As we learned last week, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be getting their own office/household/court in the weeks and months to come. We knew that the Cambridges and Sussexes would be splitting up their offices, but we didn’t know (before last week) that the Sussexes’ office would be located in Buckingham Palace, and that they would answer to the Queen’s communications office. We still haven’t gotten confirmation either way about separate Sussex social media accounts, but as I said on Friday, I don’t see how they could avoid it. I really do think we’ll see @OfficialSussex or @SussexFrogmore or @RoyalSussex Instagram and Twitter accounts launched right around the birth of Polo Baby.
Alongside last week’s announcement, there’s been a lot of commentary about what this means and whether the Sussexes will have more or less independence, and whether this is a good or bad thing for Brand Sussex. There are also questions about whether Harry and Meghan will be free to build “Brand Sussex” locally and internationally now. Sources tell the Times of London “not so much.”
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle are itching to set up a global “philanthropy brand” without the pesky oversight of the royal family — but the Queen and Prince Charles have put the kibosh on their plans. Instead, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will set up an official household of aides and staffers within Buckingham Palace, under the Queen’s watchful eye.
“They wanted their household to be entirely independent of Buckingham Palace, but were told ‘no’,” a royal source told the Sunday Times of London. “They can’t just go off and do their own thing.” Their new offices will be separate from the household of Prince William, which the brothers have shared up to now. Officials insist that the break is a sensible change for siblings with different royal responsibilities.
But the Sussexes’ ambitions are sparking conflict at London’s refined annual Chelsea flower show this week, where Meghan and Harry are sponsoring an ecology-minded African garden that’s stealing the spotlight from a rustic English installation designed by sister-in-law Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge. Kate’s “Back to Nature” garden features a treehouse, a waterfall, wild strawberries, and a campfire where children can toast marshmallows. The “African climate change garden” presented by Camfed, one of Meghan and Harry’s top charities, boasts solar panels, an advanced irrigation system, and drought-resistant crops. The royal family has intervened to keep Kate’s design from the glare of her in-laws’ glamour, ordering the charity to keep Harry’s photo out of their publicity materials for the event.
Is there any drama quite like FLOWER SHOW DRAMA? Stuffy British peeps getting melodramatic about thunder-stealing at a flower show is… well, quite on-brand for British people. If you throw in a story about someone running off with the vicar’s wife (their affair began at the flower show, clearly), this story would be the latest hit show on the BBC and BBC America. Anyway, I do think the palace probably intervened with the Chelsea Flower Show thing because before now, I didn’t even know that the Sussexes had sponsored an installation, but I have known about Kate’s installation for months. Because she was so keen about it! Thunder-stealing!
As for the larger story about how the Sussexes wanted to do their own thing completely separate from any royal oversight… I have the feeling that this story is a lot like the “Meghan demanded that the Queen give her THAT tiara and Difficult Meghan made the Queen cry!” stories. In that all of those stories are bullsh-t. Meghan and Harry understand where the line is – they know they can’t go completely away from the royal operations. Their goal was never to be completely separate from royal operations. Their goal was to be completely separate from the Cambridges. THAT is the story.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, WENN.
Their goal was to be completely separate from the Cambridges. THAT is the story.
I completely agree and for valid reasons on both sides.
But how do you know that is the story? If I was Meghan and getting dumped on by everyone I might be looking at how to set up the means to do my own thing.
I didnt want to mention it but I am friends with the sister of a friend who knows the cousin of a child that had a play date 30 years ago with Jessica Mulroney.
Its just a best guess based on limited knowledge.
Yeah, I reckon they might have made a play for complete independence gambling on their close relationships with the Queen and Prince Charles for support. I would have loved to see it but the Royal family would never have allowed it.
This Palace source sounds like more sour grapes out of Camp W&K. I think it was a conflating of two idea that have been floating around for a year. Them getting a Household separate and away from William plus the idea of them setting up an outside charity like Sentebale.
Regarding the supposed drama over the flower show I honestly don’t think this has anything to do with Kate because there has been a long tradition of royal affiliated charities at the chelsea flower show and this year is no different. As I understand it there are certain guidelines that all charities must follow. CAMFED wanted to use a picture of Harry surrounded by young girls to promote its garden exhibition. However Harry had nothing to do with designing the garden & isn’t their patron so the charity were told by the RHS administrators not to use Harry’s picture in their promotional material. It might sound harsh but rules are rules.
There was also no reason for Meghan’s name to be dragged into this story because she also had no involvement with the camfed garden. This entire story just seems like another attempt by the media to write more articles about duchesses at war!
+1
You beat me to it Redburgandy. I was going to write the same thing.
This. CAMFED had someone design the garden, Harry and Meghan were not involved (unlike his gardens for WWTW and Sentebale in previous years). It hasn’t been promoted as a Harry and Meghan project because it isn’t. But Harry and Meghan are associated with CAMFED, so a fuss is kicked up on a slow news day.
