Well, were we expecting this? I was not. I was not expecting this so soon after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex returned from their six-week Canadian holiday. It seems like Meghan and Harry did some deep thinking about their future and what kind of life they want to lead together. And basically, Harry has decided to give up royal life – his birthright, for goodness sake – for love. I was not expecting this on a Wednesday afternoon in January, but here we are. From their Instagram:
“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution. We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.”
“It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment. We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages. This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity. We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties. Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support.”
– The Duke and Duchess of Sussex
[From The SussexRoyal Instagram]
What does this mean? In a small sense, it means Prince William won: he successfully bullied his brother out of the country. It means the small-minded, short-sighted British tabloids won too, because they were a large part of the bullying campaign too, in concert with various royal figures and royal press offices. But in the larger sense, the long-term sense, it feels like Harry and Meghan are getting out while the getting is good, you know? They could see the writing on the wall and decided to leave entirely on their terms. There’s still so much to process, I don’t even know. We’ll see.
Update: Buckingham Palace made a terse statement about the Sussexes’ withdrawal, per the Daily Mail: “A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said discussions with the couple on their decision were ‘at an early stage’, adding: ‘We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through.’” LOL, so Harry and Meghan just announced this without telling the Queen? They knew if they gave BP time to prepare, they would be thrown to the wolves. So they did it their own way.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
I am a bit sad because it means we will get to read less about them and definitely shocked. My colleagues said something along the lines ‘Good Riddance’ – smear campaign has been an effective one that’s for sure
I’m sad too because the racist bullies won. On the other hand, the Cambridges are going to have to stand on their own now and no more hiding behind the Sussexes. I am looking forward to watching the Cambridges fail while the Sussexes live their best life.
@Devon – Living in hope!
I hope NastyNilly and WaityKaty both fall flat on their faces
What a den of vipers the BRF is
Good for Harry and Meagan for escaping the cult the way they did
Truly they took control of today’s events
Hope KP was gobsmacked
The Duke of Cambridge and “all relevant parties” aka Kate. The shade here is deserved.
@Wisca, nope, none of the married ins was mentioned; not prince Phillip, nor duchess Camilla and certainly not Kate Middleton. So this has nothing to do with shading Kate.
Remember this title:
The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke and Duchess of Sussex
That’s what I was thinking about. And shade is all about plausible deniability. (The real not co-opted version anyway.) So your response is actually in keeping with my reading.
I think Harry and Megan won and got the win handed to them by the racist bullies personally!
They have an excuse to leave the awful, intrusive, rigid boring life of active senior royals which they don’t enjoy because of the bullies, press, venomous courtiers. (& Get away from wandering Willy and his bullshit, Pedo Andy, the Queen’s racist cousins, and the main succession line family who enable that awful behavior.) And yet will still be thought of as royals by most people anyways, but get live a more normal although posh life. They look happy and relieved. Good for them.
I totally agree! short term its going to be tough but long term it is a very well played, Cambridges on their own and media… ohh… what comes around goes around.
Whoever advices them, and I smell good systematic approach psychologist, did a good job!
Canada is a constitutional monarchy that partakes in parliamentary democracy. This story is about the dynamics within the royal family. Apples and oranges.
Exactly @Well-Wisher.
And I don’t see the big deal about this, anyway. It’s not like it hasn’t been done before.
Princess Anne took the same tactic and stepped down as a senior royal, once Charles was married and had children…if not, sooner. She was able to raise her children out of the public eye, for the most part.
I think that Harry is taking a page out of her playbook, really.
I imagine they will get just as much press as always.
It’s a smart move, to do this in their own way, on their own terms. They must have realized what we all know now, that the BRF are the shadiest of shady oligarchs, and to build their global philanthropy and live their best lives, they will need to distance themselves from that to an extent.
Some of the commenters here express sometimes that they don’t think the BRF will survive after Charles. And they might not. I wonder if this the Sussexes way if prepping for that eventuality?
yep, except this time it will be positive 🙂
Good for them.
Yes!
Of course they did the only sensible decision: they had a baby and I understand their concern with the vicious attacks (I’m not only talking about the Press) and don’t fool yourself if they’d have qualms on putting Archie on the line of fire. I saw many, oh so many comments when Archie was born I can’t write here because I’ll get myself banned.
Since I saw TWO state dinners happening when H&M were convenientely out of the country, I had a bad hunch about their role on RF family.
When MM was pregnant and they were assigned to travel to a country with the risk of zica or dengue (tropical very dangerous viral disease) I got horrified because I know personally the effects of this viruses and no family in their right minds would send a pregnant woman to face it, no matter how many vaccines or profilaxies were provided. Kate WOULD NEVER have been sent there while pregnant.
When the press started saying about the queen sending them to Affrica for good, I was sure KP/BP were on their move to get rid of them.
When BP/KP with full cooperation of William and the coniving silence of Kate started pushing them under the bus, I saw the risk for them of being banned from the country raising to 95%.
