Last month, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were thrown off of all of their royal patronages and honorary positions given to them by the Queen. The Queen had made Harry and Meghan president and vice-president of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, and they had been something like roving Commonwealth Youth ambassadors for the short time they were part of the QCT. They had the full support of the QCT’s chief executive, Nicola Brentnall. Brentnall apparently agreed with the Sussexes that part of the QCT’s purview should be addressing the history of British colonialism, especially since (derp) colonialism is the whole reason why the “commonwealth” exists. Well, Brentnall was apparently pushed out. And because people love to make asses out of themselves, someone provided some ridiculous quotes to the Eden Confidential column in the Daily Mail:
Just six weeks after Prince Harry and Meghan were stripped of their cherished roles as president and vice-president of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, I hear of another dramatic departure. I can disclose that the group’s chief executive, Nicola Brentnall, has left her role amid claims that she was too much of a ‘cheerleader’ for the California-based Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Brentnall is also said to have caused anger by her involvement in Harry and Meghan’s infamous video chat last summer when they linked the Queen’s beloved Commonwealth to slavery.
‘It’s fair to say that some important people felt it was better that she moved on,’ a source tells me. ‘We are an organisation that’s meant to celebrate the Commonwealth, yet she was letting, or even encouraging, Harry and Meghan to make it sound like we’re some backward movement stuck in a racist, colonial past.’
In their video call with young leaders, the Sussexes said the Commonwealth must acknowledge past ‘wrongs’ in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, even if it is ‘uncomfortable’, as they discussed historical injustice, unconscious bias and racism. They claimed that otherwise it would be impossible for the ‘family of nations’ to progress. This enraged courtiers, who pointed out that the Commonwealth was an organisation member states had joined voluntarily and had no ‘uncomfortable’ past. The Queen is head of the Commonwealth and sees it as one of the greatest successes of her reign.
A spokesman insists that Brentnall’s time as boss has not been cut short.
‘In 2016, Nicola Brentnall committed to serve for five years as chief executive of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust. With the team, she has taken the organisation from inception to being a recognised and respected youth organisation, ready to expand its grant-making and support programme to the next level. Happily, she remains with us in a consulting role until June and will always be a member of Team QCT.’
“Yet she was letting, or even encouraging, Harry and Meghan to make it sound like we’re some backward movement stuck in a racist, colonial past…” These salty white folks are really out here acting like the “real problem” is anyone mentioning racism and colonialism huh?? Every time these people speak, it’s a reminder of the parallel universe in which the British press and British monarchy operates, like no one will ever call them on their bullsh-t. So parochial. But whatever, this goes along with everything else – apparently, no one is allowed to be friends with Harry and Meghan anymore, or share the same frame of reference with H&M. And no one can EVER mention racism.
Photos courtesy of Backgrid, Avalon Red and WENN.
That family is mentally unwell…Too much of a cheerleader??? Acknowledge your colonial and imperialist past ugh… I am so glad and grateful the Sussexes left the UK.
It’s not just that family. I’ve heard people who otherwise supported Harry and Meghan, turn on them when the couple revealed the racism within the royal family itself, and reminded everyone that racism is endemic to British colonialism. Nothing white people (including “liberals”) hate more than being reminded that racism isn’t just something in the PAST, but is still here and now, and THEY are part of the racist institution. Then they get all defensive and start attacking the messenger.
But the Commonwealth literally is a movement stuck in a racist, colonial worldview…..
I am gaaaaaaaging! I just don’t understand how why these people are so evil and bad at gaslighting. They have had hundreds of years to practice on us peasants!
Like, “the flag waving” people really are indifferent about their asses these days. People are waking up to this bullshit. I am glad.
The UK might have a racist, colonial world view, but I don’t think it’s fair to say that about all the commonwealth countries. Some still have the Queen as their head of state, but they are all independent. Most join for the economic benefits and such. The countries aren’t the ones who need to reconcile what was done to them in the past. They are well aware. It’s the UK’s problem.
Except the CWT barely offers any kind of benefits and its because of the fact that Britain fully ignores their role in colonialism and racism that some of these counteies are strongly in favor of binning her as head of state. Continue down this road and there won’t be a commonwealth anymore to speak of (which would be an improvement imo)
Might? Lololol!
What benefits are there these days? Especially with BREXIT.
