Before all hell broke loose with the Sussexes’ announcement on Wednesday, I had been low-key wondering when Meghan and Harry had actually returned to England. There was no publicity, fanfare, reporting or paparazzi photos of the Sussexes arriving in England or leaving Canada. Now I think I know why – it was not some big production, and it looks like they really only flew back to England for a few days, and they headed back to Canada last night. As it turns out, they knew their stay in England would be brief, so they… left baby Archie in Canada!
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle recently returned to England — but their 8-month-old son Archie wasn’t with them. PEOPLE understands that Archie remained in Canada while the couple flew to London, where they made their first appearance of the new year at Canada House on Tuesday to thank the country for hosting them during their holiday getaway. Meghan, 38, and Prince Harry, 35, plan to return to Canada and reunite with their son soon.
It is believed that Archie stayed with Meghan’s close pal Jessica Mulroney, whose three children served as page boys and a flower girl in the couple’s royal wedding in May 2018.
Omid Scobie confirmed that the Sussexes flew back to Canada (Victoria, to be exact) last night and that Archie was chilling with Jessica. That’s a whole-ass mood: Harry and Meg flying in for a few days, dropping a giant “SMELL YA LATER, LIZ” and flying off back to Canada. It’s even funnier because Harry and Meghan announced this big thing, set their terms in a well-made website list, and now they’re not even attending the meetings where all of this sh-t will get hashed out:
Queen Elizabeth is calling for an emergency meeting in the wake of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s shocking announcement that they plan to “step back as senior members of the Royal Family.” The Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William have united to tell their offices to work “at pace” to find a solution to Meghan and Harry’s desire to step away from frontline royal work. They have asked their teams to work with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s office and governments on both sides of the Atlantic on the issue.
“The Queen, the Prince of Wales, and the Duke of Cambridge have directed their teams to work at pace with governments and the Sussexes’s office to find workable solutions and this is expected to take days, not weeks,” a royal source tells PEOPLE. It’s clear that the monarch, 93, wants to get to a conclusion quickly. “This has moved from shock and a range of emotions to something more constructive,” the source adds. “It is complicated. This is happening very quickly. And the proof in that is the fact that this will take days and not weeks.”
The palaces need to “talk openly with governments” both here and across the Atlantic, the source continues. “People are trying to work fast through these complicated issues in order to find something that works for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.”
Discussions are focusing on funding for the couple and their team, security and protection, and whether they will have official residences. And then there is the question of what kind of roles they are hoping to fulfill on behalf of the Queen and, if so, whether that includes foreign tours. The governments will be consulted on those key issues, too.
I already thought that I knew Meghan’s boss moves, but this takes the cake. They cause this HUGE commotion, and now they’re letting everybody else deal with the fallout. Just so! Those are the people who refused to have Harry and Meghan’s backs this entire time, so why shouldn’t they have to deal with the repercussions? Sit there and stew in your own engorged sense of entitlement, palace courtiers. Of course, I’m sure there’s someone from the Sussex staff in the meetings too. Perhaps even a Sussex lawyer and a Sussex accountant, just to make sure?
(Minor update: we know for sure that Meghan returned to Canada last night, but Harry might have stayed in England to attend some of these meetings.)
Photos courtesy of WENN.
There’s a terrible part of me that thought “thank god, that way the men in grey can’t somehow hold the kid hostage ” irrational I know, but these people still believe their privilege comes from God and not blood, slavery and murder so …
Jess Dweck (who is so fantastically funny everyone should follow her) tweeted:
“Look if Harry and Meghan wanted better treatment from the Queen they should have flown to Canada in Epstein’s plane.”
I’m dead.
OMG I will follow her for that comment alone
Hilarious! And true. I think history will view this announcement in the close context of the protection HRH gave the pedophile. And M and H will be seen as the true work trailblazers who brought down the monarchy. Di would be so proud!
Ooh, that is killer.
I see no lies there.
!!!
“Nothing more relatable after the holidays than realizing you need to quit your family” i needed to read this today. Spot on. Lol
Me too Snazzy! She’s got some great Trump burns on there too.
Hilarious! Thanks for sharing!
just read some of her tweets and re-tweets. Thanks for introducing me (us) to this wit!! Grateful
heading over to follow her. that is some class-A snark.
Oh Fark. XO Wow.
That is so funny it’s sick!!
I said in many Kaiser articles, since that ghastly mess started, that their first and only real priority was Archie. MM looks like an extremely protective mother.They wouldn’t permit the poor toddler to face all the s**it they did when he had to go to school.
And no matter how old and absurd and out of place and ridiculous… you name it the rule is. The queen/king has custody of the direct heirs children. Harry is 6th on the line of succession. Too much close.
Yes I was thinking of the custody issue in that the child *belongs* to the monarchy.It’s actually scary thinking about what the BRF could have resorted too,I am so glad baby is safe and Meghan is there now.This is great gossip but also very serious for this young family.
Spicecake: I’m glad you can value how serious the situation is. Of course it’s a fantastic gossip, one in a lifetime. But it is serious. Very serious.
This is not a thing! Please stop with the monarch has custody of children nonsense! Any assertion of such would be immediately thrown out in court. The monarch does privilege from a series of legal loopholes but this is not one of them. Source: am a barrister.
@^Katherine,thanks for your comment,I value your opinion as a barrister.I still maintain that in this situation it was especially wise to have the babe and Meghan in Canada,so they can at least move forward.
Thank you @Katherine I hate when this talking point ‘ the Queen owns their kids ya know’ is used because it’s ridiculous.
Technically, the Queen has to sign off on everything. Because she is The Queen.
@ some chick she literally legally does not sign off on anything related to child custody. Or much else to be honest. Nor would there ever be a universe where that would be legal. Her power within the family is predominately traditional. And she herself has a certain legal conditions related to being the head of state. She’s not actually that legally powerful on paper. People bizarrely fetishize royal family traditions and anachronisms, but the vast majority of them are just traditions. Meghan and Harry could have taken Archie and decamped to Canada without any notice at all and never returned. And she wouldn’t have been able to do a blessed thing about it. Legally. I think she certainly exerts a huge amount of family power. And maybe this is what people mean by signing off on large family and PR developments. But I really wish people would come back to earth in regards to these ideas of what the royal family can and can’t do.
@SNAZZY Omg, I thought this exact thing. I was like “they’re worried the royals would take them away!” But that’s just crazy thinking….right?
https://people.com/royals/queen-elizabeth-does-not-have-legal-custody-over-great-grandchildren/
“…believe their privilege comes from God and not blood, slavery and murder…” that’s the same privilege H&M fully intend living off still. They ought to distance themselves from all blood money but then all he’d be is an unemployed former soldier, nothing wrong with them of course, but they don’t have £30m trust funds usually.
You’re right, @grumpy. H&M wouldn’t have wanted to be financially independent if there hadn’t been this battle going on within the Royal household. They’d still have wanted their birth & marriage ‘right’ to live off of tax payers money and even if they become financially independent, the source of Harry’s trust find is dark, as it is with the private estates of all of the royals. The only one with honest money in all of this is Meghan.
I have been such a long time lurker of this forum, and a huge supporter of Meghan and Harry. But this was not a good tactical move for them, and being British I think it has only fuelled the fire for those who say they ‘they want to have their cake and eat it too’.
I’m sorry but it’s becoming hard to disagree. They’re alienating the country when they had a chance to make a real difference… everybody I know just sees this is as a power play and it hasn’t been received well in the UK (even by H&M sympathisers)
I agree. I still think this is a huge mistake on their part.
How is this their mistake if they are being told to plan for the day they are no longer needed as senior royals, then someone who they should be able trust leaks their plans to the tabloids? Some of you are just looking for more reasons to dislike the Duchess of Sussex, and it’s not a very intelligent look. If Harry had done this as a single man, what would you have said then? That’s a rhetorical question, by the way, ’cause y’all are transparent as glass.
I like both of them and I’m glad they’re getting out of this gilded cage. I do think they should have made a clean break without expecting any financial support. They’re multi millionaires and I don’t see why they would need or expect it. The one expense I’m torn on is security.
The funny part is that so many people have so much to say about this week’s statement but seemed to have lost their voice about the sustained bullying campaign that started in 2016. The Sussexes did not release statement in a bid to have their cake and eat it too. They released the statement because once again someone from one of the other Royal courts colluded with a tabloid to undermine and intimidate them. Talk about that. Talk about the incessant bullying that lead to this. Talk about the profound silence from the British Royal Family. Talk about HM The Queen who is ride or die for nasty Prince Andrew but is a frail 93 year old when it comes to defending the Sussexes. Don’t just pretend they woke up and said oh we are gonna blow up our life for sh*ts and giggles. Additional info for you: https://medium.com/@pngwrites/the-profound-silence-b362ae009c54
I don’t know, I think it could still go both ways. Initially it felt like a great idea that they would be financially independent. If that were really the case, I think after the initial shock had worn off, British people would love them. One of the biggest gripes Brits seem to have is the cost. The fact that they’re a symbol of oppression doesn’t seem to matter.
It looks upon reading more though, that H&M are actually only cutting themselves off from the £2.5 million Sovereign Grant, which is small change. They still want security to be tax payer funded, through the Met and costs of that look to exceed the money they’re giving up, if they’re going to split their time between here and Canada. If that happens, they’re not going to be making themselves very popular.
I don’t think they’re all that bothered about how the public are viewing this anyway. It doesn’t seem to be a conscience thing due to living on tax payers money, while families are struggling to feed their kids. It seems more like a personal issue with the Royal Family and cutting that £2.5 million is a loophole for them to be able to live more freely without losing too many perks.
There seem to be two views on the financial aspect of what the Sussexes are trying to do. And basically, it hinges on whether they remain part time/minor royals still supporting the Queen and the Crown (who technically are their employer). Many people have the view the Sussexes should receive no money at all and become totally financially independent. And based on what I’ve read, they are quite willing to do just that, but it depends on what their employer, the Queen/Crown decides their future role to be. If the decision is, yes, you will no longer have any official Royal duties, then the Sussexes are cut off entirely and must be totally financially independent. IF, however, their employer (the Crown) says we want you to continue on as part time/minor royals and still support us and carry out official Royal duties, then that changes the financial arrangement. The Sussexes would receive funding from the Duchy of Cornwall (Charle’s private, non taxpayer money) to reimburse the Sussexes for their Royal duties. No one I know works for free and if their employer asks them to do work, then they’re compensated for it.
@standbyme – thanks for the link – very interesting.
I thought the exact same thing. They may have been worried about overly aggressive media or some RF rules about Archie leaving the country.
I don’t think Harry gives a flip about the appearances, public opinion and the family who threw his wife under the bus. He’s watching his made family be constantly ridiculed, racially targeted and he’s grown up with the same media who he feels killed his mother. Add all that up to his understanding that what his wife is dealing with now with the comparisons and nitpicking….soon to be directed to his son. He’s taking an action to give them a safe place to fall and not be a slave to the public. This is probably going to change more and more as time goes by. We have no idea what they came to the table with originally to the queen. She may have suggested this option as a start and everyone of course automatically blames her. She can’t win.
Don’t forget, what they published on their website may have been a work in progress which they were forced to release prematurely because of the leak. Who knows what the end result would have been if this didn’t bust wide open before H/M were prepared.
Tom Bradby gave an interview stating that Meghan and Harry were told the monarchy would be slimming down, and they wouldn’t be a part of it… I believe it.
They were told to come up with a plan and they did.
Liz, Chuck, and Bill just didn’t realize the title of the plan was called ‘Bye, bitch’.
I thought that was super interesting. So, all those pictures of the heirs over the holidays….it wasn’t just a message to the public.
I mean Charles has long said it would be slimmed down. But, without H&M, at least for the foreseeable future? I wonder if that’s the line about “financial independence.” Right now, they’ll still do some work for the crown, and as they do that, they will be supported by Charles to the extent required (so if Meghan attends a formal reception at BP, Charles pays for her dress. if Meghan hosts a fundraiser for their foundation, she pays for it). As time goes on, they will do less and less work for the crown, and be supported less and less by the Duchy/Charles, and eventually we will only see them at major events like Trooping and Remembrance events (on behalf of the crown.)
If they will see the family again. It’s the queen who gives permission for them to come to UK, even for visiting. And I don’t think the boot they received had a warm welcome.
@Becks1 your comments are spot on and I find myself agreeing with most of them. I have been grappling with the question…what does William really want that Harry and Meghan has? The obvious answer is charisma and global popularity but he cannot buy that is not entitled to that. What he is entitled to, he thinks is the title of president of The Commonwealth which would make duchess Catherine Vice President of The Commonwealth. I remember reading in a reputable outfit (can not recall where) that William was very angry when The Queen bestowed the title upon Harry and Meghan. I mused at the time that William will plot to get that those titles back in his court. As a Jamaican National, I would be very unhappy if William and Catherine gained those titles in the fallout. Just my two cents in all this very necessary drama.
Charles has slimmed down the monarchy. He informed his siblings their children would not be working royals years ago. Archie has no title and is a private citizen. No one intended for Harry and Meghan to quit or be forced out. The photos of the heirs is most likely a bad PR attempt to cover the Andrew mess.
@Mac – right. We understand that. I’m referring specifically to a quote from Tom Bradby about how they realized they were NOT part of the slimming down, which seems contrary to what has previously been said, but he’s pretty reputable.
I think from the pov of Charles, a ‘slimmed down monarchy’ was obviously for financial reasons. It seems to me that of all of the Royals, he seems to have a good understanding of what the average British person thinks about the Royals and most people have an issue with their cost. If they didn’t rely on tax money, they could be as big as they wanted.
I guess the concept of a slimmed down monarchy not including Meghan and Harry must have stung though, even if it wasn’t originally a personal attack and maybe their retaliation is this. The huge sting in the tail for the Royals is that if they do become financially independent, they’ll certainly be more popular and British people will expect other Royals to follow their lead. That means all the Royals will have to think carefully about their financial future… which means work.
Prince Harry is NOT the president of The Commonwealth. That is an organization of 53 sovereign countries formerly part of the British Empire, like Canada and Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. The Queen (whoever is the reigning British monarch, is the head of The Commonwealth). It is an honorary ceremonial kind of position. Harry is actually the president of a charitable organization called the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, which helps young people living in Commonwealth countries.