And now, it’s done, I think this time they were just 1,5 minutes ahead BP/KP when they broke the news. Of course the queen knew they were thinking about: the royal Way Ahead Group took place in September or early November. Probably Harry discussed about it and how much these attacks were affecting the life of his family.
I see this as more Will/Kate early days with the helicopter job.
They’re stepping down from being “senior” royals, not royal life completely. They’ll go to major events, do some patronage work, but have an outside position as well.
No one’s giving up titles, and they’re only giving up 5% of their royal income; the part not from Charles. After a few years, like Will and Kate, they’ll be back as senior.
No. This is serious. While on first glance it looks like the racists and William have won, the long run will show, that Meghan and Harry will be the winners. They just won’t play along with all that stuffy and outdated palace intrigue. They have a plan, that much is obvious and the RF lost two major ambassadors. The press ist furious, because their bullying campaign actually sold a lot of newspapers. They took that away from them, too.
Nah, they’re stepping away from the role as ‘senior’ royals, which implies they are keeping their titles.
I think Meghan in particular wants more freedom/control over what she does than what the RF allows.
Exactly this.
Ugh, you just know the Wallis Simpson comparisons are coming.
Meghan has been compared to Wallis Simpson since Harry acknowledged their relationship
But the BRF doesn’t work like that. You’re either a working royal or you’re not. There’s not a “half way”
Well, this may fall right into Charlie’s plan to update/slim down the whole works, perhaps? These things aren’t written into law.
Of course there’s a halfway – Eugenie and Beatrice have titles, turn up at family events and do occasional appearances themselves. I read it as him deciding to be more like Diana was after the divorce. She still had a title but she could choose her own causes.
Well… aren’t what they are doing more in line with the York princesses? They are working royals, who still sometimes support the queen. I don’t see why there is so much confusion about this.
Bea and Eug are not working royals. Their charitable work is strictly volunteer.
The York princesses are not working royals at all. They show up at family events as members of the Royal Family. The Sussexes will be more like the Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.
There are a whole lot of them habiting in KP, some work, most don’t work, yet still enjoy all the perks. They are all minor royals. Zara, her brother Peter all do private work, and still live in Palaces. Prince Michael of Kent, Princess Alexander, Duke of Gloucester,Duke of Kent are all minor royals who live in KP, and all of them not working royals. The York girls, all work privately, and are minor royals, including, Prince Edward. I commend them for such a courageous move, it won’t be easy, but as Kaiser said, it will pay off in the long run, and set a precedent for other royals who are far away in line to the throne. as Charlotte and Louie will be. This is the 21st Century, things are changing. The Palace was quick to say they are sad about the whole situation, but never once did they publicly offer support to them. The Media is even angry, that H&M want to work and earn money, after forever crying: taxpayer, taxpayer! Goodluck to them. Now Kate &Will can have all the limelight.
It basically sounds like they’re purposefully taking a “demotion” within the BRF hierarchy from “senior working royals” to “minor working royals,” because the extra freedom is worth it and what is best for their family right now. They’re not quitting the royal family completely and moving away forever and never having anything to do with them again. The main “perk” of being a senior royal is funding from the sovereign grant. But with that funding come a lot of restrictions about what you can do, who you can work with, who you have to tell about it (the royal ROTA), and there are a lot of rules about if/how you’re allowed to make any extra money and how you spend your money. The other “perk” is supposedly the “prestige” of being a senior royal and the respect that’s supposed to be baked into that whether the individual deserves it or not, and that’s what is supposed to make all the restrictions worth it. But this isn’t 1800 anymore, there is no state-wide mandate that one must revere the royal family and think of them as being directly appointed by God to rule over you, so the prestige and respect and protection from the media is hardly there anymore for any senior royal. And Meghan and Harry are being treated with the least amount of respect out of all the royals anyways. And their position as senior royals isn’t affording them any protection. So I doubt they care about being knocked down a level on the unearned prestige o’meter.
This seems like someone who is giving up the job of CEO at a company but who will continue to work with the company as an independent contractor. There will be a lot less stress, things will be more flexible for them and their family, there will be a lot less pressure to be visible for/play nice with the media at all times and people will feel far less entitled to know everything about them. Sure, they’re giving up a salaried position that guaranteed them a certain amount of money, but they might do even better for themselves and their charities on their own volition. They don’t “get” to have everything they do chronicled in the media anymore…..but they also don’t HAVE TO have everything they do chronicled in the media anymore.
Untrue. There is a LOT of middle ground for working royals. Princess Anne is a prime example.
An author wrote this on Twitter and I kinda agree with her assessment:
“What’s funny about the outrage over this? harry has been very clear that he didn’t want the throne, the titles, none of it. That was true long before Meghan was on the scene. It’s just that now he’s far enough out of the line of succession to leave.”
But he’s specifically keeping the title.
Maybe returning a title isn’t that straightforward. He may keep it, but not use it.
They can’t renounce their titles, Harry was born and he will always be a prince, period. The Duke and Duchess title were bestowed by the queen, they have nothing to do with senior royal status. What titles do people want them to give up?
