president and since they both have a ceremonial role, the Parliament could continue as is with the PM running the legislative branch and making the executive decisions. While Canadians generally don’t want to change the constitution right now, who is to say that the younger generation won’t want to, especially as they are far more diverse and less tied to the UK than previous generations.
@Tina – to be honest with you, the way how Britain treats its members of the non white Commonwealth (in terms of travel, residency, deportations, etc.) has soured the nations of the Caribbean against the Motherland for some time.
Theresa May’s government with the Windrush scandal right now (in terms of deporting people of Caribbean descent from Britain to countries that they have no link to) and her snubbing the Caribbean leaders (only for the government to be shamed into it by Lamy and 140 other MPs) , and her cloth-eared treatment about this so far will only have hardened attitudes
Re: a Republic: France and Germany have one. The problem with most of the Commonwealth countries is that they seem to have the two-party government, FTTP that plagues us over here in Britain. Right now, we have two Brexit parties in power, and two extremists at the head of each party (one extreme left, and one on the extreme right). If we had one vote one person instead of the first 10k votes wins a seat, we would be better off, tbh. I’m tired of voting tactically (Labour – and they are now a Brexit party so I can’t do that) instead of voting Green (party of my heart).
So yeah, a Republic doesn’t mean ruin. But one with electorial colleges and FTTP does.
@dodgy, I certainly don’t disagree with you about the Caribbean countries and the Windrush scandal. TBH I’m surprised that more of them haven’t ditched the royals already.
There’s no perfect political system, but I do actually think a parliamentary FPTP system is better than the alternatives. Look at Germany -how long did they have to negotiate to even get to a government after this past election? You’re right that a republic doesn’t have to mean ruin, but most republican systems are flawed in some (IMO major) way. Nic919 makes a good point about Ireland, although I do feel its constitution is flawed (8th amendment anyone) and the process for amending it problematic.
I can’t imagine wanting to marry into this institution in a country that’s not yours, never to vote again for a presidential election. She’s had such freedom all of her life, and this life is so different and stuffy. I hope it doesn’t affect their marriage down the road. Their love will have to be strong to make it all worthwhile, the tediousness of being a royal.
As with all the other foreigners who married into royal families, the new country becomes your new country. Maria-Teresa of Lux, Maxima of the Netherlands, Mary of Denmark, etc. Many of them were career professionals before marriage, embraced their new countries, and thrive in their royal roles. It isn’t a death knell, end of freedom, or horrible existence, especially if you are a fully-formed, confident adult when you marry in.
Honestly, I couldn’t do it.
And that’s the beauty of Meghan being Meghan and the rest of us being……well us. 🙂
Makes so much sense why other girls didn’t want to marry Harry or William. Same goes for the other Royal houses. When you have wealth and social standing, you have no need for the whole Royal way of life.
Colonial nostalgia.
So does this appointment mean Harry and Meghan will never work in the UK, they will just be in the Commonwealth? I hope not. I hope this is not a ploy to get them out of the UK so the Lamebridges don’t have to worry about being shown up on home turf. I want Harry and Meghan to do lots of work in the UK.
LOL.
You guys do realize they are the next duke of york in essence which they may get a lot of attention now and ocassionally when they have child, but once the novelty wears off , thier work like,Anne, Sophie, and even Andrew wont be mentioned as much by mainstream press s unless you look for it. To be honest she seems like person that needs to do something so It may not bother her as much
i wont hold my breath for them though since has PHs numbers never been high his 90 your old grandpa used to put him to shame. They may seem like thier doing lot but really its not that much Meghan I can excuse for now PH not so much
Royal work is not supposed to be high profile. It is supposed to be consistent, local, and meaningful at the local level. The big events are supposed to be the exception, not the rule. That is another holdover from the Diana era, a negative one.
What i mean is probably a lot of people commenting now wont be here in two years so to speak