The CAMFED garden and design were announced in November, two months before Kate’s garden announcement.
I would imagine the BRF intervenes every time someone tries to use their image to promote a project in which they are not involved. This has nothing to do with Kate, it’s about protecting their brand and reputation.
True Redburgandy, the Queen, Harry, and Meghan had nothing to do with designing the garden. BUT The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust is a financial supporter of CAMFED. Queen is Patron of QCT, Harry is President, Meghan is Vice President. Harry met with members of CAMFED on a trip to Zambia in November. That may have been when the photo was taken. Logical to include a photo of him, as he’s President of the Trust that helps support CAMFED.
I don’t believe this story. Seems the British media have to just keep inventing stories to get those clicks. Cause of course, it’s evil Meghan once again leading Harry astray. I believe there was also an article about how Meghan was “a failed Hollywood actress”. And how does one of their charities presenting an exhibit at the flower show translate to HM going rogue and trying to show up Kate’s exhibit?
One can only imagine the nonsense that gets made up and reported once Meghan goes on maternity leave and disappears from the spotlight for awhile.
Every time a major announcement happens with Meghan, there’s a rush to put out negative stories. It’s been happening since the Together cookbook project was announced.
Every story about Harry and Meghan becomes more and more ridiculous every week. These leaks are all so petty and ridiculous. How dare the Sussexes want to get away from toxic people. I think one of the biggest mistakes Harry made was staying in Royal Family when he knew he wanted to leave. It may have been hard giving up the luxuries, but I believe he would have found his way and had a more peaceful life.
I have thought for a while the Harry and Meghan’s long term (est. 5 years) plans probably include leaving the royal life. How anyone could withstand it, and now with all the backlash they are receiving, it’s what I would do. Build as much financial security as possible, cement relationships with powerful people outside the royals, and split.
While this is a popular fantasy from some (fans and antis), he cannot leave without changes in laws or permissions. Legally he cannot leave certain responsibilities behind.
Harry is a Counsellor of State and will be for decades. As one of the Counsellors, he’s required to live in the UK to advise the monarch and act in their stead if needed. It is the first four people in the line of succession who are over the age of 21. As long as W&K’s eldest is underage, Harry is also required to stick around to be Regent if anything happens to William. Otherwise the regent would be Andrew. Hell no.
That’s why Charles cannot shove Andrew off to Switzerland permanently, because Andrew is a Counsellor. Beatrice and Eugenie cannot be cut off completely either. If HM and Charles both died tomorrow, Harry, Andrew, Beatrice, and Eugenie would become Counsellors to William.
Leaving would remove all protections the Palace and government provides, so they aren’t going anywhere. Staying and being protected is better than the free for all against them that would happen if they left.
Very informative!
But does Harry actually have to act as a Councillor? Or is it expected and then add Andrew the Perv, and he will choose to stay around? And Harry lives free, in houses renovated by taxpayer dollars and all the other benefits of being a royal as far as finances go.
I think Harry and Meghan would keep their fame if they left, but not their standard of living. Would they really give that up?
Yes, he is legally required to be a Counsellor as is Andrew. They would have a fine standard of living based on his bank account, but would be hounded all over the globe. Left unprotected without the Palace to battle the racist trolls online 24/7. This online fantasy that they should pick up stakes and quit is just that, a fantasy. One that comes from both supporters and antis.
@notsugarhere, glad you’re posting. Have a question, is there a reason The Princess Royal wouldn’t be included in being a counselor to William?
Thanks. Anne is too far down the line of succession. The change that came with W&K’s first child isn’t retroactive. Anne and her line are after Edward and his.
Counsellors now are Charles, William, Harry, Andrew.
When Charles is king, it will be William, Harry, Andrew, Beatrice.
When/if William is king, if his kids are under 21? Harry, Andrew, Beatrice, Eugenie. Even once W&K’s three kids are over 21, Harry will still be the fourth Counsellor.
If Harry & Meghan did want their own separate court outside of BP then they are both delusional. There is no precedence for a non-heir to have their own separate court.
It was bad enough when William & Harry broke away from their father at Clarence House. It seems like their egos & self entitlement are getting the better of them.
The split was planned months in advance and the Queen approved. How do these reporters know what the Queen vetoed when it was announced just this week that the Queen approved the split? She clearly has much love and respect for Meghan and Harry. This is nonsense.
@Florianight
👌 👌
I believe this cause its from The Times. Unlike the Fail and that con artist Nichol. 😒
Valetine Low and other Times reporters have always been fed goss, reaching it’s height during the Diana years and her sanctioned friends spilling.