I don’t think that’s true. They could remain a Duke and Duchess but would probably be expected to give up the HRH stylings. The royals show little mercy and if they’ve done this without speaking to the Queen, I’m sure they’re in for a rough ride from all sides.
That being said, it’s probably the best thing for them and everyone else that they cut their ties with the royals in as many ways as possible. I’ve been hoping for a long time that they become financially independent and essentially live as celebrities and charity workers rather than royals.
If they can make it work for them then that’s great. I think the monarchy is on it’s last legs as this white privileged birth right to live off tax payers for minimal effort. Britain, Canada and the commonwealth will do well to treat being Royal as a job and expect much higher standards. If Harry and Meghan want to lead the way, then good on them.
The HRH title is bestowed, if the monarch wants she can strip it away from Meghan, but even so her Majesty has to have a good reason why shes striping that from Harry’s wife. And HM can’t strip HRH from Harry. What people are hoping that the Sussexes will be “punished” and stripped of HRH is not gonna happen; the Duke and Duchess of Windsor kept both theirs even after being exiled. Harry is a grandson of a reigning monarch and son of future monarch. It’s still yet to be decided if he’ll be brother and uncle of a future monarchs so he will always be HRH Prince Henry the Duke of Sussex, period. His wife will remain princess Henry the Duchesses of Sussex untill she decides otherwise, period.
HRH has nothing to do with being a working royal. Beatrice and Eugenie are both HRH and are not working royals.
Wallis did not have an HRH. It was an ongoing issue because the Duke of Windsor wanted desperately for her to have one. Among their friends, he insisted they use HRH for her, but she never legally had HRH.
They are keeping their titles, but in their announcement, they implied that they were moving towards becoming financially independent from the BRF (which, hopefully means the taxpayers money). If that’s the case, as a Canadian, I can only applaud because if they move over here, I don’t want to fund them (we could get rid of the Governor General and the monarchy and be a true republic while we’re at it). It’s a ballsy move that I did not expect quite honestly and if they really do it, they’ll definitely have earned our respect
@Arpeggi, I agree. That is my main gripe with this speculated Canada move is the fact that I don’t want to pay for them. That and the fact that I am not sure how we as a people benefit from more rich folk taking up space and from any attention shed on the monarchy but ¯_(ツ)_/¯ as long as they’re paying and I do agree it’s quite a power move.
Canada is not now nor ever will be a republic. We are a parliamentary democracy. That will not change even if we are no longer monarchists.
There’s tons of info on their website about the changes. Basically they will definitely continue to be royals and carry out official engagements and keep a home in England. But, they want to find a way to (1) relinquish taxpayer funding (which says so much about their ethics) and (2) get rid of the control the tabloids have on their media engagement. The amount of burns inflicted on the British tabloid press in their statement was beautiful.
If they do step back from the royal kitty and earn their own livings 100% (and pay for their own private housing to boot), I will take back my pitchfork sentiments at least about these two.
It’s not just about tax money, tho–it’s the media circus and security garbage that locals in Toronto or Van or wherever will have to deal with. I have a niece a touch older than Archie; I don’t want men in black blocking students, parents, teachers in a hallway in her future downtown Vancouver elementary school, for instance. I’ve dealt with enough veeping/starf*cking in my hometown over the years every time “we need security so move back, peasant” people come through. H&M will bring chaos to their corner for at least a few more years, and I feel bad for any localscin their orbit.
@Joanne a country can be a republic and have a parliamentary system, see the Republic of Ireland or Finland for instance (or Israel though theirs is not an example I’d want to follow). There’s absolutely no reason that justifies having the UK monarch as our head of state and to pay for provincial and federal governors. We could even let go of the monarchy and remain part of the Commonwealth, other countries have done it.
I really hope that this inspired other royals to follow the fame path and make their own money rather than relying on tax payers. However I worry that instead the royals will completely cut Harry and Meghan off out of spite.
Arpeggi, that may be true but we are not a republic. We could choose to no longer have a monarchy but we’re still a parliamentary democracy. That’s what we are and will remain. Abolishing the monarchy doesn’t change our current method of government. You can cite Ireland or Finland but that’s not our method of government. Our power relies on the rule of majority not on a charter such as the U.S. That makes us a democracy. To become a republic would be to change our system of governing.
They’ve made it clear that they don’t want to receive any money from the Civil List since that’s what the British press claim gives them the right to scrutinize them. The Prince of Wales will cover the costs of the duties they will perform as minor royals. They will basically be like The Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.
There is no Civil List, it is now the Sovereign Grant.
Receiving funding from The Duchy is taxpayer funding, as ultimately the Duchy belongs to the people not to Charlie Windsor. If he wants to fund them out of his own personal pocket, which was emptied by Diana, he can do that. Any Duchy funding would be cut off by William anyway, the second HM passes and William becomes Duke of Cornwall.