I’m hoping the offer to live in the UK 6 months out of the year was a negotiation strategy and they had lawyers present in the discussions. “If you want us here to contribute to the crown then we want to have a place to live, security and the presss to step down.” I’d be surprised if they do reach an amicable agreement.
This 1000%. When they realized that BP and KP were planning to throw them under the bus again, they were like, “deuces”. Good for them!
Ha!! I would love to be a fly on the wall when they finally decide to meet. What I would give to see those meeting agenda items… After what they’ve been through, and the great job they’ve been doing for their charities/patronages, I’d roll too.
A slimmed down Monarchy has always been on the cards but Charles always wanted Harry to be a part of that – I think its William that doesn’t want Harry to be a part of that slimmed down Monarchy. It was always about Charles and his family and he needs Harry as W&K are too lazy and unwilling to support Charles.
It’s never been about ‘what Meghan wants, Meghan gets’ but what ‘William wants William gets’!!! Neither Charles or TQ has ever stood up to William and his tantrums.
The picture of William supportting to the attacks of criticism got crystal clear to anyone who had eyes in good shape with that ridiculous picture at the hall of the airport with him, Kate, the kids and the suitcases, running to catch the plane like if they were a low middle class family on vacation, and didn’t exist a ring of security armed guards and domestic staff to go on board with them.
I agree that Charles would not have wanted Harry out of the “senior” royals. He has had his faults as a father, but it would be a monster move to keep one son in the “senior” position and kick the other out. I don’t see him doing that. And it would be a bad PR move and Charles has been pretty savvy lately.
Which is interesting, because once the Queen goes, who do they have?
Charles will make sure that Andrew stays in the shadows.
Anne will continue to do what she does.
There’ll be some support from the Wessexes.
The Cambridge kids will still be kids.
Everything will be on Charles, Camilla, Will and Kate. And the Cambridges have shown is exactly what kind of work ethic they have.
They are losing a major resource in Harry and Meghan. Charles might want focus on the heirs, but he’s not stupid. This is William.
@Belli – I agree with you and DU above. This is about what William wants. Charles knows he needs H&M.
Also, both Bradby and Omid made references to how now Harry and Meghan can work “without interruption” and at their own pace etc. They tried to make it sound like it was just about the red tape at the palace, but I think its more what others have said here for ages – they were being told to slow down bc of the Cambridges.
@Becks1
That could also apply to the Yorks and Charles. I’ve said it before but it was pretty obvious that some of the stuff that was printed about Meghan and Harry came from Andrew and Fergie as well as Charles and his biographer.
Yep!
I can absolutely see them being told they were going to be phased out, but not given any further details. So when they are stonewalled over the exact plans and timing, they decided just to leave on their terms. Why wait around while the “family” decides the best time to cut you loose? No thanks.
The plan was never to eliminate Harry and spouse. It was to eliminate the elders by attrition, Charles’s siblings (esp. Andrew) by attrition and pettiness. No cousins (Beatrice and Eugenie) brought in in this generation. W&K’s kids to be working royals, Harry’s not.
As I wrote yesterday. The Queen would not have given Harry and Meghan such high appointments if they were being removed as working royals. I agree, this stinks of Petulant William. You won’t do things my way, I’m demanding you be shipped out.
Love it. As soon as I heard she had returned to Canada I knew they had left Archie there, they wouldn’t fly that distance with him and then go immediately back (I mean maybe he’s a great flyer, but those time changes would have made my kids a total mess.)
I saw a theory on twitter that they went to the UK for promised meetings with the Queen and Charles, and when those didn’t happen, she left.
In general though Omid’s piece is just so…..calm. The tabloids were acting like Meghan and Harry were throwing tiaras at the Queen’s head. Omid makes it clear – this was being discussed for months, this is about H&M wanting more freedom to pursue their work, etc. It really seems that any anger on the part of the queen/Charles is because H&M made the announcement and didn’t let BP do it.
@Becks1, I agree about Omid’s article! As soon as I read it I felt this sense of calm, that in the end everything would be fine. It’s the getting there that’s going to be a sh$t show.
That throwing tiaras line is the best.
I still think they need to get rid of whoever leaked the info to Dan Wootten. While Harry and Meghan clearly have worked on this and had a plan to deal with the leak, all this excitement is because someone at one of the palaces ran straight to Wootten. The prime suspect is Christian Jones, communications director at KP. Coincidentally the guy photographed having lunch with Meghan before the household split and someone who didn’t go with them.
Christian Jones would not have the balls to leak his bosses private information to the press unless he knew he would not face repercussions. You don’t see one word about anyone questioning that even though the leak is what started it all. I wonder why?
If H&M had left it to BP to make the announcement, the narrative would be that they (heavy emphasis on Meghan) were being kicked out. They were not going to let that happen. Imagine Piers Morgan’s glee.
Whenever I hear that Piers Morgan has written another over-the-top, insane rant that basically is all about Meghan just not being that in to him — I picture him with one hand between his legs as he types. This guy has become truly unhinged.
Maybe they should have let them spin it that way. Remember the exile to Africa stories came out last Easter, so even back then, people at the palace wanted a reduced role for the Sussexes. What they don’t want is for them to use that extra time to build their own independent projects. They want them muted and idle, a human dart board.
I like that the website seemed to be done by the same designers/devs/marketing people who did the Tig. She seems to be someone who values long term connections. It was also a VERY nice website – that’s the kind of site that would cost thousands (maybe 5-10k or more, depending ) to have made.
One thing that I truly hope though, is that Harry is leading the charge. When it comes to family acting like assholes to your partner, YOU are the one that needs to deal with it primarily. A lot of resentment can build on even the best marriage when you have outside forces making it difficult. So I truly hope that most of this WAS Harry’s idea more than Meg’s. Although, at this point, she’s probably so sick of being considered a ‘bad guy’ when it comes to tabloids and the BRF that I could see her being like “well, they already think I’m taking you away, lets actually move”. Not in a mean way, but in a ‘well, if that’s the game they’re playing’ kind of way.
@Erinn “When it comes to family acting like assholes to your partner, YOU are the one that needs to deal with it primarily. A lot of resentment can build on even the best marriage when you have outside forces making it difficult.” PREACH!
Hahaha, I know first hand. Love my husband to death, but I do wish he’d done more over the years when family acted up for no reason other than viewing anyone but themselves as “outsiders”.
I just read the New Yorker’s take on the whole thing, written by Rebecca Mead, and whoa is it bitchy. Pretty much takes the Cambridge’s party line.
This sentence made me laugh: “The Sussexes may have hoped for a conscious uncoupling from the rest of the Windsors, but the drama of the breach was immediately symbolized by the removal of their wax likenesses from the Royal Family display at Madame Tussaud’s in London. (The couple are not to be melted down, just stationed elsewhere.)”
This was certainly Harry’s idea and he’s made it known since he became a late teenager/young adult that he wasn’t a fan of the royalty game thing. That he disliked and wanted away from it. He did that early on with serving overseas. And spending so much time in Africa. This is totally fitting in his past pattern.
The website was poorly edited and full of typos.
Meghan flew back definitely. I believe Prince Harry stayed behind to work out the details.
Is it boss though? I’m all for them finding their own path, but from a business perspective, to come back “to work” drop a bomb telling your CEO how/where you’ll work and to figure it out while you leave back for your vacation spot where you may or may not work right now depending on how the talks go with your partner while you’re gone? (Especially as Meghan has brains, Harry negotiating? Teachers were fired for not automatically passing him in school)
I don’t think they necessarily dropped a bomb on the Queen and Charles. I think this has been in the works for a while and when that other one was brought into the fold, and the story leaked, they wanted to get ahead of the story.
I believe what Tom Bradby told the press, and it’s really damning
Yes, both Bradby and Omid basically came out and said this (well, they very strongly hinted at it) – that William/KP leaked the story and that was why Harry and Meghan posted their statement on SR. (which is something many of us were saying yesterday.)
Why would William do something so stupid and amateur. Did he not understand that this was a serious situation, not some game to play with the press. This guy opened up Pandora’s box and showed how little prepared he is to take any kind of real leadership. I think after seeing how this ended up, everyone is backtracking and they have to find some sort of compromise. The palace needs to curb the courtiers and show some support. Also some press restraint because the worst of the racist dogs are unleashed. I hope Harry and Meghan also listen. They have a lot of legitimate grievances that need to be addressed, but need to be realistic. Harry will never have a normal life and Meghan thinks she can go back to her Instagram life , but there really isn’t a way to do that either. They actually work really well in their charities so hope they can do that while still having a foot in the Royal door. TBD.
Eliza please see comment above from OH NO. They can for a requested meeting, got blocked. They said fine and left. Simple. The palace leaked to the Sun hoping to undermine negotiations, Harry just got fed up.
Consider these are people who tried to destroy her pregnancy. They owe them nothing.
Oh No’s comment is about why H+M released their statement, not why they left. And it’s clear they (or at least one of them) planned to leave almost immediately, whether or not the meeting was blocked – otherwise they wouldn’t have left Archie behind.
I tend to mostly agree with Eliza here (maybe not on the last part – I’m a lawyer and even some of them who probably did well in school are terrible negotiators); I don’t think it’s all that “boss” to immediately leave when something this big needs to be resolved.
@Ash – my guess is they thought it was mostly resolved. If this has been in the works for months, on “many levels” as Omid put it – they may have thought it was just a matter of tying up some loose ends, and then issuing a statement. We don’t know how this would have played out without the Dan Wooten leak. But if they thought most of the negotiating was done, it makes sense that they left Archie behind. and once they left him behind, Meghan prob didn’t want to extend her stay.
@Becks1 – definitely possible! That said, they all would have known how huge this is and it really doesn’t sound like they were so close to finalising things that they’d only need a few more days of discussions, meaning that it wasn’t worth bringing Archie back to the UK. While it sounds like H+M’s plan was fully fleshed out on their side, it really doesn’t sound like all the other major players had come to an agreement on any (or much) of it yet. As they would have known that process would take more than just a couple of days, leaving Archie behind does suggest that there was a plan to bail as soon as possible, even if the leak hadn’t happened. Which seems like a strange negotiating tactic, at least IMHO.
Sunshine: destroy her pregnancy and not only with stress. I got hot and cold when I’ve read their tour included a country with risk of zica or dengue (very dangerous viral diseases for pregnant woman). No matter how much profilaxies were taken or vaccines. It is dangerous. I know because i had both (not pregnant, mercy Lord). Who would send a pregnant woman to face such risk? I saw on the comments nobody was very worried about it; but people in Europe don’t know the horrible symptoms of those viruses. And the sequels for the babies. Best medical assistence in the world? Yes, right. Not for me, thanks. Virus are virus.
It is very clear that the Sussexes no longer wish to live permanently in the UK and their return to the U.K. was just to deliver the message. The visit to Canada House had quite an elaborate photo call and signal that Canada will be their new base. The unusual quick visit to Grenfell Kitchen Hubb the same very day was to say goodbye but don’t worry we will still support you. I think Meghan really loved the women there and developed genuine friendships.
Leaving Archie in Canada is a sign that their minds are made up and they are not budging. It might be months before Meghan is back in the U.K. l just hope that their security protection remains as tight as ever.
Sunshine it makes me sick to my stomach to think that they were trying to cause Stress/problems with her pregnancy. The implications of that are… well I would take my family to Canada too. “Oh if she looses the baby we can break them up.” God these people are monsters. Harry doesn’t need Meghan to stay strong he has probably been “incandescent with rage” for quite some time now…
In previous articles, it stated that Harry had met with his father to discuss it and the queen told him to discuss it again with his dad. So I think he kept getting the run around so Harry said eff it and decided to announce it to force the palace into action.
I think that Harry and the Sussex staff stayed to negotiate…and that makes perfect sense since it’s HIS family. Also, can we please do away with this idea that Harry is stupid because he has dyslexia, which affected his school performance. That doesn’t mean he’s stupid and it doesn’t mean he would be a bad or ineffective negotiator! It just means he wasn’t good at a particular type of learning, especially since his dyslexia was undiagnosed when he was a kid.
Thank you for saying that. I am sick of people saying that Harry is dumb and not clever.
Thank you for that too. 🙏
Royalwatcher, I agree with you on both points. Also, Harry may also have wanted Meghan not to be part of the negotiations because the media would have said that any negative fallout was due to her. Or that anything benefial was due to her greedy manipulation. In essence, the same old tired narrative.
Right! Many very smart people have dyslexia and do just fine. Dyslexia does not equal stupid. Also, I don’t think Harry is there to negotiate. If the Firm wants them to continue doing some things they are willing; if not, I think his response is FINE.
People only say that to belittle him. They clearly see him as a threat. Most of the people who were great at school are stuck in crappy jobs, those who are street smart are the ones who actually make a difference in the world because they have the creativity and innovation to see things differently. That’s why harry has always been more successful at the job than William because William has never had an original thought in his life. Look at Harry’s future plans, his ideas are 1000times more innovative than anyone in the RF. I would go as far to say ‘genius’. I know he’s gonna do amazing things. Also Steven Spielberg is also dyslexic and struggled in school and I’m sure we can all agree he’s very smart.
Stupid people cannot fly Apache helicopters, let alone fly them in and out of active battlefields during combat rescues. That’s for sure.
No chance Harry is negotiating. They will have hired some senior solicitor(s) to do that, someone whose job is negotiation. Any lawyers lurking around who want to chime in with comments?
Thank you! I think positively of them in general but I can’t see the handling of this as anything other than unprofessional and extremely entitled. I get their grievances, I really do. But you can’t throw everyone you work with publicly under the bus, demand everyone attend to a five alarm fire, and then also be merely “working towards” not taking their money. Not to mention still planning on being some sort of arm of the organization you’re publicly torching. I’m sure it’s been awful on them but this is just two sides of the same entitlement coin.
@M
Maybe you should look to the people responsible for the leak as “unprofessional.” It’s been reported several times now that H&M have been discussing this with the Queen and other senior royals for months now, until someone who works PR for Will & Kate at KP decided to leak information about it, leaving the Sussexes with no option but to go public with it before the tabloids started to twist it and run false and detrimental stories about it.
Harry and Meghan are leaving them to correct the mess the people responsible for the leaks made, i’m sure if it had stayed within the family while it was being worked out they wouldn’t be scrambling to find solutions now.