It’s odd to me how every negative Harry &Meghan story is always jealousy, Middleton machinations, Billy Boy plotting etc
The Times is also the same outlet who came up with the tiara story and changed significant details after they initially published it. They’re not reliable. Their reputation in general has taken a hit recently.
It’s also what we were initially told would happen over and over. H&M were going to have their own office funded by Charles at KP. As in the same situation that Will is in. That’s why BP came as a surprise. They were never expected to be overseen by anyone. It’s quite clearly what they wanted and why an office in Windsor was a no go. I’m not even sure why this is considered new news. The only part that’s new is the Queen putting her foot down about it.
The Times is owned by Murdoch who also owns Fox News. They are not as trustworthy as you think they are. The Times has lowered its standards and is now producing a lot of tabloid-style stories.
The Times was just rated the second least reliable newspaper and published a story that Samantha Cohen was quitting as part of the “Meghan is a terrible boss” narrative when they’d just published a story last year that Cohen was only supposed to be temporary.
@Amide Here’s a long thread in wake of the Christchurch terrorist attacks showing how The Times (grouped in with the likes of the DM, Sun, Express) has been been pushing an Islamophobic agenda for some time now and publishing blatantly false articles. Sure this is the paper you want to have confidence in?
https://twitter.com/miqdaad/status/1107561136759758848
Agreed. It’s silly. Of course the sixth in line isn’t going to get his own court. That was never going to happen. Yes, they’ll get some sort of social media presence but that’s it. The BRF does not want to become a celebrity attraction no matter popular H&M are in America. That’s not how it works.
As I wrote above, the source sounds like sour grapes from within the W&K camp trying to make trouble. Two ideas that have been discussed for months on here being smashed together in a leak. One that they’d get a separate Household away from William and Two that they might set up another outside nonprofit like Sentebale.
@Magnolia, they already ARE a celebrity attraction. Which is why we’re all reading about this on a celebrity gossip site.
Yeah, no, not buyin’ it.
So Evil Meghan is now trying to upstage Kate because… one of her and Harry’s charities has a garden at Chelsea? Like you I’d had no idea abiut that until now, but promotion for Kate’s garden has been everywhere. Lots of charities have a garden at Chelsea, don’t they? I can’t imagine that Camfed is the only one with a royal patron that’s there.
I don’t believe this. This is just another way to keep the narrative going that Meghan and Harry, specifically Meghan are trouble. That’s she strong, independent and difficult. I don’t know who these reporters think they’re fooling because they’re so obvious and many can read between the lines. They seem almost angry that Harry is moving on and growing up. It’s bizzare. Ever since that people story, they’ve effectively lost the narrative they’ve built. Its like they’ve been working overtime to get it back and they can’t.
They’re fooling the people who want to believe it.
Interestingly, re: letting Harry move on/grow up, Piers Morgan came out with an article about a week ago, complaining how Meghan has transformed poor Harry from the playful prince, to a “squeaky clean, kale munching…fitness freak”. She’s ruining him, etc.
Fortunately, it wasn’t covered here, and doesn’t seem to have gotten much traction overall.
Someone needs to grow up, but it’s not Harry…
I kind of love how their biggest criticism against Meghan is that she made Harry a healthier person. Maybe she did, or maybe he’s older and wants to take care of himself more – but its not a bad thing even if its all bc of Meghan.
Harry as the rascally, wayward younger brother has been the press narrative for so long that they’re outraged that he’s firmly moving on from it. He’s given them some “great” headlines in the past with his actions and he was always a good foil for solid, mature William. Whoever Harry married was always going to get poorer treatment by the press, but there’s a distinct bitterness in the (frequently racist) coverage of him and Meghan. I think their first moment of disbelief was when he struck back at them for their nasty headlines in revealing the relationship in 2016.
There is a strong confimation bias with H&M. If you like them, you think the Queen is giving them their own office and free rein, cause the Queen and Charles hate W&K and want Harry to be more popular than they are. If you don’t like H&M, you think this is the Queen slapping H&M down.
If you are objective, this is the natural progression as the heir and his brother grow up, and both will now have families. William wasn’t going to share KP with Harry much longer, regardless of whether he loved Meghan or despised her. Harry and Meghan would never, and will never, be given free rein to work on their own brand using the name and power of the royals and the money of the taxpayers. It would cause outrage, and just isn’t done.
Andrew and Sarah were very popular, probably more than Charles and Diana for a time, but as Charles had kids, A&S got less and less support and thus, less attention.
No one threatens the brand of the future King. No matter how much Grandma and Dad like Harry – they have a monarchy and future monarch to protect. And the Queen, who has spent her life in duty to her role in the monarchy, isn’t going to let Harry and his American wife threaten that.
Oh thank goodness someone speaking sense about this. William will be King. He, Kate and family are more important to the monarchy than Harry and Meghan, who are bankrolled by British taxpayers and thus will have to toe the line. Like any of them or loathe them – they are the plain facts.