There is a definite power struggle going on. Buckingham Palace has issued a statement saying lots of things still to be decided and it’s very early days. This announcement seems to have been rushed for some reason, it has not been thought through. There is a lot more to this story obviously and it is very messy indeed.
I think the research into their lawsuits with the press may have revealed some very ugly truths to the Sussexes about the Queen, Prince Charles, and William using them — especially Meghan — as cannon fodder. (I’ve always thought William’s comments to Harry were probably much uglier and more extensive than just the reportedly, bland statement of “aren’t you rushing this a bit.”) There were also rumors that they had been isolated and no one was checking in on them and how they were doing around the time they were interviewed on the TV special. I’m guessing they barely heard from anyone over the holidays. So — if they are nothing to the family except cannon fodder, then a healthy round of applause to them for making and announcing their decision and not giving this wolf pack time to tear them apart privately. I don’t think the Queen, Charles, or William deserved a heads up.
The Wootton story forced their hand according to Tom Bradby. But the website is really detailed so clearly they were working on things even if BP states otherwise.
@Nic909, that’s exactly what I thought. I believe the agreement was everything will be kept under wraps provided no leaks. Once there’s a leak then all gloves are off. Then whomever thought calling the Sussexes bluff was a good idea leaked to Wootton and then BOOM, no mercy.😂
Probably BP is at a loss because these news WERE NOT supposed to take place now.
Like I said the meeting of the Way Ahead Group happened September or early November. Harry had to be there, as son of the futur heir; the fact he gave vent to his dissatisfaction is almost a certainty and I think nothing was solved to provide a “normal” (in royal terms) life for him and his family. Probably he saw they wouldn’t move one inch: W&K would be made the “perfect” couple at their expenses, they would keep throwing them under the bus, and Archie would be completely unprotected from the unheard bucket of sh**it the trolls and the press would pour in his face when he started nursery.
Exactly. They weren’t bullied off the island. In fact, they clearly stated on their website that IF the Queen wanted them to have a presence in the UK, then Frogmore Cottage would still need to be available to them (which means they are open to either staying or leaving) and IF the Crown wants them to travel overseas on event trips, then those trip must be paid for. Other than that, they want to be on their own, making their own money and decisions and are freely giving up money from the Sovereign Grant & other royal grants that made them beholden to taxpayers and the Royal Rota.
They basically gave Elisabeth, Charles, & William (and the Royal Rota) the middle finger.
Also, ABC Corporate just said via The Hollywood Reporter that IF the Sussex’s want to set up a production company, they already have an office for them in their studio.
So they are gonna be okay. 🙂
They are freelance royals. Extraordinary.
Meghan and Harry are icons. As the kids say, I stan.
“Also, ABC Corporate just said via The Hollywood Reporter that IF the Sussex’s want to set up a production company, they already have an office for them in their studio.”
Heh, Disney is LIKE, “HOLY SHIT we need to get in on this!”
Buckingham Palace statement clearly states it was surprised that the announcement was released; not that BP was surprised this was happening. I think Sussexes released their statement and info because someone in the Firm started talking to the press to get their spin on it out before there was an official statement. I don’t blame Sussexes a bit for going ahead and releasing their statement.
Yah, I am thrilled about this. It was a TOTAL and COMPLETE smear campaign against them by their families and the press. This is a wondrous, incredibly healthy and enlightened thing to do. Lucky Archie, that little guy has some smart parents!!! They want to thrive not just survive. They will set an amazing example for him … and for any family or press member who cares to improve themselves. YAY HARRY AND MEGHAN!!!!!!!
Mrs. Banjo: Disney owns ABC, so they’re in on it already.
I see what Harry and Meghan reaching for as a solution to their problem as being no different from the path Princess Madeline of Sweden took with her family, though she wasn’t abused on her way out the door.
She’s still part of the family, but not officially a member of “The Firm”, aka the Swedish Royal Family, as such. And her going off on her own was a gradual thing. She didn’t go cold turkey on engagements, but gradually reduced her Court events appearances. I think the official announcement of the current state of things was only made this past year?
British media are acting like an abusive man who can’t believe his wife has finally left him. That’s how out of proportion and over the top their treatment of the Sussexes, and their reaction to H&M’s prior boundary setting has been. It’s one colossal abusive extinction burst.
The media feel entitled to abuse them. A sector of the public feels entitled to abuse them. And that’s wrong. It’s inhumane. Media need to be called out on this, by the public using the terminology of the abuse.
Harry and Wills both embraced mental health charities as adults – that should have been your clue, media!
If ABC made an offer to Hazza and Megs… and Disney owns ABC…
If these two take ABC up on it, does that make Megs an official Disney Princess?
THIS IS MY HEADCANON NOW – The first Disney Princess to wear pants suits! YES!
But comparisons to Wallis and Edward are apt. I am so disappointed. I was a fan and hoped a break would help.
I’m not on board with half measures. Either be royal or give up the titles and perks and be free to choose your own path. I will still follow them regardless but I am not happy with this decision. I think the Queen will set some parameters that they are not going to like and with the way they handled this, it’s hard to blame her.