Also seems Harry is still there helping to work things out so it’s not like they left them high & dry to deal with it all.
Also from their statements on sussexroyal they clearly state they would still be willing to work for the Queen if she wanted them to. How is that entitled? It’s not like they expect to bow out of senior responsibilities and still do everything the same. It’s up to the Queen now to decide the level of involvement and the engagements she wants them to participate in.
I think your anger or confusion is misplaced.
Wow to everybody calling Harry and Megan unprofessional, talk about Rich! If this was an employment environment, then why are they being protected from harassment? Wouldn’t want to work with you ladies that for sure – You expect a lot from people you abuse #NoThanks
@M
+100
This is akin to throwing a bomb then running away. A boss move would have been them as a couple sorting this mess out together.
The boss is the one who asked for the plan. H&M didn’t come up with this initial idea on their own. I think William is so afraid of them being competition for him and Kate. He wants them to be like the Kents and hand out ribbons and trophies for the rest of their lives. He knows that Harry & Meghan would be pushed to the back or out completely once Louis is 18. H&M decided not to wait that long to do their own thing.
“Smell ya later, Liz!” I’m dying!!! 🤣
I’ve been catching up on all the gossip surrounding this story, and all I want to say is that hope they live best life. Period. I admire the hell out of them for making this boss move.
I read in the Guardian that Harry has stayed in the UK.
I’m still in shock by the bold move.
So much is being said about them disrespecting the Queen by going ahead with the announcement.
But what about the amount of disrespect they’ve had to receive since their wedding: from the Royal Family and a good proportion of the UK population.
This is sending such a strong message to those haters. I love it.
This!! Doesn’t respect go both ways? Didn’t Harry earn the right to be respected by his family?! Didn’t Meghan deserve respect for the way she got straight to work and didn’t do anything wrong? Ugh that family is so gross.
I feel like Charles should have stepped up a long time ago. He seemed to genuinely like Meghan and her mother mother, Doria. He should have released a statement to the press (aimed partially at William) saying “she is a welcome new member of our family and we’ll hear nothing else.” Then he could have sat down with H&M and talked through what kind of engagements they want to do and how they could carve out a semi-private existence. I think Harry really looked at Zara Phillips’ life and wanted that for his family.
Alas, this is a year where Charles and William are both (clearly) stepping up behind the scenes and prepping for the Crown so they’ve taken their eye off the ball (bad staffing!)
I’m happy they’re leaving the royal family because the family has been nothing but assholes to them. but I actually think it’s not a smart move at all to take off and not be present for the meetings they’re having regarding their own future? I hope that Harry stayed because the family has already shown they don’t have his best interests in place.
I’m pretty sure Harry stayed for that reason alone (they don’t have his best interests at heart) and because he has an event scheduled for Monday I think.
From reports the meetings have all been via conference call not in person. If so it doesn’t matter really where Harry dials in from.
Since the Queen is still at Sandringham LMAO.
@Arizona
Just fyi they are not “leaving the royal family”—that’s an incorrect understanding. They’re still part of the royal family, they’re still royals, and are still willing to work as representatives for the crown and the Queen in tours and engagements and their patronages.
The difference now is that they will be able to work more independently, both from senior royal restrictions that impede the way the want to engage with their charitable works and communications, and independent from tax payer funding. They will also not have to deal with the dysfunctional and irresponsible (to say the least) Royal Rota. They’re looking to collaborate with more universal and responsible media.
The more I read this the dumber it becomes.
The palace really are stupid.
They have been pushing the 4 heirs story so making harry and Meghan steo down should have been straight forward.
What is crazy to me is that Andrew being a rapist didn’t even have the half of this backlash, half of this scandal.
They have a rapist in the family.
Right?!?!?!!!!!!!!! Not only no backlash (by the family) but he was visibly supported by the queen!! Sickos!!
This.
Eleonor Sadly what you say is true. I can’t believe the headlines and outrage in the uk tabloids against the Sussexes but with Pedo Andy…oh well nothing to see here. Same with Her Maj and Buckingham Palace. Just shake my head. A criminal in their midst is deserving of all the support but a couple who have great ideas and want to work are thrown under a double decker bus. Shame
I also read the only reason they made the announcement when they did was because some of their plans was leaked to “The Sun”.
Tom Bradby said in an interview, Harry was told, supposedly, to put their plans in writing, Harry said he didn’t want to because it may be leaked that way, but he was told that it needed to be in writing. Then The Sun has it’s exclusive on Tuesday and the next day Harry just basically released the Kracken(what I’m calling the drop lol) since someone decided to go to the Sun.
And Harry went through proper channels beforehand and was roundly ghosted by both HIS GRAN and HIS OWN FATHER. How much did that sting? I thought my family was bad…
But notice the change after Operation Mic Drop – Her Maj went from “We can meet for tea but I won’t even look at your wishlist until you speak to your father whom I know you won’t be able to get a damn meeting with” to “OH LET’S LOOK THIS THROUGH SHALL WE AND EXPEDITE THESE MEETINGS”
SEE LIZ IT WASN’T THAT F*CKING HARD TO DO THE RIGHT THING
Why does the BRF always, ALWAYS have to be dragged for filth in order to get them to do the right thing? Surely just quietly finalizing the plan would have been more expedient and done less PR damage than letting the tabloid lynching of a senior royal in-law continue unaddressed! They’ve had about 30 whole ass years to learn this lesson, for pity’s sake.
So the Canadian embassy visit was to do visas 😱
No wonder they looked so happy, we all thought it was because they’d had a good 6 week break but you could literally see the weight had lifted from their shoulders. I’m really happy for them. I think they’d be happy to step down entirely from the Royal Family and just be like the Obamas in terms of a brand. Good for them.
Seriously stop comparing them to the obamas it is so disgusting. I love the royals all of them but they aren’t people who earned their status or respect. And while Meghan is lovely she’s an actress not a world leader. The Obamas worked for their place it’s not the same and diminishing their accomplishments to prop a Royal is horrific and offensive.
@Becklu.
This, 100%. It’s not ‘”disgusting” but it’s delusional.
I can’t understand why anyone is comparing them (or any royal) with the Obamas and the Clintons. Barack is a former US President and Michelle graduated from Harvard Law School. Bill is also former US President and Hillary is a former US Senator and Secretary of State. They step down from their royals duties and they’re essentially a former actress on a cable show and a former soldier. The Invictus Games are great but it can’t be compared to being elected as country’s leader in any shape or form.
@becklu,I have to agree that comparing H&M to the Obamas is like comparing apples to oranges.
Point taken, i apologize. I didn’t mean to equate their achievements i just probably lazily meant it in terms of people who used to have one type of public profile and then have managed to turn it into a different kind of business/ brand/ profile
Oof, yes, this has been driving me nuts. Their situation isn’t remotely like the Obamas. They aren’t famous for the accomplishments, they’re famous because of who they happened to be born to and who they happened to fall in love with. It’s a radically different starting point as far as crafting new careers.
I now understand why Meghan had her little sweat stains at Canada House! 😉
I may as well say it but they don’t even have more experience or credibility than Ivanka Trump. Let’s not compare them to the Obamas, please.
@Amy….yes, that crossed my mind too. She knew that something seismic was about to happen and they were putting into action their escape plan.
Becklu – I understand what you’re saying in terms of accomplishments however both the Obamas and Meghan were the first black people in those roles – as POTUS and First Lady and a royal bride – AND they were both treated horribly and held to completely different standards than the people who came before them, so in that sense they do have a lot in common!
Maxie – ummm hells no, sorry (actually, not sorry), Meghan and Harry are superior to The Complicit Barbie in every single way. In their accomplishments and character and definitely in their credibility. I mean, are you kidding with that?!
@Maxie
Ivanka never had a job that was not given To her by her father.
Meghan always put in the effort to get a job, being a President don’t make you the smartest or most respected person.
Harry grew up in the Royal family but why does he have projects than can sustain themselves and his Mensa brother does not?
@Maxie and @Becklu
Okay, please stop. Meghan and Harry are NO WAY in the same level as Ivanka. Meghan has worked – since she was 13 – for every success she’s ever had. She didn’t where she was simply because of who her daddy was. (And before anyone says it, her dad was a lighting director, beaning he was NOT some big Hollywood insider. If he’d been a director, writer, producer or studio head *then* that kind of argument would have some merit. Lighting Director? No.)
Also, Meghan *is* a graduate of Northwestern University, one of the top schools not just in the US but the world. So while it’s not Harvard – where both Obamas went to law school – is IS up there with Columbia and Princeton – the schools where Barack and Michelle got their undergrad degrees.
Yes, it’s true that The Obamas are where they are because of their own major accomplishments, mostly wrt him being President. Harry and Meghan aren’t on that level. But they are NOT on the level of an Ivanka Trump, not in the slightest.
Personally I seem them being a bit more like George and Amal Clooney or even Bill and Melinda Gates (when it comes to their foundation). I actually think they’ll live pretty low-key most of the time, and only pop up when they have things/events to announce wrt philanthropy and their foundation. Harry will for sure keep growing Invictus and Sentebale, one of which – Sentebale – he started at 19. Who they are will open a lot of doors, but they have to have the imagination and drive to actually *do* something with that, which I think they’ve both proven before now that they do.
Hell, Hollywood Reporter already has a report of a studio offering them office space for any productions they might want to do. A Production deal was one of the no-brainer things that was always going to be offered to them IMO. (There is a reason most older actors/actresses start production companies and if Meghan had never married Harry I have a feeling she would have done the same at some point anyway).
I’m not comfortable with the Obama comparisons either. Mostly because they are not seasoned yet in this new role they’re setting up. If in 5/10 years they make this work out in building their foundation with deep roots and tangible Global impact, then yes, compare them to the Obamas. However, Harry has built 2 great charities with Invictus and Sentebale. Meghan has her One World initiative partnerships and her patronage’s has thrived under her. He is actually more experienced and polished than her in these areas, but she had that it factor and they both have that human touch. They will get there if they can get it to work, if not, a lot of huge philanthropic boards could use them. I think a lot of the Royal press think they want to cash in on Hollywood with some lifestyle brand, but that is not them. They want to be taken seriously and do real work. As for the Ivanka analogy, she has the backing of the president and still can’t deliver anything but weak platitudes and her MAGA life is contradictory to the spirit of philanthropy.
@Royalwatcher and Peg
Meghan and Harry are more popular and likeable than Ivanka but they won’t be taken more seriously than her whenever they speak at some kind of charity/economic forum. Their social status and media coverage is through birth (like Ivanka) or marriage. Meghan had her internship in Argentina but that may not be enough for someone like Christine Lafrage to show interest as Ivanka learned the hard way.
Your argument could be made about the entire Royal family. Who would listen to William or Kate without the royal titles? O the Queen for that matter, who I understand never even went to university. And as far as comparing Meghan to Ivanka, Meghan is not pretending to be a special advisor to the US president like first daughter is. She is someone who will champion the causes she believes in just like every citizen has the right to. The world would be a much poorer place if we had to wait for the so-called “experts” to lead the way.
People take Ivanka seriously?
I think they’ll wind up living in Malibu. The top charities will stay away from them- you know the appearance fee/arrangement costs will be huge. I don’t really think there will be a market for them. He’s not too bright, but she has enough ambition for both of them. BTW Oprah came out and said she supports their decision but is not advising them. Interesting.
The top charities are going to FLOCK to them. They are all going to want to be involved with them. Everything else aside – Meghan has shown she knows how to execute projects that raise a lot of money for her causes, and they have a huge global reach, thanks to their huge fanbase (Global Sussex Baby shower, anyone?)
Response to Patrizio: You wish! Seriously? The lines are already forming.
Most of the CEOs of the “top charities” make 7 figure incomes so the charities have plenty of money. H&M will be in demand because they will attract wealthy donors. There is tons of money out there to be made. You have influencers on YouTube making 6 figure incomes for putting on make up or cooking food for goodness sake. Harry and Meghan have way more “hand” than some influencer, lol.
LMAO! That ain’t moving to Malibu. My lord, people really are stuck on this “Hollywood” idea about them (and by “them” I mostly mean Meghan).
Though maybe you’re thinking of Diana who DID plan to move to Malibu at one point.
If they ever desired to live in California (and frankly, as long as Trump is president, I don’t see them ever living in the US), Malibu wouldn’t be it IMO. Hell, I highly doubt anywhere on the Westside would be it, given what Meghan has said (again before she met Harry) about living in LA. (Personally, I see them going to one of the suburbs around where I live in the San Gabriel Valley . . . but maybe I’m just biased). And I still see them spending a significant amount of time in Canada along with that if they ever DID get a place in California. It’s why they said “North America” and not specifically The US or Canada. At some point in the future IMO, they’ll be spending most of their time in both countries.
In fact, I think they chose Vancouver, BC because it’s on the West Coast of Canada, which make it easier for Doria to fly up and see them, or for them to fly down and see her.
The place that will see the least of them in a few year IMO, is the UK. Archie and whatever other siblings he might have will go to school either in Canada or the US. Not the UK.
And *of course* Oprah said she isn’t advising them. She’d say that even if she really was. Why the hell would she put herself in the middle of this? This is like when everyone was so sure that Oprah was going to do a sit-down interview with Droia that ended up being compelty false.
Harry and Meghan are already getting public production deal offers. Charities will flock to them for their star power alone. Chris Ship – soundling he he was almost gonna cry – flatout called them “Global Superstars.” They both have an IT factor. Some people have IT and some don’t. Irregardless if they are still a huge part of the Royal Family moving forward they will STILL have that IT factor just like Diana did when she left.
Why is Oprah involved in any of this? Why did she need to even make a statement about not advising them?
They would do great on a lot of philanthropic and even corporate boards. They already have established charities that are their own. If they lived back in the states, Silicon Valley or New York make more sense. The tech world is quite woeful in their giving compared to the Carnegies and Rockefeller’s of yore. There is potential there.
What this says to me most is that Harry doesn’t trust his family at all. He didn’t want his son in the country when this was going down. And he had Meghan leave the country as soon as possible for her safety as well. Not just from the family, but I’m sure from the derangered members of the public as well.
I’m sure there were a lot of death threats directed at her. But again why should he trust his family?
that’s a bit harsh. I know one part of the public is disappointed with harry, but to claim that his own family would hurt archie who is their own blood or megan is a bit much.