The logical progression of Harry moving under BP is not threatening the future of William. William does that on his own.
Harry and Meghan are senior royals and will be for 30 years. They will soon be 33 percent of the working royals. All working royals, including H&M and W&K are funded by the taxpayers.
@notsugarhere I enjoy reading your posts.
Thanks, Mia.
It is unlikely Harry’s kids will be working royals, if Charles follows his own slimmed down plan. It would be the main line, just William and his kids. That would be the case even if William and Harry got along like gangbusters.
Charles hasn’t cut Andrew off from being a working royal, just Beatrice and Eugenie. Andrew did 394 engagements last year. Once Charles is king, he can start trying to directing traffic Harry’s direction and away from Andrew. Fewer foreign trips for Andrew, more for Harry. But all royals set their own schedules, arrange their own work. He cannot cut Andrew off from being one of his Counsellors no matter. If organizations keep approaching Andrew personally and asking him to show up, he shows up.
William could try to minimize the work Harry and Meghan do as official engagements. But who is going to do all the engagements and trips? Because we all know W&K don’t want to work that hard. If W&K refuse to work more and their kids are underage or as workshy as their parents? The government will take back the majority of the Sovereign Grant funding.
If organizations kept approaching Harry and Meghan, they’d be free to do whatever charity work they want. Prince and Princess Michael of Kent are not official working royals, nor are Beatrice and Eugenie. They all still show up as patrons of different organizations.
HM protected Andrew and Edward by getting them decades long leases at Windsor. She has done the same with Harry and Meghan. No matter what manchild William does, Harry and Meghan are set in their new home for a very long time. Whether or not they are working royals.
I’m not as skeptical as everyone else. I bet that while they’re not dumb enough to literally say they want to be independent as possible, they do (for good reasons) and they are acting like it. They probably did ask for a myriad of allowances that would let them do their own thing more and more, because who wouldn’t? Why shouldn’t they try their best to separate themselves from a bunch of problematic throwbacks who have totally failed to advocate for them over the last few months? To me, the fact that a “royal source” went out and gave quotes validates the approach the Sussexes are taking, and more power to them. Literally.
Don’t believe any of this. Why go rogue when Charles and the Queen are funding their new household & precedent has been set with his aunt and uncles? This is more hogwash from the British press to make it seem like Meghan is leading him astray and they have to be reigned in or out in their place. It’s annoying. As for Camfed, the Queen is their patron. Not Meghan or Harry. The Sussexes are not coming for Kate’s garden.
Yeah I agree. Plus I think this has been been overlooked: but now any PR move or statement on behalf of H&M will have the cover of being approved by the Queen. It provides them protection and sanction from the monarch from here on out.
Good point, MA.
Loool sounds like some people at KP are pissed.
Just a few weeks ago,the press were still saying their office will be based at KP.That announcement blindsided them and now they are scrambling,acting like Harry and Meghan(Harry who has been a royal all his life) doesn’t know their place
kp said that in a press release not the media
Or the announcement blindsided the untrustworthy at KP, who had been the ones leaking to the press against Harry and Meghan. The plan to set up a separate Household vs. separate office but still under William’s control? Could be that info was kept close to the vest to try to out the leakers. Or for HM and Charles to placate William until the final change was made without his knowledge, which is another story.
William would have known about the split and approved the press release. As we have seen the brother feud is definitely real. I think he most likely wanted Harry out just as much as Harry wanted out.
We’ve seen the constant leaks coming from KP against Harry and Meghan. William has thrown his brother under the PR bus for 20 years, but he won’t be able to any more. The fan fantasy of William being the protective older brother wanting to make sure Harry has cover? LOL.
This move was approved by HM and Charles, and W&K can no longer take credit for Harry and Meghan’s shine. Now W&K are sink or swim, the only ones covered by KP and PoorJason.
Yeah it’s really interesting. From the official announcement about the Frogmore Cottage move to the pictures of Meghan meeting with the new KP hire, it seems like some people were caught off guard by the switch to BP. Pretty sure it would’ve leaked weeks ago if more people were privy to the Sussexes’ plans.
I don’t understand the thinking, cause the new PR person Meghan met with is staying with KP, right? Why would MM have a strategy session w him if she and harry knew they were moving within months?
I think Harry and Meghan may have been blindsided by this, too.
Maybe she wasn’t happy after that meeting?
Agreed with Becks1; sometimes you have a meeting to feel someone out and you don’t like what you’re hearing from the other party. Perhaps that meeting and his subsequent approach to the job just didn’t mesh. I will note that I think it’s funny how people (talking generally) used the new hire’s pro-Brexit history to criticize Meghan when those pictures came out, yet it’s been radio silence now that he’s confirmed as remaining with the Cambridges.