Right, so they should just keep taking the racism and their “family” throwing them under the bus? Nah.
And they’re leagues apart from Wallis and Edward. For starters, Meghan and Harry aren’t in bed with the Nazis.
It’s different though because Edward was the king when he quit.
Harry is one of many grandchildren of the queen so he could follow the examples of Zara and Peter, doing their own thing with no titles or royal responsibility.
They should just live the way they want to. There are enough family members for the royal stuff.
What? There are thousands of nobles and aristocrats who get to have titles without having to do any official duties.
Besides, having a title doesn’t necessarily make you royalty unless you’re part of the ruling family. If they’re still active. Which most aren’t.
M and H are choosing to do things they don’t have to do, because they want to do them.
I think it sounds like they’re becoming financially independent so that they can split their time between being part time working royals in the U.K. and then part time private family so they can do whatever they like without being dictated to because “my taxes pay for your life!!” This sounds like a completely new thing. Not quite a Beatrice and Eugenie non-working royal, but also not full time working royals, but also not abdicating. I imagine they will keep their titles, the HRHs and duke and duchess titles. They’ll still do royal family things, their patronages, Invictus, their new foundation, etc. I honestly think this is just about them wanting to be able to live part time in Canada or America and they don’t want to take multiple long vacations a year while someone else is funding their lifestyle. I really think they just want to be independent to do what they want. They don’t want to be beholden to William or the royal families whims. No “we support your lifestyle so we expect you to be the whipping boy when we need one.”
100% this!
In that case she should not have married Prince Harry. I am shocked at the pettiness of their reaction to a difficult year – namely running away. With all the resources at their disposal they couldn’t get help with improving their relations with press and public? It may not seem “fair” that they should have to be the bigger person in this battle, but in the name of the causes they support, not to mention the RF, it would have been the better choice. Don’t insult people’s intelligence by talking about financial independence – they are still going to get family support and money, Harry for one is not about to become Joe Normal (albeit a very rich Joe Normal).
All this aside, the fact that they did not consult or inform the Queen and Prince Charles before telling the press, is unbelieveably rude. Quite aside from their roles as Head of the RF, we are talking here about a beloved grandmother and father – not a good move.
I mean, do you honestly think that they made this big a move without consulting the queen? Or Charles? Regardless of what the tabloids say, the palace press release indicates that they were still in the early stages of working it out, which to me says that at the very LEAST, they were consulted, but more than likely they were in the know. Also, to believe that they would totally blindside the queen and Charles while still expecting financial support means that you think they are crazy, which clearly H&M are not.
As for “the pettiness of their reaction to a terrible year”, with all that’s gone on since their relationship became known, WHEN exactly would it have been enough time, enough abuse, enough tears, enough bad years before they could walk away?
How are they running away? They will be working and doing more for the welfare of people than the Royal Family wants them to do now. They will have the freedom to do more and then to step back and be normal. Will and Kate are just public figures without doing much for the public but they still get good press. Zara and Peter, Beatrice and Eugenie are quasi-royals without doing much either. So let the Sussexes be. No one should have to take that much abuse no matter which family they are born into.
Nobody gave them a choice: his family is looking to the other side when they are attacked by all sides: brother, courtiers, PR of BP/KP, midia, trolls et. Everything they do, no matter what, is wrong or attention-seek or both. The poor old queen is very frail but strong enough to protect with nail and tooth a son who’s being documented in intimate contact with a pedophile. Every time the lazy couple needs to look good, they do it at H&M expenses.
Have you thought for one second what is going to happen to Archie when he goes in public, to the nursery or music classes? With all that “nice” people on the loose?
Do you think they are going to be nice to the poor toddler?
@Belgiumcalling One cannot improve a relationship with a racist determined to make you ‘other’, and ‘lower’ and ‘worthless’ and ‘less than’. They are not fighting the regular fight and I detest that many are not calling out all the racism. Piss Morgan is the first and prime example. He is deep in his bones, dyed in the wool racist….but doesn’t see it when he looks in the mirror. White privilege at its ugliest worse. Ya cannot fight it, ya cannot improve it, ya just have to get away from it and go where one feels safe. They are not safe in any way, shape or form if they stay withing the suffocating confines of the “royal” circle.
Whenever I hear “be the bigger person,” I translate it to “keep taking the bullshit being dealt out.” Hi Auntie…but no.
What’s with the Buckingham Palace statement? Sounds like they’re not thrilled!
It’s so salty! What did they expect to be honest?!
Right? I’m sitting here scratching my head over it.
According to the BBC, no other royals were consulted before this release?? I’m cackling!
That’d be amazing, but their website says they’ll continue using Frogmore as their home base in the UK. How could they say that if they didn’t consult the Queen about all this first? Couldn’t she just say “no thank you, if you’re gone, stay gone”?
It sure sounds like BP was caught off guard by all this though. Crazy!