These are people who cape for a pedo. They are not trustworthy and they lack integrity. Why should Harry and Meghan take any chances?
It’s better to be safe than sorry. They’ve already been backstabbed enough.
I wouldn’t take my child there at this point either. They are wise to tread lightly and put their own safety first when dealing with the BRF and its staff and courtiers.
Harry knows his family better than you do.
Harry has been thrown under the bus for years by his family. I suspect he decided there was no way in hell his son would suffer a similar fate. We know Willy would have happily sacrificed Archie to protect his own kids. He did it to his own brother whom he claims to love and want to protect.
No it’s not harsh, there are two guys in jail serving time for threatening Harry, who knows what threats they made against Meghan.
The BRF show that will protect pedophile but not a pregnant woman getting abuse, why should she trust with their baby.
The same family that didn’t bother to visit Archie when he was basically under their roof?
@ Horseandhound, I am a monarchist, but I think the family really lacks empathy, why am I saying that; Phillip, a 98 year old man spent 5days in hospital, what did his wife do? Hotfooted off to Sandringham for Christmas. The sad thing was, there was not a single family member or wife with him on his discharge. That is The Royal House of Windsor for you, colder than Siberia.
Abena: Standing ovation for you; I thought I was the only one who noticed that absurdity. The husband of more than fifty years of marriage, near 100 years old, has an emergency, goes to the hospital in the same city the wife is and she doesn’t bother to make just an adjustment on her way to pass by and see how he’s doing?!!!
For crying out loud! It’s her husband, the father of her children! No, she goes as planned for her vacation! What’s wrong with that people?
William made note of *Pippa’s* son being his nephew more than Archie. William would for sure thow Archie under the bus if it meant protecting himself. Frankly, looking back, I think it was already starting to happen, what with those asinine articles about how Archie should spend time with his Cambridge cousins and is/will be a spoiled brat because he isn’t. It’s been said that the Royals send messages to each other through the press. IMO, that nonsense about Archie playing with the Cambridge kids was a message to Harry and Meghan from the Cambridge camp.
So hell yeah Harry doesn’t trust his family, particularly his brother, when it comes to his son. And I think we’ll see more of Archie (and any other kids they may have) mostly being left behind in Canada (or in the US with Doria) if Harry and Meghan ever have to travel to the UK to do anything Royal.
Agree, they didn’t bring Archie because they knew what was coming and Harry made sure Meghan got out of their quick too.
That and maybe something else too. Maybe.
I agree that they left Archie where they knew he’d be safe. Harry knows his family better than anybody. Why else would they leave their baby so far away? Harry probably has concerns for Meghan as well, that’s why she’s gone.
I agree 100%. I’m pretty sure the level of death threats against Meghan has given Harry a sleepless night or two (remember the while powder that was mailed to her before the wedding?) And, as said, a white supremacist is already in jail serving time because of a threat to kill Harry for being a “race traitor.”
Harry and Meghan both probably want Archie far away when this was about to go down. There were already articles being written about how Archie was a brat – at 8 months old! – because Harry and Meghan weren’t having him play with his Cambridge cousins. ( Which – Wut?) And Harry and Meghan likely decided she should go back to Archie asap for her own safety as well after she said the good-byes she needed to (she went and saw the Hubb Kitchen people personally, as well as a few other of her patronages).
Harry has said more than one that the safety of his family comes first. The House of Windsor has already shown they’d rather protect a pedophile than his wife. They have thrown Harry under the bus to protect William most of Harry’s life. William has done it himself. Does anyone *really* think William wouldn’t throw *Archie* under the bus to protect himself or his own kids? He’s already done so wrt Meghan. No way was Harry going to subject his son to being around for this.
harry is a free man, he should do with his life as he sees fit. I wish them all the best as a family and hope they will do the right thing and renounce their titles, frogmore house and everything they’re not entitled to anymore.
Why aren’t they entitled to it anymore?
I’m with Horseandhound. If they’re saying adios to the Firm and severing ties on their own terms, why should they still expect 95% of their funding to come from said Firm and continue to use Harry’s birthright privileges to launch themselves independently? It’s a bit hypocritical to want to use all the of the birthright privileges like titles, income & security provided by their oppressors but shirk off all the tedious bits that aren’t to their taste. This would be so much of a stronger statement of their personal values if they said ‘no’ to all of it and made a fresh start of it with their own vast personal fortunes.
But, they aren’t saying “adios” to the firm. They are still going to be working royals. They are rejecting the funding that means they have to use the royal rota, which frankly, is a horribly outdated system and I’m sure all the royals wish they could get rid of it.
and 95 % of their funding is coming from Harry’s father.
@evil owl
But they are not leaving the firm. Edward still has his titles (and his fancy, inexpensive castle), Ann still has her titles (and her fancy inexpensive castle), the rapist still has his titles (and his multiple properties and highly-suspicious wealth) and none of them are “senior royals.” Why should these two, who have pledged to continue to support and work for the monarchy not retain their titles? Hmmm…what makes them different?
Considering Beatrice and Eugenie have accommodations provided, which at best are paid for by Andy, who doesn’t have any legitimate outside income, this need to take everything away from Harry when plenty of other family members who aren’t working royals have titles and other benefits is not logical and seems to be more about vengeance for daring to build a different path.
So will they get their money back in the house? The structural updates were paid for, as already planned, from the official purse, but the Sussex family also sank their own money into whatever that didn’t cover.
@HORSEANDHOUND
You really need to improve how you reply to your own comments
If Harry needs to give up his titles and move out of Frogmore for becoming a minor Royal?…… Then KP needs to clean house of all of the non working Royals that live there as well. Harry and Meghan will probably pay rent to the Queen for Frogmore after all is said and done.
I’m American so maybe I got this wrong. Harry has done nothing wrong. Unlike Andrew who is a true disgrace to the RF but he gets keep his titles.
Why are some Brits so mad at Harry. Charles has been saying for years he is streamlining the RF . Harry is in a position now to make a living on his on. He can’t quite 20 years from now. The opportunities may not be there. This is a good test run for Charles to see if someone this close to the Crown can be financially independent going forward. A blueprint for the Cambridge kids. Edward couldn’t do it and Andrew did it all kinds of wrong / Shady as hell. The York sisters are to far down the line for people to care what they are doing. I think Harry can do this correctly and keep the RF and Britain in international news in a positive way. All the while protecting Meghan and Archie.
@Karmak
I think some Brits are so mad at Harry because he keeps refusing to follow the script they had laid out for him/his life. He wasn’t supposed to marry a half-black American girl. Let alone have a baby with her. He wasn’t supposed to marry a girl who had her own career and life before she met him and is independent minded. A girl who was never a part of the upper class Aristo set and – more importantly – doesn’t really care about being accepted by that same set (unlike Kate – and her mom – who care very much about it).
Harry was supposed to allow himself to be thrown under the bus to protect William’s image whenever it needed it. He was supposed to keep quiet and accept his place and position. The Spare, that was his value. Harry, however, has always bucked against that and, because he has a strong woman by his side who knows her own worth, she’s helped him see his own and that no, he doesn’t have to be what others think she should be; be with who they think he should be with, allow himself to be used for other people’s benefit, none of that. He’s a worthy person just as he is.
There was always an undertone of “please don’t take Harry away” when Meghan and Harry were confirmed to be dating (along with the undertones of other things). There was an article back in October, when the news of the lawsuites came out, that flat out said “Okay Meghan, Harry has your back but *please* don’t take him away from us.” So yeah. People knew. Hell, they play Charles III knew. Harry wanted out – he’s *always* wanted out. He didn’t want to play the game or the role that had been written for him since birth pretty much. And with Meghan, be began to have the backbone and confidence to NOT play the game or his punching bag to William role. And now, here we are. Harry chose his wife whom they didn’t want him to marry because she didn’t fit the script and the son they never wanted her to have over *them.*
So I think Brits who are mad at Harry are the ones who didn’t want him picking his family over *them* – their country, traditions, etc. The ones who are happy for him *recognise* how Harry has *always* been unhappy with his life and his role in life before now, and just want Diana’s boy to be happy.
At least, that’s my American take on what I’m seeing wrt this.
Morrigan, great post and I agree with you as well. Those particular Brits are first and foremost pissed at Meghan for taking their Harry away; she’s the seductress who’s used her wiles to tempt him away from his traditional life and family. He should have married the “perfect” girl who probably would have never been good enough for him anyway. He’s the good-time Charlie who had no right to mature and to be anything other than his brother’s whipping boy and third wheel. And it’s all Meghan’s fault because they can’t credit him with a mind of his own wanting to live his own life.
@Feeshalori he was supposed to be another Andrew – the randy, dim, party-boy spare. Popular when he’s young, a national joke when he over 50.
And Meghan? They desperate kept trying to paint her as shallow and fame hungry and that the only way she’d ever leave is if she was kicked out with Harry being made to divorce her. That’s what they wanted. They wanted her weak and humiliated and then, when Harry married again, it would be a nice, Aristo white girl in the vein of Cressida.
They didn’t/refused see the razor sharp mind Meghan has, nor the complete uncaringness she had for that whole Aristo set and being a part of it. And people either just refused to listen to Harry (or take him seriously) over the *many* years where he’s talked about his disdain for the press (Royal Reporters FYI: Harry only tolerated you when he had only himself to think about. Don’t get it twisted, he NEVER liked ANY of you), and how he has thought before of leaving the Royal Family all together. He warned people – TWICE – in press releases that he wasn’t playing around when it came to Meghan and then Archie’s (after he was born) safety.
I saw them eventually leaving *months* ago. Granted, I thought they would at least wait until the Queen either stepped down or died, but I knew they were going to leave – together – at some point. It was clear as day to me (and a lot of other people who are fans of them actually). For those who refused to see the signs that Harry was about to flip the script they had laid out for him since birth, and how they were sure the script would go wrt Meghan, they are piss and angry and don’t know which way is up. Because he is NOT supposed to leave with her. SHE was supposed to be kicked out, and HE was supposed to say marrying her was a mistake and then chose a nice white girl to replace her who would conform to being less-than her SIL Kate, and continue on with the script they expected him to follow.
Such a tumblr comment. The titles they keep, just like Beatrice and Eugenie keep HRH and titles.
As Becks1 wrote, they aren’t stopping being working royals. They will continue to be working royals a la Gloucesters, Kents, all who have taxpayer-paid housing in exchange for their duties representing the monarch. They will also be unfettered (from William), to continue their preferred style of charity work (InvictusGames, Sentebale, Hubb Kitchen, WWTW, Travalyst, SmartWorks, mental heath program with Oprah).
Not really, though- they didn’t outline paying rent and they want to make money and choose their own work (which might be more political than allowed royal work, etc.) without limitations, unlike the Gs.
The Kents, Gloucesters, Princess Alexandra. None of them pay rent (Alexandra re the SJP townhouse, her house is a different matter). They receive taxpayer funded housing and staff in exchange for doing their royal roles. They haven’t lost titles, HRH, or places in succession. That is what Harry and Meghan would be doing in regards to their work for The Queen (Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, National Theatre). They shouldn’t have to pay rent or pay their own expenses when representing the Crown.
Same arrangement as Princess Madeleine of Sweden. When representing the Crown, her expenses are paid by taxpayers and she stays in a palace apartment. She doesn’t pay those expenses herself. The rest of the time, she lives in Florida, supported by her husband, working for the Childhood foundation her mother created.
What Harry and Meghan want the rest of the time? To be away from William’s controlling nature. To be allowed to pursue their big projects without having to run it by William and letting William take credit.
It is a hybrid model done in other royal families, but rarely done with the BRF. Setting out the roadmap on their website, negotiations to see how it will work moving forward.
Prince William saying he’ll destroy all the ivory in the Royal Collection (which doesn’t belong to him). Prince William creating a prize for fighting climate change. Kate’s pretend idea to fix ‘Broken Britain’. These things are political but I don’t see you complaining.
It isn’t as if Harry and Meghan are going to go out campaigning for the next US president, but that’s the pack of lies tumblr likes to project.
I think Meghan got sick of having “ the taxpayers own you” thrown in her face. Calling them leeches and on the dole. Americans have a very different psychology to government funding. An able bodied person who can work, but expects taxpayer funding, is a shameful thing in the US. We have no problem with massive corporate tax breaks, but God forbid you need government healthcare or housing. Obviously the royals are very wealthy, but the taxpayer funding ownership claim probably bothered her to no end. She never had an issue with the work of the Royal family and taking on more of it. However, she didn’t think sacrificing her personhood and self esteem would be part of it.
Yeah, that “ Taxpayers own you” nonsense is tantamount to slavery. And no African American is going to take kindly to hearing that thrown in their face.
I think the Sussexes are working to secure the family’s future and I doubt the Sussexes didn’t have their staff and lawyers in on the talks. The coven that is the British press like to spin Harry and Meghan went rogue is that it’s butthurt that its favorite targets are going out of the royal rota. Yeah the Fail and others will do their hit pieces but they are making the job easy for Meghan’s lawyers for the lawsuit as well. The Windsors have a lot to lose too. They may have a syncophantic press in the UK but it can’t control the media beyond its borders. Liz, Chuck and Bill must be terrified that the Sussexes will do a sit down with Oprah or Gayle King because that interview will get world wide coverage. Harry and Meghan know where the bodies are buried. They could be called to talk to the FBI to tell what they know about Andrew. Without diplomatic protection especially for Meghan the Sussexes could be subject to obstruction of justice charges. Why should Meghan risk jail for a family that didn’t support them? I don’t think Harry and Meghan would leverage that, but the courtiers are probably scared they would.
Is does bother me that someone in the know has stated — and The Times ran with it — that their main Comm Dir, Sara and her next in line strongly advised them to put out a much more innocuous statement. This leak had to come from Sara or the other as they are not refuting it. Their loyalty should be to the Sussexes but The Times indicated that they are worried about their jobs. If I was Harry, first order of business would be to make sure these two keep their mouths shut or resign.
Maybe the british press is pissed because they will have problems to access every single move of the Sussex if they aren’t in UK under the Big Eye of the RF. I don’t think canadian press or USA press are going to be too much friendly about feeding the british tabloids with useful hints to vilify H&M. Everything they will know it’ll be second or third hand, old news.