And to that last point, NONE of the KP staff are going with the Sussexes. It’s a clean cut and a fresh start. I sincerely doubt those two were blindsided…quite the opposite in fact. They’re getting their own staff and they’ll be dealing with a better run system in BP. KP already had a shoddy grasp of operations when it was just the Cambridges and Harry; it’s gotten even worse now that Meghan’s joined them.
It’s a good scenario for everyone: the Sussexes get to have their office away from KP and the Cambridges get to have KP to themselves. Everyone should be happy with this new arrangement. Why there’s so many attempts (in the press and on social media) to attack the Sussexes for this move is quite curious.
They do seem weirdly mad, as do a lot of the Cambridge stans. But why? You’d think the split would make everyone happy
I believe some of those people are not actually Cambridge stans, but are simply Meghan haters. Lauding the Cambridges is just their way of hiding the fact, maybe even from themselves, that their interest/obsession is driven by anger and bitterness, as that’s never a good look.
It would be interesting to look at how many are just now ‘supporting’ W&K versus how many before Meghan’s arrival on the scene. This is not an attack on W&K, as they certainly do have people who like and support them. Its just been interesting to see the change in the behavior and anger/rage of some of these so called supporters.
Yes this is true, you can see this all over social media. So many comments that are disguised as pro-Kate but really are jabs at Meghan. In fact, these so-called fans talk much more about Meghan than their so-called faves, and are even more obsessed than Meghan stans lol
What the hell is an African garden?
Seriously?
If the Sussexes want to work independently, then they should support themselves independently. Can’t have their cake and eat it too.
Binge watching Midsomer Murders has taught me that English gardens are v v serious.
Deadly serious.
Haha
ITA that this is all about them separating themselves from the DoLittles and not the main RF – its become obvs that the KP team are biased toward W&K.
The flower show drama is hilarious and poor Duchess of Keen didn’t want a display she ‘allegedly’ designed to be ‘outshone’ by a charity supported by the Sussex’s. Its sad that the charity was told not to use them in their PR, someone is feeling insecure about her ‘work’. And looking at the mockups/drawings I think I know which one I would be more interested in viewing.
It really is sad. The whole point of having famous patrons is to increase donations to the charity. From what I understand, this flower show will be attended by a substantial amount of people, and CAMFED isn’t even allowed to do business as normal bc Kate’s feefs might be hurt? Literally a picture is enough for her to feel upstaged. Girlfriend needs to either retire from public life or get herself some more work because the drama she’s causing is now hurting an important charity.
I still don’t think it has anything to do with Kate—I think CAMFED is pissed that the Royal Family rejected them using a photo of Harry in their program materials, which might have implied he had something to do with the garden when he didn’t.
+1 Ahoyoy – IF, and a big IF this is true, it’s really terrible. Again, what’s the point of being part of the QCT if you can’t boost attention for your charity via connection to its patron, president, or vp?
No. CAMFED isn’t allowed to use the photo because Harry didn’t design the garden. It’s the RHS’s rules. Kate wouldn’t get her picture either if she hadn’t helped to design the garden. Only people who designed the gardens are allowed pictures. Then someone from CAMFED blamed it on KP and Kate being insecure.
Ainsley, it’s hardly within the RHS’ purview to dictate to a charity how they go about promoting their projects.
MA, you’re right. If KP or the Queen or whomever it is, keeps tying these charities’ hands in this manner, they will just go out and get celebrity backing, like EACH did when Kate failed as patron. Have that happen too often and people will really start to wonder what the point of the monarchy is.
The best thing Kate can do for herself is to have one more kid and retire from public life until it’s time for her to be Princess of Wales. She’s just an embarrassment and her growth as a professional is happening too slowly.
It doesn’t make sense. CAMFED is supported by the Queen’s Commonweath Trust. Queen, Harry, Meghan are all part of that. Harry met with CAMFED members in Zambia last November. Perfectly reasonable to use a photo of one of their patrons – from his visit to them – in their garden.
The Chelsea Flower Show sells out every year. None of this will make any difference to the RHS. (Somewhat bizarrely, the most lucrative fixture from the RHS’s point of view is the Monday evening reception, when every private equity and hedge fund person in London goes there, networks and pays no attention to the gardens whatsoever). If I were CAMFED, I’d keep well quiet and ask Harry to help to design a garden for them in the future (he’s helped to design a CFS garden in the past, for Sentebale).
@Ahoyoy The RHS is who holds the flower show. It’s very much in their purview as they make all the rules for the show. If CAMFED wants to use a photo to promote their garden unofficially on twitter or something they can. They just can’t use it in an official way because Harry didn’t design the garden. The Queen and KP have literally nothing to do with it. The rule isn’t new and applies to everyone.
Where in the official guidelines does it state no photos of patrons?