I think they obviously consulted the Queen about that but probably left as many people in the dark as they could for as much as they could given how that family leaks things about them nonstop.
I think this is like the media lawsuit. They (the queen and Charles) knew that was coming, they just didn’t know the accompany statement was coming. They knew this split was coming, they probably just didn’t realize they were going to announce it TODAY.
ETA and I think that’s bc of Kaiser’s updated point. If BP, CH and KP knew this was coming out today – it would have leaked, more than it has.
They mean the men in grey who leak were not consulted. I am cackling too.
Harry clearly wants to raise his kids outside of the BRF, and who can blame him? Backstabbers, racists, and a pedo. No thank you.
Bwahahahahaha 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 and the plot thickens
There is no way that Harry did this without telling his father and his grandmother that it was happening. He did not say a word to anyone else (including his brother). That meant there was nothing said to senior staff and no leaks. So Buck House is caught out and is now being pissy. This is gonna be fun to watch.
@kebbie, I think that much of the statements, both on Instagram and on their website, were indeed targeted at the Men in Grey. Had the Royal family been supportive of the Sussexes and allowed their own press office to operate independently of the BP office and the Royal Rota (i.e., not under the control of the Men in Grey), this division would not have been necessary.
@royalblue, about they’re staying at Frogmore House, I am wondering if the queen gifted them a long-term lease like she did to the Wessexes. if so, the Sussexes would be able to use Frogmore House for the duration of the lease.
There will be consequences. Maybe they’ll get to keep the titles but maybe she’ll lose the HRH. There will be a fight and it will get nasty.
Gee, maybe the Queen will toss them out of Frogmore Cottage. Given her and her advisors consistently bad PR decisions already around the Sussexes it won’t surprise me a bit — and I doubt it would surprise the Sussexes. I mean if Harry had only trafficked underage girls, I’m sure she would be much more forgiving.
Ooh that’s a burn but way too accurate.
The reasons for giving up an HRH have been when married ins get divorced. Harry was born with one and has nothing really to abdicate. It’s not like being an HRH gives him special powers and he’s not looking for taxpayer funding. Removing it would make the BRF look even worse than it does.
I think the RF has belatedly realized that they need Meghan and Harry much more than Meghan and Harry need them.
Oh for sure. That was one of my first thoughts…. can the BRF afford to lose them, they are their rock stars.
If this is part of Charles’ plan to streamline the monarchy moving forward W&K are going to have to do A LOT more. I don’t know if they’re down for that. As for H&M whatever the jaw clenching and gnashing of teeth from the royal world, they’re ‘too bad, so sad, we’re outta here bitches!’
Carmen…This!!!. It’s like killing the goose that laid the golden egg. If Kate and Wills look stressed now, just wait till the full spotlight is on them. Predicting babe #4 or something. Lol!
I just wish that bit about “working to become financially independent” wasn’t in there. He’s worth £20 million, she’s a millionaire… If they’re not announcing that they’re doing it immediately it sounds a bit strange. I just wish they hadn’t opened up that line of attack.
But honestly, this seems what they want and why not? The BRF needs to slim down as it is.
Someone mentioned in an earlier post this may be finances for their own charitable endeavors setting up offices etc as I am not sure of they will continue with the royal Patronages or have their own independent foundation.
I’m glad they put that in there because how much have we heard the screaming about them wasting taxpayers money? I’m sure this is a Carly why they put that part in the statement. So people can’t question how they are going to finance themselves and so there’s no speculation as to how much of the tax payers money they will be using for their stepped back lifestyle.
Then why state they’d be “working at it”? Honestly I’m a fan, but when people with dozens of millions of pounds say that it hits hollow, a bit.
It’s got to be complicated to untangle finances. I doubt all his money is liquid assets, so untangling what’s “his” from what is the BRF’s is probably going to be a process. I, too, am glad that they included the language that they’d be working towards that goal.
@jen good point re: liquidity and untangling.
Harry doesn’t have any royal money, He has what was left to him by his mother and and great grandmother. He is funded by profits form the Duchy of Cornwall, which Charles controls. Perhaps they want to become financially independent before the Duchy passes to William. If there is a permanent rift between them, it’s a smart thing to do.
It is very messy. They need full scale royal protection to remain safe.
@Modiglia
Even if he’s worth millions, the amount and type of security they will need for the rest of their lives is likely to rack up a hefty bill.
British public still pay for security, albeit slimmed down.
I don’t think so. Or at least no more than any other major celebrity. Former president’s kids don’t get followed around by the Secret Service their whole lives.
Good for them. I suppose they feel they need this and that they see a path forward *BUT* they ought to be careful with public statements that infer royal expectations that include public money. I’m not a tax contributor. I like them and they’ve a beautiful family but I’m not inclined to ever pay to read a book, sit and listen to a paid dinner speaker, watch a show or commercial. I love their passion and approach to charity work but I’m also not a fan of contributing to a cause because I like a celebrity that supports it.