Yeah, I wonder about that. Anyone know the rules about Paparazzi in Canada? The Canadian and US press ain’t given the British Press *any* scoops or news about them, that’s for sure. They are going to try to get in on their good side and the main talking point from Harry and Meghan about why they are leaving has to do with the British Press’ behavior. What they said about the British Press – specially the Royal Rota – was very clear: “don’t work with or beleive these people.” And I think Canadian and US Press are going to heed that warning so they can get “in.”
So according to Tom Brady they were told they some time ago that they weren’t really apart of the slimmed down monarchy and were told to put down some plans on paper. Them, not being idiots, or born yesterday, said no cause every time we do that it leaks. Eventually they said fine, whatever and did. Low and behold it leaks and so they said fuck it, put out their statement and the draft of their plan on their website.
Now, If it’s true that they won’t be apart of the “slimmed down” monarchy then the RF is dumber than I thought. They’re needed during Charles reign and Williams if monarchy is unfortunate enough to survive. Who is actually on the monarchy’s side cause kicking them out is a mistake on the logistical side and optics side imo. W&K don’t like to work. It is what it is. Anne can’t work for forever. All the Queens cousins that are old af can’t work forever. So that leaves the Sophie and Edward, C&C, W&K until their children are old enough to work.
Right so it literally made no sense for them to not be apart of the slimmed down monarchy.
The Queen would not have given them the Presidency and Vice Presidency of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust if this were true. That should logically have gone to W&K. Nor would she have given Meghan the National Theatre patronage a year ago.
This is what I think too, Nota. If Harry and Meghan were not to be included in the “slim down plan” then they would’ve not been given the Sussex titles when they got married and such important roles as you said, Nota. They were treated as senior royals at the time of their wedding so the not included in the slim down had to have come after that. Perhaps after William saw how popular and hardworking they were? I can’t wait until everything comes out!!
This whole ‘they were being pushed out, they were mad about not being senior royals’ is all part of the pro-William spin on this.
It was always intended Harry and his wife would be senior royals during Charles’s reign. That’s why the Queen gave them such important appointments. The Queen loves The Commonwealth, she wouldn’t give that away to people who were being phased out.
What is happening now is all a result of William’s abusive behavior in the last three years.
nota I was trying to figure out whose narrative the ‘they were being pushed out and triggered by the release of the new Queen and heirs portrait’ was. I hope that is not accurate because it makes H and M sound unhinged as the heirs portrait seems inoffensive. Bradby seems to be using that talking point but not Scobie.
@Nota – just to make my position clear, I agree that they were always going to be part of Charles’ monarchy. I think the quote from Bradby though is telling – “they knew there was going to be a slimming down and they weren’t part of it” – to me that says that William wanted them on the sidelines. I think Bradby used the term “slimming down” to be generous, but I think we know what happened – Charles wanted them as working royals, and William forced them out through a variety of tactics. So its almost like Slim Version 1 and Slim Version 2, lol.
Exactly. Supposedly she was thrilled, as was Charles that both Harry and Meghan wanted to be involved with the Commonwealth. William is the incoming POW and his duties would be substantially different so the Queen saw this as a win/win at the time. It will be interesting to see Commonwealth reaction if she and Charles strip them of this role. Or should I say when! What William wants, William gets or he will take his marbles and go home.
It is best that they make their move while they are young rather than wait until they are in their fifties and William casts them aside.
I also think that Harry wanted the Queen to be involved in the decision about his future because after she goes he will be at the mercy of his father and brother. For all her faults she has a definite soft spot for Harry and knows his strengths. She knew he would be good in the Commonwealth role.
+1
She wouldn’t have given him the Commonwealth role if he was being phased out. The intention was always to have Harry and wife as senior royals during Charles’s reign.
@Nota….they may well have been senior royals during Charles reign but the rumours of sending them off to Africa where they supposedly would be less visible , as reported in The Times now ring true . They are taking this drastic action not just because they are fed up with demonisation by the press but because they know that forces within the Palace are working to marginalise them and the impactful charity work they do. They want to control their own destiny rather than be squashed down by spiteful and jealous characters.
Can someone explain the timing of this monarchy “slim down”. Why do it before the Cambridge heirs are old enough to assume responsibilities? I think this was just about getting rid of Meghan and Harry with no thought to the logistics.
They were set to make a big show of kicking the Sussexes out but the Sussexes turned the tables and said we’re leaving.
Someone correct me if I’m wrong but I think talks of a slimmed down monarchy talks were mentioned before Meghan entered the picture. I think Charles has been pushing for it for a few years?
yes the queen had fewer of the family on the balcony and on the boats with her during her Jubliee in 2012 and there was a bit of a hoo har about that at the time
Charles has been talking about it but it always included Harry, at least during Charles’ reign.
Yes, it always included Harry and spouse during Charles’s reign. No cousins of William’s generation (Beatrice, Eugenie), and no cousins in George’s generation (Harry’s kids).
No, this was initially about Charles getting rid of Andrew and his family and the older ancillaries such as the Kent’s.
I don’t understand why they even bothered to come back to London to thank Canada for their hospitality if Meghan rushed back to either BC or Toronto the next day.
They were always going to step down from royal duties but this is one messy exit. The Sussexes must have some epic blackmail material if they’re confident they’re gonna get everything they listed on their website.
Very environmentally friendly of them too. Why did Megan bother to show up in the UK at all?
Maxie,
Based on the other stories we are hearing(also see up the thread) Megan probably went back with Harry for negotiations. When they submitted their written plan beyond talks with the Queen and PC, it got leaked, the reporter at the Sun who broke the stories has connections to KP(thanks Wills!), and once they realized the family was trying to throw them under the bus again and the reaction from the British royal reporters and public was awful, Harry and Meghan probably decided that only Harry needed to stay.
Plus, they probably actually had to do a visit to Canada House any way for logistical issues. Anyway, given the hate Meghan is receiving on this, getting out of the UK was a smart move.
@sunny – “once they realized the family was trying to throw them under the bus again and the reaction from the British royal reporters and public was awful, Harry and Meghan probably decided that only Harry needed to stay”
Then why leave Archie behind? I also discussed this further up thread, but I can’t see how we could take that point as anything other than a pre-determined plan for them (or at least one of them) to leave almost immediately.
@ASH
Or maybe Jessica Mulroney was going to bring Archie to London later on.
Who knows why he camping out with her.
@Ali – totally possible (and/or the nanny could have done it), although I still think those possibilities are less likely given that most people would prefer to accompany their own very young child on international flights. And Meghan has – understandably! – shown in the past that she’d rather not leave Archie for too long while travelling, as seen during the Africa tour.
She visited at least two of her patronages in person (Hubb kitchen, National Theatre). That may have been to reassure them that, no matter what, she was going to continue to work with them. That’s a difficult conversation best had in person.
@Maxie
She had patronages there she went to visit.
@Sonya
Lol where were you when the Cambridges used an extra car when they could have easily just waited 30 mins for that lineage/pudding photo-op and carpooled? Or when they staged that petty budget flight photo-op that actually caused two extra empty planes to be flown due to their last min actions?
Royals are gonna use planes to travel whether you like it or not, most of the time they are doing it for work purposes and sometimes they will have to fly in and out within short amount of days, just like world leader’s, diplomats, business people, and celebrities do, are you going around criticizing them too? Having to fly back to the UK because they had to deal with someone leaking the negotiations means they probably had to do so quickly and Perhaps leaving Archie in Canada was the best option. At least when H&M travel privately they try to do it more sustainably when possible, for example when they used Elton John’s eco-friendly private jet.
If you’re gonna harp on them being environmentally friendly when it comes to travel options, then keep that same energy for all the royals.
Trying to imagine the rage levels on this website if Kate had left her kids overseas with a friend for several days…
I don’t mean this negatively, I just want to be informed: how is it that the Royal Family didn’t have Megans and Harrys backs? I mean, what exactly did they not do? I am team Meghxit, but sometimes I don’t get this part. Should the queen have spoken out about the racism in the press? Or should she have been photographed with Meghan? Like she was with Andrew after his disaster interview?
Yes, to both your questions. When Meghan was continually dragged in the press, a simple statement from BP or CH (or KP when they were there) would have helped – “the palace is aware of the numerous false stories printed daily about the duchess of Sussex. She is a valued member of the royal family and has our complete support.” Done.
Or yes, a staged photo op – going to church with the queen, doing an event with Charles, Kate wearing a smart set piece, harry and William doing an actual event together (not just polo), being seen out for a walk with the queen at Windsor, etc. Any of these minor things would have gone a LONG way.
It’s insane how easy putting this statement out would be for them. It’s probably even more insane and insulting that Harry knows how easy it would be for them to do this for him and his family and instead they focused all their attention protecting W+K and pedo Andrew.
Yes I think the queen could have said or done something to publicly show she supports them and to quiet down the attacks. She also could have done something other than protect her rapist son…
Also, William could stop throwing them under the bus and contributing to the problems.
William’s jealously and petulance is the reason for all of this. If he had control of himself, if he could handle his adult brother refusing to be a scapegoat, if his ego could face a strong WOC and not cower? None of this would be happening.
If celebrities and female politicians could issue
public statements to call out stupid reporters about their bullying, so can the Queen and Charles. But noooooo….they just sat on their hands and accompanied the rapist to church.
@Lenn, early into the Cambridge’s marriage, Kate was photographed with her hair extension clip not fully hidden. Reports came out, “Kate wears hair extensions!”
St. James Palace put out a statement denying this! An actual statement!!!! They said it wasn’t a hair extension piece, but rather a scar from a childhood surgery (a childhood surgery no one had ever heard of before and which has never been mentioned since.)
If the RF can put out a statement denying hair extensions, then they could have shut down the ‘Meghan is so mean to her staff’ ‘Meghan made Kate cry’ ‘Meghan sends texts at 6 am’ ‘Meghan contributes to war because she at an avocado’ ‘Meghan wanted to wear one of the Queen’s crowns for the wedding and pitched a fit when she wasn’t allowed’ stories we were subjected to for the past two years.
The press release saying it was a childhood scar and not a hair extension was the first one she had sent out… which shows her priorities.
I don’t get the UK press right now:
“How dare Meghan live a tax payer funded life! Shame on her for being a commoner with no business accepting handouts!”
*yet in the same breath*
“How dare Meghan ask NOT to live a tax payer funded life! Shame on her eschewing Royal privilege.”
No matter what they do, it’s ALWAYS the wrong thing for the UK press.
It’s crazy yes.
Meanwhile today reports that Amanda Thirsk the Duke of York’s top aide is being given a six figure legal settlement (for what?) from the palace and being launched as CEO of a spinoff of his Pitch project. But somehow Meghan and Harry are the British taxpayers worst enemy.
Isn’t she the fall guy for the horrible interview? Settlement to keep her mouth shut most likely.
Harry hasn’t left yet. Meghan left yesterday.
I don’t know I think this is going to backfire on them. I was at a work meeting in Europe and all the brits said they understood why, and feel terrible for what Meghan was going through but that if Harry really didn’t want to be in the family then they shouldn’t have had the publicly funded wedding and house. There is also a poll that majority of people don’t want them to have any duchy money. They feel sorry for Meghan’s treatment but think Harry is a brat and should have been honest about what she was getting into. If they aren’t royals they need public interest and good will and I’m not sure they have it at least not in England. There were also jokes about how they want to profit of the name and be influencers
Personally I wish them nothing but the best but was surprised by the brits I spoke to reaction. Also that picture of Archie and Harry is adorable.
Brit speaking here, the majority of the population probably don’t care one way or the other. The press here is the worst…in fact the last few years in Britain have been awful what with Brexit. People are grumpy about everything (myself included lol)
Why is it surprising?
They do have a lot of support but that doesn’t mean people want them to keep all the privileges without doing the full-time work. I saw a YouGov (?) poll on Twitter and 63% think they should no longer receive any income from the Duchy, 13% think they should be able to keep it.
Do those 63% think the Queen still support Andrew or should he get off the dole too? Especially since he too is “stepping back”.
Maxie Brit here as well. The Duchy is private money. However I get the feeling that they would not have an issue with that either. Based on the above, they are done.
Try looking at how hard Meghan has already worked in the first two years of marriage. At a far higher rate than Kate. I don’t think we’ll see a significant decrease in the amount of engagements from the Queen from these two. What we’ll see is an increase in their external charity work (Sentebale, Invictus, etc.) while they support the Queen at the level of Gloucesters, Kents. Who have titles, taxpayer-paid housing, taxpayer-paid office staff.
NO ONE could have predicted the level of open racism directed at Meghan. Harry probably said..they’ll tear apart your clothes, they’ll laugh at your sense of style, they’ll poke fun at your hairstyles, etc….but “straight outta Compton”???? the pic of them with their newborn depicted as a chimp? ??? I bet Harry never thought his countrymen could stoop so low. He CHOSE her.. so in his mind they should accept her and he figured maybe a rough year like what Camilla and Kate and the blood princesses get, but instead Meghan was VILIFIED in an atrocious, viciously racist manner. And still, the lies and mis-representations keep coming. Lies about Frogmore funding, etc etc etc…..AND NO ONE FROM THE FAMILY SAYING STOP LYING. No one from the family saying the cottage was being refurbed anyway and Harry and Megs paid for the interior themselves. WHY aren’t the Crown, the Firm or any member of the family clearing up these obvious lies and mis-representations???????
Question to the Brits: the Duchy is private money – meaning it’s given to Charles, but only because of his position (ie: job) as Duke of Cornwall, right? And from where is that Duchy money derived? Does it not come from taxes on the people of Cornwall? thank you in advance for clarifications.
The Duchy of Cornwall is basically a property development and asset management company set up as a Trust or Trust Fund for Prince of Wales-Duke of Cornwall. The duchy was set up by, I believe, Edward I to provide and income for his direct heir eldest son separate from the privy purse or crown purse as I believe the privy purse then called.
Thanks Bay. I’m inclined to believe that H&M should hand-in their duchy share and their titles on the way out the door, as they have a perfectly bright future as self-made billionaires ahead of them if they so choose. But it seems they have invested in “sussex” and “royal” as part of a personal brand they are building and from which they intend to profit, so…. interesting times.