The Royal Reporters didn’t even know that they were setting up shop in BP so how would they know Harry and Meghan’s original plan got vetoed? Meghan has no connection to that garden event, I know Harry did one years ago.
I agree that I think this is about wanting to be separate from the Cambridges. Harry knows how these things operate; he knows he’s not going to be able to have a completely separate office that just does its own thing all the time.
Re: the flower show, what someone said upthread about the rules for promoting the gardens makes sense. It seems like the kind of thing where nothing malicious is actually happening, but you can look at the facts (harry’s charity wants to use him in their promotion, were told no, Kate’s garden is getting a lot of publicity) and make assumptions about the underlying story, even if those assumptions aren’t true.
I’m finding nothing in their Exhibitor Guide for 2018 that would prohibit the photo. Cannot find their Exhibitor Guide for 2019.
Gee you have a lot of time on your hands
Gee, a quick google search and read takes less than two minutes.
They also said that the palace asked them to refrain from using the photo in their promotional materials, not the exhibit itself. So not only is Kate’s drama affecting their ability to promote the show- and thus garner donations, it’s affecting their marketing initiatives. It’s definitely time for her to retire to ‘raise her children’.
Wow you really do have a lot of time on your hands. This is likely a totally made up story that you are taking way too seriously… it seems you are very quick to dismiss any negative story about H&M and going out of your way to try and ‘prove’ a negative story about Kate. I mean Meghan is my fave of the young royals too but this is a bit much.
Oh, another RD escapee? There’s someone on here insisting RHS guidelines state they cannot use photos of a patron. A two minute google search and nothing stating they cannot use a photo of a patron in an exhibit or pamplet comes up in the guidelines. Took almost no time at all, less than it took you to post about me posting. SMH
This confuses me, the flower show is in late May. I changed a trip to Italy because of GOT and it worked out to stop in at the flower show. I have tickets to attend and unless I woke up in a weird time warp, there is no flower show ongoing.
If they want complete separation, shouldn’t they just cut ties with royalty altogether? They want the benefits, the money, the perks, but no accountability to anyone. Just a blank check for them to do what they want. I’m sure they’d do great things, and I get wanting to separate from Will and Kate. But unless they actually go get real jobs to support their lavish lifestyle, I sort of cringe at all their demands. But that’s if this story is even true. A lot of crap thrown their way, especially Meghan.
The term “Brand Sussex” smacks of “Brand Beckham.” They are supposed to be representing the Queen, not selling themselves.
This Story sound realistic. Only because it’s from time of London. They will check because we know the young royal send their lawyer after journalist all the time so they will check. In my opinion, Meghan see this position as a way of being the ambassador she tried to be after college. The only think now is that someone is paying her bill so she doesn’t really get to do what she want. but i’m sure they will find a way.
Yes, the same Times who reported the tiara story and then went back and made major changes to it for some reason. The same Times who was insistent that they had the first and most accurate reporting (Roya’s been so defensive over her “scoops” on Twitter) until suddenly their reporting on the split was wrong.
+1 Beach Dreams The Times that has shown blatant bad faith when it “reported” that Samantha Cohen was quitting to feed into the Bad Meghan narrative when it had just months earlier reported that she was a temporary hire
I posted this already upthread, but here’s a thread with just a few examples of how The Times pushes a racist and xenophobic (specifically here, Islamophobic) agenda through false, inflammatory reporting.
https://twitter.com/miqdaad/status/1107561136759758848
Forgive me for not understanding the big deal, shouldn’t they have separate offices anyway since Harry and William will be doing drastically different work (and with William eventually becoming king)? I don’t understand the drama, it seems like a given.
I think this is probably not too far from the truth. The idea of House Sussex being separately run from Windsor/Frogmore was even discussed on here – so H&M pushing for it is not too far outside the realms of possibility.
And then when the Queen/Charles said no (presumably as there is already a precedent for non-heirs) I imagine H&M were more than happy to come under the BP umbrella – no fuss, no drama, no evil Meghan as the tabloids would have us believe.
I’m surprised so many people are having a hard time believing that they would try asking for the same relatively independent set-up they had at KP as a first choice. Likewise, Meghan comes from an industry that’s huge on branding and knows how to publicize charitable work in a “modern” way, and, well, I think she’s a very particular person when it comes to a lot of things (not a negative, but I do think she likes to be fully in control of her narrative and it must have been a hard adjustment to be under the Royal family’s press arm). It was clear from their engagement interview that the Sussexes had ambitious plans for themselves. That’s why I was worried they were essentially being leashed by being brought under BP.
You should know that it doesn’t suit the narrative that Charles rushed to free them from the horrible “dolittles”..
yeah that’s the way i see it. She was in total control of her “brand ” on how she presented herself on her blog and social media so i’m confused as to why no one think she would try to do that now. The different is now someone is paying for everything so she can’t just do whatever she want
Why some people don’t think Meghan asked for a KP-like independent PR team is because those of us who acknowledge her intelligence and ability to adapt to her new family and it’s hierarchical system do not take her for a fool.