I guess my question is, with so many who can’t afford and just as many who won’t budget for it, where will the money really come from? Have they really thought it through? Are they banking on the Royal Sussex patent? Will they run a charitable foundation that screams shady like so many other famous people have done?
I want to see the money go to the causes- not the people who set up foundations in their own names.
Just a bunch of random thoughts… if you got this far- I’d like to hear what you think.
Do you think he literally has that cash in the bank and can walk away?
I’m sure there’s enough money there to pay for his own upkeep but it’s no simple task in a family that has income from multiple sources to know off top what money, property, real estate, trusts, and income streams are his.
And that’s not touching how the charities and foundations are set up and whether they can legally run them independently or how they can be run by someone independent from the traditional royal family setup.
This is the issue with becoming “financially independent.” They are extraordinarily wealthy, but teasing out what is theirs and what is not is going to be very, very complicated. They can’t afford to walk away from absolutely everything, but it will take a team of lawyers and accountants to sort out exactly what trusts hold what assets, what can be liquidated and what can’t.
Additionally, since Meghan is a US Citizen, there is still the issue of the US Tax Code and how deeply they can reach into the BRF’s trusts.
Maybe the financial part is to do with Archie’s eventual inheritance?
We are working to become financially independent by setting up a charity? I’m really confused by all of this, tbh. Why humiliate the Queen like this? There’s got to be so much more going on behind the scenes. It’s all very sad to me
Become financially independent means make their own financial decisions as they relate to their charity. Not the charity is their new income. That have plenty of their own earned money now. They want to be able to openly fundraise and pursue endeavors to fund their charities that are far more limited when in the royal family. And, I imagine this move will allow them more personal income opportunities, books, Meghan can revive her lifestyle blog, production deals etc. I think the Obamas post public life is a great example and one they are likely to follow. I think working towards becoming financially independent just means it’s complex to untangle everything at the moment and they have begun the work to do that. Not, working to get a job to become independent. Clearly they have plenty of their own money at the outset.
I feel the same way Catherine. I’m confused..the whole thing seems rushed and who needs a deeper rift in the family? Harry and William were always supportive of each other.
The same Queen who showed her ass while covering for her paedophile son? That Queen? I mean, if she’s not humiliated by Andrew being damn grifting, money-grubbing rapist, then she shouldn’t be even slightly embarrassed about this move by M&H.
@MrsBanjo
Thank you for injecting some much needed realness into this conversation about Ole Queenie’s feelings. IMO, she’s gotten more respect than she deserves.
Maybe because she sat there allowing his wife to be targeted viciously and didn’t lift so much as an eyebrow to stop it? Why should he concern himself with the queen’s humiliation when she doesn’t seem to mind her grandson and his new wife being flattened by William and the press?
You’re conflating two different things. Financially, they’ll easily support themselves. They’ll be able to get any media or speaking gig out there. Book deals, media deals (like the Obamas with Netflix and Spotify), speaking gigs… I imagine they’ll be careful about what they take and will do things like make documentaries with Netflix (or similar) to highlight wildlife, climate change, humanitarian issues, charities, etc. with hefty appearances from them. Separately they will have their own charity, that they can now be more in control of as it will be freed of many of the RF restrictions. For example, they can take on charities that might be deemed “political” or “risky” by the RF, which is extremely conservative. They can also work as much as they like and not have to worry about William. They also get to shake of the awful Royal Rota which is largely made up of tabloids that love to trash them. It’s a brilliant move.
Make no mistake – charities/nonprofits can be very profitable for those that own and/or run them. Not saying M&H will fund themselves this way, but it is very possible to do.
I think they had to put that bit in there. “Working to become financially independent” = “we’re not going to take any more of your money, so stop trashing us.” If they’re keeping Frogmore for the near future they can’t truthfully say “From this day forward we will be financially independent.” It’ll be a dance. The people getting all riled up are misinterpreting the statement to mean they are disingenuously planning to “work” i.e. — taking jobs at Starbucks or whatever, when really they mean “we’re going to figure this out so you can’t moan about us taking your money, it’s just not settled yet.” Team Sussex all the way here.
Agreed @candycat – I understand curiosity, but obviously there are still going to be attacks and trying to pick apart every piece that can never be all planned in advance, by anyone in the world as you move through life and make a big change. Of course, attacks runs the gamut from passive/aggressive to outright hate. But, I think over time it will ebb and this move gets them closer to where they want to be, rather than just bear it until the next generation is older or when it suits someone else in the family to appear magnanimous, because throwing them under the bus no longer is not their need. Where’s the quality of life in that and the needed protection and achieving the positive things you want to in the world? Good for them and their courage to step into unknown, but also with walking away when it’s necessary. Like you, I’m Team Sussex here. What an amazing life step, full of hope and love.
“BBC Understands that no other member of the Royal Family was consulted before Harry and Meghan issued their personal statement tonight, the Palace is understood to be ‘disappointed’.”
That’s what you get for enabling racism and pedophilia, Queenie.