There is no commonwealth trade agreement. Some of the small commonwealth countries have agreements, but there is no centralized agreement. I don’t think there are any economic benefits.
Countries do not join the Commonwealth for economic benefits. It is simply a political organisation amongst countries with common historical ties (colonialism). There are no trade agreements and even the few economic programmes are tied with other existing organisations. I see it as mostly an advocacy organisation that promote sustainability, peace and security etc. Maybe with UK, out of the EU, their international aid programme will focus on the Commonwealth, but that’s a maybe. I’m sure Brexiters wouldn’t like that.
What economic benefits, Ainsley? I live in Canada, and I fail to see these benefits you speak of.
Canada has better trade agreements with the US than they do with the UK or any other commonwealth country.
Here with everyone else to say, having lived in at least two commonwealth countries, the benefits are nonexistent for the countries in question. Based on how hot the UK is about it, I always assumed it DID benefit them.
“We are very much not a racist empire…”
That’s really good and spot on.
Before the last couple of years, wherein I became a royal sociologist via Twitter and Celebitchy, when I thought my of African country being part of the Commonwealth I rarely thought the Queen or of the UK, I thought of the Caribbean and parts of Asia, and I thought it was cool that we had this crazy historical bond of being colonized then fighting for our independence and staying friends. There are so many similarities in our government structures and school systems, I felt like we were all cousins 😀 also I think we have some looser visa restrictions amongst each other because of it, plus lots of academic scholarships etc.
I really had no idea what it meant to the Queen. But now that I do, I’m like, do more? St Vincent has had a volcano on the verge of erupting and it’s been mostly crickets from the UK. They gave a bit of money a couple of days ago I think.
The volcano in St Vincent has been erupting for over a week now. We got a letter from the queen saying thanks and lots of thoughts and prayers.
The World Central Kitchen that Harry and Meghan has partnered with is doing good work in St Vincent.
On the verge of erupting? La Soufiere erupted more than a week ago. And I think they were sent a hundred thousand pound or some nonsense. The Queen and monarchy don’t give a shit about the commonwealth, no matter what they claim.
The only reason britain still clings so leech-like to being “Head of the Commonwealth” is that its the only thing they can point to as the monarch’s (mainly betty’s) legacy; its the only thing that gives britain a sense of importance….of still being a global player in today’s world.
And the only reason the windsors are still “head” of the CWealth is that betty and her henchmen USED the marriage of H&M as proof that theyre forward-looking/modern/very much a part of the 21st century. See…..as soon as she got the Heads of Govts to accept charles as the next Head of the CWealth, they proceeded to push H&M out of the RF.
Unlike the EU and many similar organization of nations, nothing thats agreed at the meeting of the Heads is binding on any of the member-nations of the CWealth. Its just an old body that continues on merely as a bad habit. Its focus on young people (offering them scholarships, grants and other opps) is just to keep them on side.
Heres something to watch: when they vote out charles as Head of the CWealth at the next meeting (June this yr) I strongly believe britain will feel much less inclined to champion “the Commonwealth” as often as they do now.
“the Commonwealth was an organisation member states had joined voluntarily and had no ‘uncomfortable’ past” what the literally F. Well, good to know we’re right in wanting this farce of a monarchy stuck in the past to end.
They’re gonna lose the Commonwealth, and they will deserve every second of their future irrelevance.
These people who are trying to defending the Commonwealth don’t know their own history. Yes, the former colonies joined voluntarily but because they were promised that they would get financial and technical aid after independence. It is the main reason why the former colonies remain in the Commonwealth. As for Nicola Brentnall, all the signs says she was pushed out. After the news came out that she was forced to step down last month, she tweeted that she was grateful for everyone’s support.
The fact that many (all?) Commonwealth countries are former colonies first inhabited by black and brown people speaks for itself! If we can’t name racism, we can’t right racism. The conversation needs to keep focusing on acknowledgement and repair, which is what Harry and Meghan were saying—in the context of historical injustices, unconscious bias, etc. It’s not about shaming anyone for “being racist” (even if they are) — it’s about moving forward.
I recently read that 30% of Brits still think colonialism was a net benefit to the countries colonized.
30% is still a big amount of people. Disgusting. At least I’m glad that it’s less than half, I wonder the age rage of the people who think that?
30% is outrageously high. 1% would be outrageously high.