@Olenna: Uhhh… no one is calling anyone a fool, here. Considering Meghan still employs outside PR firms and used to work with a PR person who specialized in charitable activity, it’s not unreasonable to think that she’s trying to integrate those types of strategies into her new life as she and Harry carve out their roles. She is intelligent, ambitious, has a vision, and likes to be in the driver’s seat. Don’t forget that a bunch of her early PR during the engagement was centered on the idea of her modernizing the Royal family and how she was determined to do things her way/remain the same person. It’s not a knock against her and it doesn’t mean she doesn’t respect the Royal family.
@Lexa, pardon me for being indirect. I didn’t mean to infer you thought she was a fool. I was addressing the OP’s “narrative” issue.
There was a funny story on Twitter, wondering why if Harry is seventh in line to the Throne and and of no importance in the Royal family, why did most of the newspapers (50th anni investure) put The Sussexes, on their front pages, when the Queen, Charles and Willian were also present.
I agree. Shouldn’t all of the media attention be directed towards the heirs and their wives instead of Harry and Meghan? Today I saw more news and photos of Meghan at the christening than I did of any official royal event over the past couple of days. Charles and Camilla are on a major royal tour, and it seems like not many people care.
Most of the front pages I saw from that event used the photo where all of the royals were pictured together in one frame.
No one doubts that Meghan is the shiny new toy, but Harry or William on their own don’t generate that many front pages.
It’s going to always be about not showing up W&K with Meghan being thrown under the bus when it happens. The only way to be truly independent would be to leave The Royal Family.
Love your last paragraph. This is all about getting away from KP. There is no evidence of them wanting an independent brand. This is pure speculation and gossip because the article makes a point to say when reached out to confirm, BP and KP have declined to comment. Just the usual gossipmonger hard at work with the expressed intent of dissing the Sussexes.
This “story” is a reach by the press to discredit the Sussexes. Harry is the president of the Queen’s Commonwealth trust and Meghan was just name the VP. They are, obviously, a global brand. I believe that QE2 has given them these titles because she understands their global appeal. There are 53 countries in the Commonwealth. 2.4 billion people. Harry and Meghan have “brand” and QE2 recognizes their importance. Time will tell, but I think the reorganization of offices will greatly benefit the family. The British press takes any story they can and spins it so they can create a narrative that is simply not true.
You raise a good point. Every time there is some sort of promotion for H&M, there’s immediately some sort of campaign to put them in “their place.” The Commonwealth roles, exclusive trip with the Queen on the Royal Train, 2 prestigious patronages from the Queen, etc. It’s clear from these promotions that H&M are more important than their detractors would like.
The stories that came out after Thursday’s announcement have been interesting. The amount of spin being attempted (“The Sussexes want to be rebels!! Concerned William sought Philip’s advice because the split was his idea!!!”) over this move is so blatant it’s pathetic. Even that idiotic garden story that KP apparently rushed to deny…quite curious.
I read somewhere a few years ago that Harry was thinking about leaving the royal family after his military career. After a serious talk with his grandmother, he decided to stay and support the crown. Harry is inherently wealthy on his own. He inherited 8 million from his mother and 18 million from his great grandmother. Meghan net worth is about 5 million. I believe the Queen is looking at the long game. Charles is not as popular as William. He is going to need Harry and Meghan to keep the RF popularity on going during his time as King. I think Harry believes his role in the RF is to the legacy of his heritage not just to his father and brother. It only makes sense that Harry and Meghan move their offices to BP away from KP. Harry knows that his role is going to be more like Anne’s as time goes on. Once William becomes King and his children get older Harry’s role in the RF will become less needed. I can see Meghan and Harry spending more time in the US or Canada working on their own endeavors. I’m this day and age all you need is wealth and connections to do good work around the world. In the U.S. You can make difference in the world and no one has to know you are doing so.
These stories of Harry wanting to peave are nonsense. He lives in the lap of luxury by doing minimum work, they all do. No way would they give it all up.
If harry has no desire to live this life, he likely wont accept the HRH title for his children, but i bet he will.
All thw Royals just show up to charities, cut ribbons, smile and shake hands. Theyre just decoration.
Harry may have wanted to leave at 18, but a talk with the Queen and the legalities of the situation would have changed that. He knows his duty.
Royals have a role to play and can use that role for the greater good. Charles has the Prince’s Trust. Harry has created significant projects including Sentebale and Invictus Games. The cookbook Meghan initiated has raised loads of money and keeps that kitchen open seven days a week.
William and Kate? Less than the bare minimum.