This has been about William. I think he got Harry and Meghan wrong and may not have understood thàt neither were that invested in be the Firm and royalty. Meghan has been portrayed as a grasping social climber and Harry as weak. I read somewhere that William forbid Meghan from using any ok the jewellery in the Royal collection to be petty. I think William thought they would do the heavy lifting while he and Kate swarm in occasionally and get credit. Guess William and Kate will have to add at least +100 engagements to their list..If Meghan and Harry stay in Canada sooner or later the public start paying attention to their poor work habits.
QE poor handling of this is another indication she needs to step down..She simply doesn’t get it that the world has changed. I doubt the British public will have much sympathy for royals after January 31 either when Brexit realities hit home
It doesn’t make any sense that Charles would cut Harry out of his slimmed down monarchy. Once the Queen dies, which will be sooner than later, you would think Charles would want his popular and dynamic son out on the pavement doing the hard work. Harry is a draw. George is like 7 years old. It’ll be ages before he’s working himself. Makes no sense.
Completely agree….not now and not for a long time. I thought it was to be Charles and his sons and their families. Not to mention the family loves Harry. The timing Of this – IF related to a slimmed down monarchy – doesn’t make any sense.
That’s because this wasn’t the plan. All of this ‘they were being removed as working royals, Harry and Meghan are acting out and making demands’? This is all William spin, trying to take credit for shoving them out when Harry and Meghan chose to leave without William’s permission.
Before Meghan came on the scene, it seemed that Harry and his future spouse were supposed to part of Charles’ slimmed down monarchy. Now we hear from someone who is considered a reputable source that they were told they weren’t to be a part of the future slimmed down monarchy. Makes me think that the issue really is that someone doesn’t want Meghan to part of the future of the monarchy.
Thanks for stating that so clearly. And when you think about it, Harry was led to believe that he and his future spouse would be a part of the slimmed down monarchy and then suddenly, the goal post shifts and Harry’s told no, you won’t. If that’s what happened, it was probably a gut punch for Harry and finally the last straw.
Anyways good luck to the Cambridges for trying to sustain the monarchy when the time comes!
By that time the older royals will be dead or dying so it’ll basically be 5 Cambridges + 3 spouses. The RF currently does around 300 engagements a year so 3000 / 8 is 375.
I don’t see the adult Cambridges wanting to do almost 400 engagements a year so let’s hope the kids and their spouses have a work ethic and even then expect numbers to drop
By that time they won’t have to worry about engagements in Scotland or Northern Ireland anymore.
Lol! That is a good one!
I thought I read that William doesn’t plan on being an active monarch. That his goal was to streamline the types and numbers of engagements that “working royals” do and he had no intentions of doing what the Queen, Charles, Anne do workwise.
He plans on being a non-working royal, as he essentially is now. The majority of what William does is create umbrella org to take credit for the work of other people while taking credit. His latest ‘I’ve created the Nobel prize for the environment’ being his latest incarnation.
Then people will complain. One of the biggest arguments for the monarchy is that their value for money
If people see they’re only doing 1000 or so engagements a year and are barely seen, people will start to question that
And there won’t be anyone left to deflect. Unless William is willing to throw his own kids (Louis and Charlotte) under the bus
If that is true nota then are people going to start demanding he and Kate be “stripped of their titles” if they are not going to do the work? Seems like that is a real bee in the racists/ Tumblr crowds bonnet about Meghan and Harry.
@nota, totally agree. And believe this is a big issue in what’s happened with Harry, especially once Meghan came on the scene.
It’s not just that he’s jealous of their popularity, or wants to have Harry around to throw under the bus when needed.
The real work that Harry and Meghan have been doing makes it clear that by comparison William is really doing nothing much. And he can’t have that.
charles does at least 400 engagements per year as much as anne. so william and kate sd keep their dreams of 1 or 2 engagements per week away cos they will be expected to work lots more.
I’m glad Meghan is not in the discussions. This is Harry’s place to work this out. Can you imagine having to sit in a meeting with people you know hate you. As I’ve theorized earlier, the uncoordinated move was because someone leaked and Harry said let’s do this before it looks like they kicked us out.
Also, my husband’s grandfather is the same age as Liz. He still drives and can have simple conversations. Ask him something that happened five minutes ago and he has trouble. Something 20 years ago and it comes back quick. I always wonder how strong Cognizant the Queen is. Her mind could still be stuck in the 30s and the hatred for Duke and Dutchess of Windsor could still be in her aged mind. I hope she doesn’t take that out on Harry and Meghan. Let them keep the HRH title and at least pay for protection. Harry is STILL the son of the heir to the Monarch.
By the way, the Fail is really out here blaming Meghan and not Harry, who is a member of the family!
By the way, the Fail is really out here blaming Meghan and not Harry, who is a member of the family!
—————————————————————————————————————————–
Yes, they are ruthless and have been out for blood from day one! Meanwhile, Andy….
Boss move is right. Go on Duchess.
Harry and Meghan will be financially independent when they win a few lawsuits against the media. Now and in the future.
Messy messy. A labour leadership candidate is calling for monarchy referendum (won’t happen that’s why royals need right wing press on side& why they wouldn’t publicly back Sussexes’ lawsuits) and an Australian paper is linking Sussexes news to encourage republican state. I keep wondering how the BRF messed this up..
I think decision is Harry led- he’s had form of talking about wanting to leave royal life& being persuaded to stay by the Queen previously. I also think that part of struggle/disillusionment is Harry being firmly put in place by the palaces.
Look since last April when Shipman piece came out there’s been talk of Sussexes being cut adrift/ being exiled. Tom Bradby said there were harsh words around time of the wedding suggesting that’s when family rift started. I’ve seen a theory that palace insiders were ones who leaked the relationship news to scare Meghan off& we know press knew a long time about THomas Markle’s pap antics before revealing it the week of the wedding. I wonder if some wanted it cancelled.
I’m starting to believe there may be truth that at least some in the palaces weren’t for the marriage but tried to get on board for diversity PR. However issues circa wedding simmers& then too much attention post Australasia tour puts people on edge& now seems like the brothers don’t see eye to eye and can’t work together anymore. Plus in post Brexit Britain (country going through revolutionary change that may have harsh economic consequences) too much press on royals isn’t necessarily a good thing so can see why spotlight on the Sussexes would be too much for some in the palaces – putting aside use for diplomacy.
Plus all issues with Andrew- palaces are like let’s get this streamlined monarchy thing going& I think discussions around the Sussexes future start in earnest. Bradby says they were told no place in streamlined monarchy for you so come up with plan on your future. Harry was concerned about leaks- lo and behold it did leak but I think Harry was concerned that palace spin would be the ‘naughty Sussexes” have also been sacked like Andrew so that’s why he pushed forward the statement.
This may explain why some RR where trying to link the Harry and Meghan to the Andrew scandal. I thought it was weird that these reporters would say that Andrew and the Sussex s in the same breath. Like they where a problem on the scale of Andrew.
I’ve seen references to this Shipman piece, but can’t find it anywhere. What was it? Was it when it was suggested the Sussexes were moving to Africa??
It is so clear to me that whatever the RF did to Harry and Meghan is so much worse than even what we know. They clearly reached out for help and solicited the comfort from their family in that interview in South Africa and were met with silence (or worse). I don’t think they wanted to pull this nuclear option but they were given no choice. It is so sad.
A timeline of what happened.
After the Australian tour the smear campaign began. The relationship between W&K and H&M was rapidly deteriorating and H&M suspected KP was throwing them under the bus.
The move from KP to BP And the separation of the Sussexes from the shared foundation with theCams. “Brothers are on different paths” was a cover for the relationship rift.
Meghan’s pregnancy catapulted the Sussexes star power and smears intensify up to and after the birth of Archie.
Sussexes see the writing on the wall and begin to plan their exit from the RF. Tell their story via documentary and drop the lawsuit against the media. Try to work with the different parties around their future roles and were given the run around by the courtiers. KP leaks about their plans and Harry and Meghan launched their website to gain some control of the narrative.
Pretty much a modern day twist on Cain and Able 😔
This is the kind of energy we all need to bring in 2020. 🙌🏽
No thanks. I would rather not have a messy AF 2020.
Cute that you think disassociating from toxic family members is messy.
Not today Satan. Not today.
Yes to the 2020 energy!🎉 Nothing wrong with standing up for yourself and starting a new life.
🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽
Agree, and I think some people should probably take a break from this story and rethink their own lives. All this angst, hand-wringing, and scare mongering about how the Sussexes are going to make ends meet or maintain the lifestyle they were accustomed to, and where are they going to live and who’s gonna get taxed is seriously premature and completely out of the control of anyone here. It seems to me more people should be asking how could the good people of the UK have allowed the monarchy to actively exist as long as it has and when will they officially put it to rest. They know the sun set on that empire a long time ago, and the Sussexes will manage just fine with or without their £ being thrown in the kitty to support Ole Queenie and her extended family for life.
I love Meghan. She’s my favorite royal and I think she’s been treated horribly. With that said, this all feels like a circus. The real boss move would have been for them to just cut themselves off completely from the royal family financially and walk away from all of the drama. They are both stable enough to make that happen and have connections most of us could only dream about. To me, staying just makes it look like they still need the royals and it’s clear they don’t.
Harry has duty in his blood. They aren’t saying they won’t work for the Queen, they’re saying they’ll be minor royals like the Gloucesters and Kents. But be free to continue their big charity work unfettered by Petulant William and his Ego.
Harry wouldn’t leave completely, no matter what. No matter how awful of a brother William is, Harry would not leave William’s kids at the mercy of Andrew as regent.
Your last paragraph is interesting. I wonder if this is where the buck finally stops for Charles as well. He knows what Andrew is, no way can I see him entertaining even a remote possibility of Andrew having that kind of power.
Yea… im not sure altruism is really motivating Harry and Meghan at the moment. Remember these children belong to the brother whose household js leaking information and the same brother who havent gotten along in months. Naive to think Harry would give a hoot about any of them atm.
They have their own needs that need to be met and for that they need that Duchy Money. Maintaining a staff under Sussex Royal, travel, security, maintaining multiple homes across the globe is not going to come cheap. That $40 million Harry has and the $5 mil meghan has wont last them beyond two years if they were to cut clean with the RF. The intent is to use the Duchy money, monetize the Royal Sussex title, become stable and then move away from the Royal title once they are stable enough to tKe on the costs themselves. Thats going to be a few years yet.
This. I don’t understand the approach they’ve taken. It would have been much more of a ‘boss’ move to simply announce they were giving it all up, not this half in half out nonsense.
And leave Andrew as possible regent and in control of William’s kids should anything happen to William? That may be the only thing that keeps Harry tethered to his family at all. He isn’t going to throw innocent children to the wolves, unlike the way his family has thrown him to the wolves his entire life.
Ah, interesting, good point notasugarhere. I was wondering how close Harry was to fully walking away, but those 3 kids are likely what’s keeping him there.
@notasugarhere
Good point but the Middletons would never let Andrew have control over the children and the public would be 100% behind them.
@Maxie
The Middletons would have no say. They are subjects of the Crown.
@Maxie…it’s not necessarily control of the children people need to worry about with Andrew as regent. He’d be regent. He’d have power that he would obviously abuse (simply going by his past actions). The Middletons wouldn’t be able to stop that.
And as regent, yes, he would be in charge of raising/training/educating the heir and spare. The Middletons couldn’t stop that.
The Sussexes are targets and need full and highly experienced and expensive protection, this is a reason they cannot just walk away.
I honestly think this is what will end up happening. I think the Sussexes did it this way – saying that they are still completely willing to work for the queen and crown when asked – to show that they’re not abandoning the royal family or their duty to the queen (or whatever). But what’s going to happen is the royal family will at some point push them the rest of the way out.
So eventually they will be completely 100% financially independent and just working for themselves but this way at least the Sussexes showed they were willing to hold up their end of the deal by helping out the family.
Exactly this.
This. Brits are all about “duty” and such. So this way, H&M are saying “we’ll still do our duty, but in a lesser role, since things are slimming down anyway.” Now the ball is in the RF court to either accept that, or just push them all the way out – meaning that “duty” really *isn’t* all that important after all.
I think this was their first offer, a negotiating tactic. As in, “we’d like to do x,y and z while still doing a,b and c. Now what do you propose?” In the end I believe H&M would be relieved if they RF said “no” and then they’d be free.
If they cut off the RF dead, that wouldn’t have gone over any better and we all know it….in fact I would think it would be much worse. They don’t WANT to cut and run — they want to see if and how it’s possible to still fulfill their duty while standing up for their rights and sanity. NO ONE should be subjected to this — it’s not a college fraternity where you get hazed if you want in and it’s appalling that this is considered acceptable behavior from the RRs.
it isnt that easy to walk away when money issues are all tied with the family. why shouldnt he get whatever money he is entitled to? he and meghan put up with bs for 3 years and they are being villified worse than the actual pedo andrew sitting in his palace doing nothing
You know that’s what people say but in reality that would have created the same storm this has. Renounce you titles- ungrateful socialist. Decline taxpayer money, give back what we already paid. How come you’re still rich and plan on getting richer? No titles, why are they still calling you a Prince Harry? Not work for the Queen at all, how disrespectful! How can you throw away you birthright? I’m sure a lot of scenarios are being floated, and none will be acceptable to the public.
Becks1, I wonder if the phrase about ‘countries’ yesterday was related to Canada or the US agreeing to letting them live there.
I’m sure neither of those countries care about what these two do. It’s not like their governments aren’t busy right now. 🙄
Justin Trudeau gave them a nice shout out on their trip, so I suppose they’re not as indifferent as you claim.
Yes because he has all the power in the government and a single tweet acknowledging and welcoming a foreign Royal is the same as working on a plan for them to live and work in Canada. 30 Canadian civilians were just shot out of the sky by another country but Harry and Meghan are the priority right now. Ok then. If they want to live in Canada they can go through the immigration process like everyone else. If they want to live in the US, great. But not a single cent of my tax money should be going to them. That means security or time from my government. Meghan is already a citizen and Harry has rights by marriage. There is literally nothing else my government needs to do for them.
You sound salty for absolutely no reason. Nobody said it was the priority. But your statement implying that they’re completely indifferent is wrong.
It kind of makes me laugh how people start getting so up in arms about the tax money when Meghan is involved, and then they say nothing about tax money going to security for William and Kate’s Canadian tours, etc.