Isn’t that ca the same % who thinks Willnot should be the next king? And thinks he is a great man? Sadly every country in the world seems to have a group of less intelligent, racist ass holes.
Well, the UK embassy in Indonesia got dragged pretty badly yesterday for saying happy birthday to the Queen and remembering the birthday of Ibu R. A. Kartini, who was a hero for Indonesian women championing education and fighting against the colonizers. That should tell them that this “We are an organization that’s meant to celebrate the Commonwealth, yet she was letting or even encouraging, Harry and Meghan to make it sound like we’re some backward movement stuck in a racist, colonial past” is not just Nicola, Harry or Meghan feeling this. The whole world is screaming to the UK that the Commonwealth is a movement stuck in their colonist past, they are just not quite getting the message clearly.
They just proved they are a backward movement stuck in the past by failing to acknowledge britains role in colonialism and racism. Im mean if you want to show you can move forward from that why not just address it?
The UK prefers that people not remember the bad parts of their own history.
Addressing it raises the question of reparations and I’m guessing the British government would like to avoid that.
Thats it in a nutshell.
And avoid emptying British museum and the queens treasure chambers for looted goods. The crowns and tiaras won’t look good without the big looted bling.
Oops replied to wrong comment
Exactly how do people decide what to believe and what not to believe? It is a story about someone being booted from their position who it appears is not being booted from their position.
Jellybean, the fact that she thanked people for their support is telling IMO. This is going to come back to bite them big time. I keep wondering if the heads of the Commonwealth countries could talk to each other about getting together under a different umbrella organization and leaving the Commonwealth? If I understand this, the British Empire became the British Commonwealth. I think that says it all. The UK still thinks of itself as an Empire. I just think these countries can help each other better if the UK was completely out of it. I would really be interested in hearing what others here think about that. I’m American so I’m sure I don’t get all of the nuances.
So basically they are saying the Commonwealth should shut up and be GRATEFUL they were colonized by the British, and that they get to pay to have some colonizers come and wave at them during royal visits.
Do the royals think that they can just traipse over to say, Nigeria or South Africa or India wearing stolen jewels, pat some native kids on the head, and give a few speeches post Sussexit without anybody questioning them about Meghan and Harry?
Lord, these people really think that. Oh dear. I imagine all of the communications directives will be “Don’t ask Will-di Amin or K Guevara about Harry and Meghan!” Do they think everyone will follow those directions? What will Top CEO do if someone asks her an off-the-cuff question? Faint? Cry? Royal Barbie can’t string three words together without help! If she says “oh, how interesting” to a child who has been maimed to make him a more pitiful beggar, how is that going to look next to Meghan making off-the-cuff speeches on women’s issues?
The royals may be able to stage manage their image in the UK, with the UK media pretending these buck ass naked emperors are wearing clothes. Will it work overseas? Are we seeing the beginning of the end of the foreign commonwealth tours?
I think the Cambridges, if they travel at all, will stick to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and western Europe.
Didn’t Australia turn down a royal tour during the wildfire period? Post covid with financial strain on countries, are any of them going to want an expensive royal tour? What’s the point of them? Have any of the countries benefited from the tours any more than most charities benefit from royal patrons?
Meghan and harry’s South Pacific tour was wildly successful. And i read somewhere that thd couple coming to Dubbo, generated 1 million for the town. I also think that william and kates first tour to Australia with george was successful. So i’d say that they can be very beneficial for a country. But there should be interest in the couple who comes.
The country that’s hosting them has to cover the cost of their visit, so it’s not surprising that Australia turned them down after the wild fires. They know the Keens would do absolutely nothing except leave an expensive bill behind for them to pay.
I’m not surprised that harry and meghans tour was profitable to them. It’s probably why the Keens got so mad afterwards.
I also remember reading once that harry was the most requested royal by charities (pre Meghan). Not surprised at all.
“So basically they are saying the Commonwealth should shut up and be GRATEFUL they were colonized by the British, and that they get to pay to have some colonizers come and wave at them during royal visits.”
What really needs to happen is that Commonwealth of Nations needs to just kick the UK out of the organization and carry on with their own agenda not the UK’s. Of course when Scotland becomes independent, Scotland can be admitted as a former colony of the UK just all the rest of the member nations in the Commonwealth.