That CAMFED garden story is messed up and if true, extremely petty. What’s the point of being part of the QCT if you can’t leverage the publicity of its patron, the Queen, or H&M (resident, or vp)?
I’m not sure yet if I believe it. But again, if true, it just reinforces what we already knew—charity is ONLY a PR tool for most royals, if they didn’t need to do it most of them wouldn’t care to do anything at all. How unfair and messed up for CAMFED, whose garden isn’t just a vanity exercise.
I also find it interesting that KP chose to specifically deny this story. Interesting that in the past year they’ve only denied the stories that made Kate look bad (Kate snapped at Meghan and now Kate doesn’t want to be overshadowed by another charity)
It’s actually very believable. Roya Nikkhah also reported about the split and she has some good sources. I think they wanted the same level of autonomy as W&K and this adds up to the rumors about wanting to have the staff based at Windsor.
I believe the first plan was to keep temporarily separate staffs at KP as it was initially reported,then it was sorted out as a permanent move in order to avoid other changes when William becomes PoW.
But evidenty they didn’t want to be put under the BP umbrella. In some way this version also gives credence to those old stories about the Queen and BP aides not being happy with the way M&H were handling on their own her father situation since the wedding.
I really doubt Harry having been raised and steeped in British royal protocol wanted to have the same footing, staff, importance and autonomy as the future King. He knows the ropes just like everyone else. Harry has never given any indication he wants to be treated like the top boss and equal to William. I don’t think your reporter knows as much as she likes to think she does. Another one talking innuendo instead of fact.
It’s amusing how some people are acting as if Harry wasn’t born and raised with the full understanding that he is the spare. It reminds me a lot of last summer/fall where lots of people on this site were talking about Meghan ‘breaking protocol’ and yet they couldn’t give details when asked for the specifics.
I think its believable that they may have wanted a similar set up to what they have at KP, just separate from Will and Kate, but the way this is written – “entirely independent of Buckingham Palace” – that just rings false to me. Harry knows the drill.
Yes, Harry has always known the drill. And roya nikkah doesn’t, she’s grasping at straws.
Nikkah was already on the list of RRs who are biased against Meghan before this article. So, no; I don’t think she got the transition (not split) story right. Try a more measured and mature voice like Dickie Arbiter or even his daughter, Victoria, if you want to put more than casual thought into how and why this move was planned and executed. His interview is here:
https://twitter.com/sunriseon7/status/1106307570493345792
@becks1 “I think its believable that they may have wanted a similar set up to what they have at KP”
Yes,I think that was the sense,but the way it’s written gives it a more sensationalistic spin.
Now if only the Brits had as much passion when the vote was up for Brexit!!
Oh for heaven’s sake. No one here in the UK cares at all about any of this royal nonsense (if anything, it’s a distraction from the real issues). We have far more important things to care about, had passion in the 2016 Brexit vote, and have passion now.
Kate’s answer to the cookbook…everything is riding on this. British Media will go crazy over what ever she presents.
They really, really will. They are desperate for something big, flashy and showy from the DofC.
That and the early years initiative, which still sounds vague. Wasn’t that supposed to start in early 2019? It’s almost April.
I read somewhere the other day that Kate’s visit to the nursery or wherever it was (when she wore the backwards blouse) was part of her “ongoing” early years initiative. I thought, hmm.
Good for the Harry and Meghan for moving their office out and I think working under the Queen’s supervision is very smart. If we believe some of the conspiracy theories (there are so many) that some of the nastiness towards Meghan in particular but the Sussexes in general came from the Will and Kate as well as from Charles, then I assume the Queen stepped up to say “enough” they will come under my office and I will ensure they are protected from internal attacks and allowed to grow their brand with her guidance and blessing. Everyone in the RF represents the Queen and all of them would do well to remember that. My own personal opinion is that some of the nastiness started with jealousy from the Yorks when the pregnancy announcement came right on the heels of Eugenie’s wedding. Andrew has been promoting the Yorks for years and this was their big moment, only to have Meghan’s BIG news overlap with the wedding celebrations and the several days of parties that followed. What a shame they can’t all get past their egos and concentrate on representing HM the Q humbly and graciously, the way the Queen has always behaved. Childish nastiness is not a good way to represent the Queen or anyone else.
It’s odd to refer to ‘flower show drama’and that it’s on-brand for Brits. It stereotypes them and minimizes them. Imagine saying this about Indians from India, or African Americans. If you comment that it’s impossible to do so because they are white, I’m expecting it. Because it’s impossible to stereotype white people. That’s why it’s fine to stereotype rural white Americans, right? Fire away.
They better worry about Brexit and help the British people understand what is at stake. The doings at the palaces is so petty in comparison to what will happen to the people of Britian under the Brexit plan. All the newspapers tabloid and otherwise need to put their energies in making sure Britons understand what is at stake and how their futures will be affected. The royals will be okay which ever way it go.