@maria a tour is different than someone living in a country. I dont want to spend a dime of my hard earned money on supporting any royal living in my country. Bad enough that we spent money on RCMP protection for them on their holiday here. I wonder who approved that.
@ LindaS
I was watching TV yesterday and they said that Canadian tax payers may have to pay for H & M security if they choose to live here because Canada is part of the Common Wealth. But if these two really are stepping away from the Royal Family then they should pay for their own security. Canadians pay enough tax as it is. These two need to pay for their own security, nannies, and anything else they want/need if they live in Canada. Harry is worth around 40 million and Meghan was worth about 5 million when she met Harry. They are very rich and can afford to pay for themselves and they seem like the type of people who want to pay their own way as they stated they want to be “financially independent”.
I don’t think Canadians want to fund their security. If they want to live here, and the latest is that they will spend the bulk of the year in Canada, they are tremendous wealthy and can pay for their own security.
They could and might choose to do that.
But as long as Canada’s in the Commonwealth and part of Elizabeth II’s domain that will be the case for those in the royal line, as Elizabeth II is officially Queen of Canada.
So I respect that they are moving toward financial independence and quit leeching off the public, but that doesn’t align with asking Canada to fund security. I think Charles should pay, Harry is a royal by birth and therefore requires it, something he can’t help so, Queen should pay.
I was thinking it was regarding security arrangements in Canada.
I’m also assuming this is why Trudeau just filled that post that had been vacant for years. He knew what was coming and knew the Sussexes will be partially residing in Canada and this new hybrid role.
The latest poll shows that 60% Of Canadians want Harry as their next Governor General. I think that would be a good solution.
Wouldn’t that just strip him of the independence he’s fighting for?
No way in hell he wants to do that.
@Maria,
He can’t be the GG he isn’t a Canadian Citizen.
I’m skeptical of that poll. And it wouldn’t solve the problem anyway.
Our GG’s have only been Canadian since the 1950’s — before then they’ve been British citizens, and even Royalty. So there is precedence. Would be nice if he had a better grasp of French, though. :/
Julie Payette was just appointed for a five year term by a Trudeau. Besides all recent GGs have been Canadian and bilingual. Picking a member of the British royal family, even one as well liked as Harry would be viewed as moving backwards into colonialism. Trudeau or any PM would never do it.
The National Post is a right wing (more like centre right if compared to the US) paper so its reader base isn’t very reflective of overall society… and especially not the anti monarchist sentiment in Quebec.
That was my thought too. Someone yelled at me about Mexico, LOL.
But I’m sure if H&M are going to live part of the year in Canada or the US, there have to be arrangements made.
That’s what occurred to me too. They cannot just show up in the country for six months a year without some prior warning and approval.
@notasurgarhere
Actually you can live in Canada up to 6 months a year as long as you aren’t working. If you want to work, you have to get a work permit before traveling to Canada. As a Canadian, I can go live in the US for up to 6 months a year as long as I’m not working. There are a lot of retired Canadians that spend the entire winter in Florida and don’t need any sort of immigration papers to do it.
They’re not everyday people though. High-profile royals cannot just show up there for six months, every year, as their home without government permission.
ex. France would have had to be informed, and give approval, for Prince Joachim and his wife Marie to live there for a year.
Frankly, I think H&M are slowly going to be splitting their time between Canada and the US. It’s the UK that’s going to get phased out.
As long as Trump is President they won’t have any home in the US. And will probably barely set foot in the country. But he won’t be President forever. And IMO there is a reason they chose the WEST coast of Canada and not the EAST coast. Living on the West Coast of Canada in Vancouver make it a 10+ hour at least flight to get to London. It would only be a 4+ hour flight if they sayed in Toronto.
Whereas Vancouver to LA in the US (where Doria lives)? Same time zone, no matter how long the flight takes.
IMO, *that* is why they specified “North America” and didn’t specially say Canada or the US. Because it, in time, will be *both*. (As to Mexico, which is also in North America, Meghan’s father lives there, and I don’t think she wants to be anywhere in the same country as him).
It’s possible for Harry and Meghan to own homes in both the US and Canada. Oprah, Clooney’s etc., own homes in more than one location. Oprah has purchased additional homes in Montecito, highly secure with friends always welcome. We have gated, secure communities throughout Southern California. Harry and Meghan have no need for taxpayer funding from our state. Offers are on the table.
This may explain why some RR where trying to link the Harry and Meghan to the Andrew scandal. I thought it was weird that these reporters would say that Andrew and the Sussex s in the same breath. Like they where a problem on the scale of Andrew.
Does anyone really believe that the Cambridges are going to work more? People have been expecting them to work more for years now and they haven’t. Nobody’s taking on Phillip’s patronages and work. Did anybody pick up any of Andrew’s patronages? As each family member retires/dies their patronages will be dropped. A slimmed down Monarchy will also mean a slimmed down workload and fewer patronages and engagements. Nobody tells Bill Middleton what to do. If he doesn’t want to work, he won’t. Didn’t Kate skip a long-standing traditional appearance (Irish Guards??) a few years ago because she didn’t want them expecting her to show up every year? That was a sign of things to come. Charles is weak and William is going to make Charles’ reign very difficult. I’m glad Harry got his family away from those people.
Exactly. Who is going to take up all the engagements duties and patronages as people leave the BRF through death or other transitions the answer is that those things will simply be dropped.
Agree I don’t think they will. But I think that may be the plan. I don’t think they want 500 engagements yearly for anyone. Decrease your prescience and increase how big a deal it is when you do an event. I don’t think this was ever the plan for the monarchy to visit every little charity but to keep the queens children busy and looking like they were “working” hence they were “Paid” it morphed into this. It got to much with the grandchildren so they were mostly out. I think it got crazy trying to support all the royal family and having events for them.
No they won’t, and the fallout will be epic.
I wonder if they realize that by doing fewer engagements less money/funding will be rolling in? I mean the taxpayers aren’t going to be fine with paying the RF millions and millions of dollars when they’re only doing 150 engagements a year.
@Harla you are right! It will just keep getting harder and harder to justify the royals.
The taxpayers just gave 300 million for Buckingham Palace restoration, work that should have already been done *and was already paid for but the Queen mis-spent the money*. Now they’re looking at an additional 80 million to redo Charles’s pet project, Clarence House. The 600 million a year annual cost isn’t decreasing anytime soon.
The Times reports that Harry and Charles have been liaising by email and Harry and the Queen by phone during their break. Charles was like let’s discuss in person when back. Harry also wanted to see the Queen in person at Sandringham to chat grandma-grandson and it was all pencilled in but then courtiers cancelled the meeting- apparently thinking he may sweet talk to get what he wanted. It also suggests conflicting narrative, that Harry thought she had given ok to release statement, or plan was to confirm in statements talks taking place and finally she said no to statement.
I think in summary lots of family politics but also the Queen has lost control and do think part of larger issue is power struggle with BP, CH and KP courtiers& some trying to curry favour with future bosses.
The Queen has lost control but maybe she shouldn’t be in control of anyone’s life but her own. This is also a reason why she should have taken a page from other Royal Familys and gracefully stepped down so that the BRF isn’t led by a super elderly person with another elderly person as her heir. Duty blah blah but it has led to this dysfunctional situation of a vipers nest of dueling senior royals and courtiers and something no 93 year old should be supposedly managing.
Meghan is just such a splendidly bad ass woman. And she does it with a smile.
I can’t wait until The Crown gets to this story line!
author of the show has already said they won’t
We need to see how this plays out. The only thing I’m 100% sure of about this story is we are missing great big gaps of stuff. Can’t wait for the Diana mess though with the Crown. Decades and books of knowledge will make that interesting. Plus the actress playing her looks so much like her.
Oh no – that is all us Canadians need – for the Mulroneys to have an even more inflated ego than they currently do!! Both Ben and Jessica are so up their own a** about this friendship. I’ve never understood how CTV doesn’t address Ben’s conflict of interest (they just have the other reporters reporting on M&H stories now). But c’mon, Lainey’s “insider sources”, um anybody else or only me think the snitch/mole/informer is Ben?!?! Lainey and her “palace insiders” *rolls eyes*. What a joke that CTV doesn’t see we know this conflicts exists on Etalk and Your Morning – and yet they pretend we don’t see it. THey will never get rid of the Mulroneys on CTV as they need their connections (which the Mulroneys likely know!). In Canada we are stuck with them!
I noticed that Jessica turned off her IG comments in past 2 days – so I wonder if she worries that this will hurt her own influencer brand as she is all about the adoration/comments on her profile. What will she do without the comments, she breathes for them!! I also wonder if Meghan saw and wanted the lifestyle that Jessica currently has – on TV, free clothes, influencer with lots of freebies and praise, ability to show off her kids and fancy clothes while cashing in on the name to get ahead (not saying Jessica doesn’t work – but the last name helped – as well as her nose and lip job lol – see past-present pictures). Then I wonder if Meghan becomes bigger than Jessica (Sussex Royal obviously already have more followers) if Jessica will be jelly that her fashion etc. profile takes a dive when people want Meghan. No doubt we will see th smug Mulroneys on vacay with the one day. Like Lainey said, Meghan is a celebrity by nature and they ALL want attention and Royal Life is attention with rules – maybe speaking with Jessica she was like “I got the fame, but it’s restricted – I want what she is having but BIGGGER!!” She did run a blog herself! She is the original Jessica!
These are the questions I want to know hahah – silly yes but the whole Royal-fame game is all about hits and adoration and I find that part fascinating!
Totally agree on Ben & Jessica, up their own asses. He is so freaking cringy and is one of the worst to cover red carpets I’ve ever seen. I switch off when he comes on. Can’t pronounce designer names properly and the way he fawns over people annoys me.
I don’t know/care much about her really but he drives me nuts. His ego and arrogance shines through every time he’s on TV, can’t stand him. He he only got that job because of his last name, certainly not due to talent or anything. Yes, sorry – bitter today lol.
Agree!! SO many people I know can’t stand him on Etalk or Your Morning and won’t watch it but all say “he got that job because of the last name, he is CTV’s pet”.
Harry supposedly has something scheduled for Thursday. Wonder if he will attend?
Also according to some obscure law the reigning monarch actually has legal custody, if they are minors, to the first 10 in line of succession. There is some debate whether they have to be grandchildren which would exclude Archie for now until Charles becomes King. This was royal reporters so take that with a grain of salt. Also I doubt they would do anything, but it did make me wonder if this is part of the reason Archie isn’t in the U.K. Sad if true.
Well that certainly applied to Fergie, when she went to live in the US. The Queen had custody of Bea and Eug, so Fergie couldn’t take them with her. Maybe that no longer applies, I don’t know.
The Queen allowed the plan of Fergie, Beatrice, and Eugenie moving to Switzerland when Bea was 10. They were supposed to live in a house given to Fergie by her ex Paddy McNally. A scandal at the boarding school, where Roger Moore and other celebrities sent their kids, was the reason it didn’t happen. But Fergie was given permission to move the girls out of the UK and raise them elsewhere.
I don’t think that would go down well in 2020. Meghan is still an American citizen and it would look bad if the Queen is seen as holding her baby hostage. They have enough issues to deal with.
I can’t speak for every state, but California has the strength of Social Services in California where I live. Child welfare is taken seriously and the Royals would need to take legal action and have cause to remove a child from a parent.
never under estimate the power of the petty
Two things: I wonder if Meghan is going to make any appearances in Canada while Harry is still in the UK.
I also hope (for their optics) that the queen or Phillip do not pass away during these next few weeks. Most media will probably attribute it to a “died of a broken heart” due to the H & M situation.
Your second paragraph…you’re so right. But I think that if Philip or Elizabeth pass away in 5 years the story will be “he/she never recovered from what Harry and Meghan did in leaving 5 years ago.” Ugh.
This entire thing is William’s fault.
I promise lol
I’m the other Mar…
I can’t help but think Diana would have been horrified by all of this. She was stalked by the paps and I’m sure she would have been supportive of the idea of them leaving; However, I also think she would be really sad and dissapointed with the state of William and Harrys relationship.
Yeah I’m puzzled by all of the social media gifs of Diana dancing in delight over all this. She wanted the boys to be close and she also wanted them to be close to their father. And yeah I know I know, it’s all William’s fault blah blah blah but I think she would still find the situation sad.
And she also had been burned by the “old men” or “men in suits” or whatever she called the old BP courtiers, and would be concerned that Harry wasn’t going to ultimately get burned by them himself, even more than they had already.
Diana is partly to blame for this. for Harry putting up with being the whipping boy for 35 years. She always told Harry he had to support William 100% no matter what. This was her own emotional issue, after her brother refused to let her live at Althorp after the divorce. She made Harry promise to always kowtow and support William. She should have realized William was as emotionally manipulative and abusive as she was, but she chose not to.
I’m mildly interested in the Royals, but all this coverage is too much. I’m royally exhausted, and most of any media coverage is just guessing and speculation because the Firm is so buttoned up.
As for people saying Harry and Meghan should be stripped of their titles, just ask them whether all the Yorks should be stripped of their titles and move away from Royal Lodge. The silence will be deafening or you will experience a merry go round of questions and answers. No matter the politeness in writing people reveal who they are.
Were all the before in line of succession heirs to be eliminated and I was Harry, I would never ever take over. People wonder why the Queen supports Andrew with all his shenanigans. It is because his behaviour is very much in character ……..Saville, Epstein, Weinstein and others not so well publicly known. Rose bush affair for them it is just “yawn” so long as appearances are kept.
But the courtiers have a solid and reputable background on stupidity: they are sloooow, they are blockheads, snooty, don’t like changes and are absolutely unfit for the 21 th Century. I was out of my chair when I realized a conference call could be taking place!
What’s the tea with the jewels? She’s not wearing her engagement ring or bands in the photos? I vaguely remember William disallowing her to borrow from the queen but did she have to give Diana’s diamonds back?
I think she’s one of those women who sometimes wear their engagement/wedding rings and sometimes don’t.
@ Johou
you mean the photos in this article from when they visited Canada House? It’s not so clear in these photos, but if you google others from that visit you will see she is wearing both her engagement ring and wedding band in those.
It doesn’t matter how petty William wants to be. The diamonds in Meghan’s engagement ring came from Diana as part of the inheritance left to Harry. They are not part of the crown jewels, are not crown property, are totally out of William’s control.