They really do think that. Don’t seem to have noticed that Commonwealth Day isn’t recognised outside the UK. Whole UK establishment seems to be very, very invested in denying the historical truth of colonisation, slavery and robbery.
I’d love to see the other Commonwealth countries play hardball in the FTA negotiations they’re so desperate for post-Brexit, and make reparations for colonial genocide and asset-stripping part of the deal.
“It’s fair to say that some important people felt it was better that she move on” Oh really? Some important people? Could it be the same important person that dropped his ex-friend Tom Bradby for being too pro-Sussex because he refrained from maligning them in the press? Dictator moves to match that other brother military cover picture. It’s really kinda scary. If you don’t publicly disavow my brother, off with your job and your reputation will be ruined by my press friends.
I agree with you.
I’m guessing these same ‘important people’ have reconsidered the need for a diversity person and possibly, we’ll be hearing that the new PR people have decided to “move on” before even starting.
It’s plausible Nicola did decide to move on thinking she couldn’t honestly work with whoever Harry & Meghan’s replacements will be.
It appears the brains of these ‘important people’ are challenging osmium in being the densest material on earth.
These people and they denial of racism and colonialism makes me sick to my stomach
Why does the BRF and BM always consciously choose not to see what’s right in front of them?
The Washington Post today has a story titled “Pervasive Racism Found in Lack of Commemoration for Non-White Troops Fighting in Britain’s Wars.” But, yeah, no racism in Britain’s colonial past.
Yes, the series, “My Grandparents’ War” is all white people when we know that people from colonies all over the planet fought in both WW1 and WW2. Am I supposed to think that no Brit of Asian or African descent had a grandparent who fought in the British Army?
Jeez, even Bedknobs and Broomsticks has a more accurate depiction of history. Admittedly, mainly for the sake of a ‘let’s gawk at the funny foreigners’ dance break, but still!
Yikes, the white fragility of these people is really something.
You’re legit doing a service to the world by calling all this BS out. Keep up the good work!
I’m sorry?? THEY linked the commonwealth to slavery? How dare they state fact! Grab your pearls (which were probably taken from a country we colonised).
This reminds me of one of my favourite tweet thread responses:
‘Name something that feels British but isn’t’ – ‘pretty much everything in the British Museum.’
https://twitter.com/cubeapril/status/1327233844894982145?lang=en
‘It’s fair to say that some important people felt it was better that she moved on,’ a source tells me. ‘We are an organisation that’s meant to celebrate the Commonwealth, yet she was letting, or even encouraging, Harry and Meghan to make it sound like we’re some backward movement stuck in a racist, colonial past.’
By recognizing the very real history and truth of what happened?? The very important “very much Not” racist people?? (Serious eye roll🙄)
That entire paragraph says everything!
@ Tampa Bay OMG I LOVE your sideways thinking!! What a great idea!
Kick out the UK and keep calm and carry on~
SUPER great idea. I’m going to start pushing it for Canada!
“…who pointed out that the Commonwealth was an organisation member states had joined voluntarily and had no ‘uncomfortable’ past.:
The gaslighting is strong with this one.
Embarrassing, but I really just started to understand how the Commonwealth works very recently. The more I understand it, the more I can see that this campaign to smear Meghan was far more nefarious than just her making Kate look bad. This is about silencing her Black, liberal perspective (read: admitting racism exists) and trying to keep her from influencing Harry as well. I’m so glad they got out of there, but I’m scared for them honestly.
Marie55, the good thing about the work that H&M have already done with the Commonwealth countries will not disappear. Once the jeannie is out of the bottle, you can’t just shove it back in again. The Commonwealth is composed of independent countries (I don’t care who their head of state is), and they are not going to let this go–it’s much too important. I can’t help thinking that this one thing in particular is going to be the downfall of the British Commonwealth. I don’t know if they’ll kick the UK out, but I would encourage them to leave the Commonwealth and establish a new umbrella organization to do the work THEY want to do. IMO that would include educating those who are uneducated about their slave histories and how their countries were looted, and asking for their jewels, etc. back. Let the UK continue to be the elitist, racist and xenophobic establishment it is. Then it will be up to the UK to determine whether to move with the world or fade away. Oh it won’t happen overnight, but it will be interesting to see what it’s like in 30 years–and where it’s headed.
And there go more Countries from the Commonwealth just wait and see. Good job there, royalists.
It’s time for the monarchy to go into mothballs.