FYI Jessica Mulroney is daughter in law of Canada’s past premier Brian Mulroney. Her husband Ben is a tv host for ET Canada. I’m sure she’s a reliable friend
I think she’s proven herself to be a reliable friend thus far and has been discreet. If she had divulged anything the friendship would have been over long ago. As for Ben – he’s with etalk, not ET Canada (not there’s much difference in the calibre of the show lol).
They will be stripped of those titles. Boss move? Lawd. They just look like dicks. All of them.
@HeHe
We don’t know what’s going to happen from hereon, they’re still working it out. But as far as we know they’re still going to be doing royal work for the Queen, so i highly doubt they’ll be stripped of any titles.
Is you read the sussexroyal website you’ll see all H&M want is to work more, not use taxpayer funding, and not be bullied and misinterpreted by the Royal Rota. They had been trying to work out terms with Harry’s fam for some time until their negotiations were leaked by someone in it. So how does any of that make Harry and Meghan “dicks” as well?
Eh, it seems like they don’t care any way. Harry and Meghan will be just fine. They’ve got a LOT of wealthy people on their side. Worry about the two entitled maybe future monarchs William and Kate who will have to do the brunt of the “work” lol! Meghan will not be mentally enslaved by the establishment. White folks love having brown folks in the background doing the hard work, being the brains yer taking all of the credit. But Meghan is like “not today, not this year, and never”! If y’all don’t like it, who cares? Suck it up and go cry your snowflake tears elsewhere.
They wont/cant wak away completely. Financially they cant afford to. Security costs them to the tunes of millions. How many famous friends will pick up the tab for that and for how long?
When working for the crown, they will be funded by the Queen (SG), when working across the atlantic/personal work, Charles is going to cover their expenses. Given this structure, expect gag clauses. There isnt going to be a book deal on Royal Life or appearances to discuss it.
I think they always wanted independence which is why they separated from KP, but then received the same push back From BP because the Heir is the priority. Idk. I feel like they wouldve been fine to continue work under BP with restricions and all if they had received SOME support. No one wants to throw fam under the bus unless something really egregious happens.
According to an article in The Times today, Sussexes annual security costs — as they are seen as high profile targets — is around £600,000
I read another one that said millions and thats believable because the both of them need their own security details especially when theyre separate locations.. like right now while one is in Canada and the other in the UK.
All this is such BS i swear. Idk how any of the royals justify their costs with a straight face. They go in to charity events, spend hundreds of thousand dollars to raise probably less than what they spent. And we are supposed to hoo haa over all the ‘hard’ work they do. Enjoy them for the good gossip they are, thats all.
Interesting article about the dukes of England and how tax payers subaidize them even if they are not part of the royal family. For all those crying to take titles and monies away.
The duchIea of Cornwall and Lancaster which provide for the queen and prince of Wales, are private. I imagine If somehow royals were dethroned, negotiations would be held, but they would still be extremely wealthy and would held private land so everyone would live in style.
The other dukes and other tltled people also get benefits. I laugh when people want Harry and his family ti be demonized and thrown to the wolves. Do see that they are far from the only ones benefiting from the system.
https://whoownsengland.org/2017/05/08/the-dukes-their-tax-breaks-an-8million-annual-subsidy/
They are more than welcome to come to Canada but not if any of the associated costs are a burden to taxpayers here. I know nothing official has come out about that but an article in today’s Globe said that “….if Prince Harry and Ms. Markle spend more time in Canada, Canadians would likely have to pay the cost of their protection.”
I can’t see Meghan ever stepping foot in the UK again. The Royal Family and the press have been vile. No human being should ever have to put up with what has been thrown at her. I hope Normal Bill chokes on the consequences of what he set in motion.
Hardball with Chris Mathews has Martin Lewis British satirist on speaking about the Sussexes leaving, and he’s making some great points about racism and the U.K. Originally I thought this story really wasn’t drowning in racism, but listening to him he makes good points and even with a crazy family I’m thinking most of the reason they are leaving is the press and the overt racism. I feel like Meghan is probably used to the passive aggressive racism. It’s not like the US doesn’t have that, but generally we don’t have multiple people in the media saying directly Archie looks like a monkey and not immediately being fired. I think I’d leave too. He also said a lot of Brits are as angry and direct as Gervais was. It’s that kind of bullying humor. Even if you liked Gervais you have to admit all the time and not justified at all would be hard. I’m a bit shocked this kind of thinking is as pervasive in the UK. I realize just as in the US these type of people aren’t the majority, but they are loud.
I keep coming back to this very basic fact that they have a child to protect. Harry has lived through that, he wants no part of it for their child(ren), and who could blame him? Obviously he and Meghan are putting the well being of their family first, exactly as they should do!
It’s very pervasive. I’m Irish and lived in England for about 10 years. It was very difficult being Irish there. I am fortunate to have a very neutral accent and sound more English than Irish, but I had an awful time with my English father-in-law who never failed to miss an opportunity to make an anti-Irish comment. Can only imagine how bad it would be to be black or Asian. Not everyone is racist of course, but there is a strong undercurrent of it.
I understand. Irish people have really suffered at the hands of the English.
Archie being in Canada could be put to him having an ear infection and unable to fly. It’s pretty common for teething babies to get ear infections.
I think they will like Canada. Canadian media are very friendly to their “celebs” and aren’t as. sensationalist as the UK and US media. Celebs are mostly left alone with most photos taken by pedestrians for social media, not by rabid paparazzi. So many live undetected unless they are promoting something.
How happy is pedo Andy right now.
Eugenie is gonna get anything she wants now.
I remember Serena Williams statements a couple weeks ago the different types of abuse, but she had never thought their was thing called financial abuse where one’s safety and mental state was at risk. Being forced to stay in an unsafe environment because of monetary funds. I wonder who she was talking about. Just a thought.
Please. She was referring to battered women, the ones with sunglasses on to hide the black eye.
I wonder if anyone else has looked at all this and thought “it’s no wonder Will waited so long to get engaged, he wanted to make sure Kate could cope with the attention, given what had happened to his mother.”
But I guess not on here.
Will waited so long to get engaged to Kate because he kept hoping to find someone better. Let’s not forget him jumping up and down on a table after one of their break ups yelling, “I’m free!!” Isabelle, Jecca, et al. weren’t interested in marrying him. Kate waited (hence the Waity Katey nickname) while he tried to find another. Had Kate had any self-worth, she would have moved on when she was dumped the third/fourth/fifth time. But it all paid off because she finally got Diana’s ring and is everyone’s perfect princess!
William settled for a woman and her status-hungry family who would let him get away with anything, including public cheating, in exchange for a wedding ring.
LOL. It’s what Cambridge stans so desperately want people to believe but the facts are facts: Kate was his last resort. She was never his first, second, or third choice. And no matter how miserable either of them are in their marriage, they are well and truly stuck in it now. If William thinks he’d be able to leave Kate after bullying his brother and sister-in-law out of the family, he’s even dumber than we all thought. He’s just guaranteed that he will have to be VERY careful with his image as a married man, because the Firm will not tolerate another Rose-like rendezvous for the media to sniff out.
@FLAVIAOCTIAVIA
Absolutely. Any woman these men chose would be a punching bag for any and all opinions to be projected onto them with no striking back or speaking up for one’s self. An unenviable position.
I do hope Meghan and Harry take a break to nurture themselves and their relationship. They have been through such upheavals in a short time while Kate and William have 20 years together under their belts.
@Flaviaoctiavia
Cambridge fans need to get their stories straight. Usually the excuse is Kate is not lazy she’s just shy and that’s why she sucks at public speaking—but now you’re saying she’s always been “capable to cope with the attention.”
We know she’s been with William on-and-off since University (that wasnt him “waiting to get engaged,” that was him exploring other options) and married to him for about 8 years but it’s only now in the years since Meghan entered the picture that “Kate had come into her own”—now, at almost 40 yrs old, now is when she’s been able to carry out her duties “correctly”—which is again contradiction if you want us to believe she’s always been “able to cope” and that William saw that before he married her, then how come it’s taken her so long to finally be basic at her role?
Let’s be clear here, Kate is not able to cope any better than Meghan is. Is just that Kate is fine with being a doormat, and specially easy for her now to be in her role since the British tabloids are now off her back and on Meghan’s. Kate is “able to cope” now because they’re throwing someone else under the bus harder than they ever did her.
Yes, if I were Kate I would be looking at this situation and thinking, price I paid is waaaayyyyy too high…
I hope she gets ideas….
The thing that blows my mind is you cannot tell me that the moment Harry ans Meghan got on the plane back from Canada the Rf was not aware that they didn’t have Archie with them! Surely protection officers/pilot/security/leaky internal flunky would have shared this info. And it’s a LONG flight. How were the RF ducks not in a row for this? And then we have M and H visiting their patronage’s and the Canada house and no one in the RF wonders why they didn’t bring the kid back? (Yes if the baby had a earache you would have just stayed w him an extra few days in Canada). The RF knew the second they took off from Canada that something was up. Why are they now acting surprised?
They might have taken separate flights, a logical thing for parents of a young child to do.
Absolutely, just it would seem that someone on their security team would have put two and two together. The general public would have no idea, but surely someone back in RF security is responsible for tracking everyone’s travel? Obviously Archie can travel as “child in arms” but there’s some weirdness there, esp if they didn’t take public flights…
Why assume their security staff are leaking details about them to other royal houses? They have been extremely good at staying under the radar in their travels. They could arrive separately by commercial flight, to the privacy wing at the airport as they’ve done for three years. No one knew where they were for the last six weeks – until William leaked it.
William is a vile ass but how do we know for sure he leaked anything? EVen though they stayed in a secluded area, they would have had to come into contact with people at various points during their stay.
How do we know for sure? Because the leak came when William needed a distraction from all the furor around Kate shrugging off his hand on television. Leaks always coincide with William needing a distraction ie. Turnip toff drama or when the Sussexes are getting too much adulation ie. after their south seas tour.
I just watched “Age of Innocence” last night! 🙂
It’s a fave!
The leaks had to come from either William, Charles or TQ’s camp. I would find it difficult to support that Harry/Meghan leaked to the Sun when they clearly dislike the British Media. Also I believe they wanted to negotiate from a position of strength. There announcement went around the world and it was on their terms. The RF was caught off guard and was also now negotiating from a weak position. Had William (who I believe was the leaker) had the chance to position them as unhinged and felt they needed to step down as Senior Royals, Harry/Meghan would be screwed. The final outcome will be telling. When it’s all said and done the RF doesn’t look good and the British press looks worst. Harry/Meghan will take some hints on this but I believe that most people enjoy a good love story and enjoy a strong comeback against all odds. They will eventually win the battle of public opinion if they take the right steps moving forward. Besides if within 2 to 3 years they are financially independent and still supporting the Monarch without the baggage of the press it’s a win for all involved…except the British Press (the true cause of all of this mess)
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-harry-meghan-canada-1.5423395
CBC just did an analysis of their various options for immigration, funding etc. Good read for those who are interested in what the Canadian experts actually have to say…
I really was hoping to get useful objective info from it but because of the language of the article I can’t take it as not biased anymore. It mentioning that Harry and Meghan “EXPECT” Canadians taxpayers to fund their security, and that Harry is not in the Queen’s “good graces” or that all they wanna do is shell out merchandise off the Sussex Royal brand”—that’s when it gets into tabloid-y territory for me, it seems negative and one-sided pov, even though it totally brushes over the fact that most Canadians seem to be supportive of the move (i.e. the poll). Once again, no one consulted in this article has any idea how the royals mean to work this out, but the writer uses that uncertainty to turn it into a negative piece.
I was expecting something more definitive regarding security costs. While they are most welcome here, we don’t want to pay for any of the inherent costs – including security.
The royals (including the Sussexes) have no idea how any of this is going to work either. Hence why they were asked not to announce anything until it had all been worked out. Thats where the big scramble comes from. Everything they said they wanted/ were going doing was all hypothetical. Nobody had a chance to work out how or even if it was possible.
Most likely they wouldn’t have released anything if it was in preliminary stages if there hadn’t been that leak. Maybe the final result would have been different if hammered out in secrecy. But because the leak blew that out of the water, Harry and Megan were forced to reveal their plans sooner than expected to contain the negative spin from the palace and the media.
Don’t they need this plan for the future of slimming down the monarchy anyway? It’s unfortunate that this has to be so dramatic. At least it’s getting a structure in place before the next generation comes into these waters.
I dont understand this at all. Their side is saying that they never had any plans to release this yet, but did so only after The Sun’s report on their plans. A report the Suns been working on since December, but yet the Sussexes only told Charles and the Queen about their plans in the New Year. So someone from their side must have leaked it. Also if they never had any plans to release this early, why leave Archie behind in Canada. Why the plan to fly back so soon if there was never meant to be an announcement this soon?!. Where they planning on going and forth every weekend or something? Somethings not adding up here.
As I understand, they told Charles and the Queen BEFORE going on Holiday, and were told to go and cool off, they did not present anything written down for fear of a leak. They went back, and after phone calls/emails, and they had to present their written proposal to charles, , which they did (most probably with copies to other senior royals.
And Boom, leak! Of course they were expecting this could happen, as leaks have happened before. Wootton has real personal ties with PR men in the Kensington palaces…so…
article in Harpers Bazaar details the timeline.
Re: Harpers Bazaar article – the author seems to be well-respected and believed whenever he has something to say about the royals, in particular the Sussexes. Do Meghan & Harry provide him with this info or does he have someone “inside” who is willing to spill the beans? They spoke directly to Tom Bradby on camera and he has been identified as a “friend”. Interesting how he seems to know less than Omid Scobie (if Scobie doesn’t know the royals personally).
They state their sources more. I do believe the article because it has not been debunked. Initially the tablod said that the RF had been blindsighted, but after this article, , they did not rebuked it.
@CATH. Hes an official Royal Reporter that covers all their tours and engagements. I was curious about their relationship too, so I found an interview between him and katie Couric. He speaks really positively about the Sussexs and shared a few personal anecdotes about his travels with Prince Harry. He even mentions Prince Harry finding his passport and sending a personal protection officer to the airport with it so Scobie wouldnt miss his flight back. So they probably arent “friends” but there seems to be some sort of respect and relationship there. And as far as I can tell, he has printed anything incorrect about them yet.