I love this. But don’t get how that guy Dan Wooley got the scoop yesterday? I assumed someone from William’s camp released it when the rosey stories came out over the weekend again.
But how could William both leak AND not have known aand be surprised?
It’s more likely that fantasy stories were bound to be written after their trip (just like when they went to Africa, and when she went to NY) and that even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a awhile.
Ooh I didn’t know that. Honestly, if that family had been more supportive maybe they would’ve gotten the heads up but as it is…🤷♀️. I really hope someone makes a movie of this. I don’t trust the crown and can’t wait the fifty billion seasons it would take to get to this anyway.
My guess is BP thought they were still discussing it, and could convince them not to do it, and the Sussexes were like NOPE, DOING IT.
If they had made the decision, why continue to negotiate with BP? I’m sure the family is very disappointed, but Harry wants to be Normal Harry raising Normal Archie and he is going for it.
I don’t think this decision is about being normal and raising a normal child. Harry thought his family would help protect Meghan from the abusive tabloids and they did nothing. If anything his family was behind some of the attacks.
Harry is choosing the family he created over the family he was born into.
That website is way too detailed for this to just be in beginning discussions. BP was probably doing its head in the sand thing and with the leaks, they decided to control the narrative.
@Nic – agreed. I have several theories that I want to present to the class so I’m waiting for a new post today about it, lol, but I definitely think the DW article forced their hand as to why it was announced right then.
No ones gonna see less of them – their QA says we’ll see more with more details.
Not if they are striped of their titles, which could happen.
If they are stripped of their Duchy titles, they will be fine and we may actually see MORE of them, just not in an official “royal” capacity. Don’t forget, Prince Harry is a blood prince. He can never lose that title and places like People Magazine will never NOT call her Princess Meghan! LOL
People without titles are still famous. Diana lost her HRH and still was being chased by paparazzi.
They won’t be stripped of titles, just as Beatrice and Eugenie have not been stripped of titles.
Diana gave up her HRH willingly to get a bigger divorce settlement out of Charles, her lawyer admitted it. Diana later discovered she was going to have to curtsey to Fergie and she furious about it. The Queen retroactively took away Fergie’s as a result, because at first Fergie was divorced but still had her HRH.
Still have mixed feelings but ultimately I feel like this will backfire on the RF spectacularly. Meghan and Harry (to a much lesser extent) was their human shield to deflect against their infidelities and pedo behavior. And now that will be gone. And the spotlight will be back entirely in them. They got what they wanted. They won. And now what??
And this also explains why Meghan looked so glowy and happy. She is peacing out of that toxic shitshow.
I do wonder why people give the BRF and KP such credit for Machiavellian scheming when they’re rather inept. You don’t believe an American “commoner” marrying a Prince would get tabloid inches on its own?
What’s up with you defending WillNot and the Palace why pretending to be their fan?
Harry and Meghan have been abused enough by the BRF and the media.
I just said they were inept. If you think that’s defending then… well.
The way Pedo Andy was handled makes me think its more incompetence than ineptitude. How long has HM been on the throne and she doesn’t have a capable crisis PR team?
Mac, I think that’s been clear since before even Diana’s death. Elizabeth has never really understood that her subjects don’t revere her like they had to pretend to revere her ancestors.
Have you been paying attention to what’s been going on the last two years or nah??
The Palace hasn’t been inept, they’ve been cruel and racist. They chose to protect Andrew, pressure the press to hide William’s affair, and allow the free-for-all against Meghan.
@Valiantly Varnished: Agree. It will definitely turn the spotlight on the rest of RF for good and ill, especially since M&H will no longer be part of the Royal Rota. Had Charles or William made even one attempt at public support for them against the waves of lies and abuse from many in the media, they might have have hung in. Now, like his cousins, Harry will remain in the RF but not as a senior royal. He chose autonomy and happiness for himself and his family.
Why would the tabs stop writing nasty stories about Meghan? They make money doing it. The will continue to be make outrageous assertions and spin everything negatively because that is what their racist readers want.
So do I. I wonder what the purpose of the documentary was then and when this decision was made. It wasn’t long ago so were they trying to pave the way for this? Make people feel sympathy so when this came, there would be support? I don’t see it.
That would mean they did it to change their situation, possibly garner sympathy from Liz? Chuck? The press? They cannot be this naive. It would also mean the decision came quickly which is a baaaaad idea.
Meghan will be fine. Harry? The man doesn’t know how to operate outside of the protection of the RF. He probably thinks he’s seen it all but …. I don’t know.
And holy shit BP was blindsided? I can’t wait for everyone’s next move.
This. Plus, how are the RF going to do once they’re gone? Charles and Anne (outside of the Queen) are the hardest working of the lot. They’re not young either. Even if Charles goes another 30 years, with his intention of a slimmed monarchy, he’s not going to have much help in William and Kate. They’re definitely going to reap what they’ve sown.
@valiantly varnished exactly! Be careful what you wish for, Bill. Think we can expect to hear an uptick in rose bush reporting over the next twelve months.
They will sell their kids more and more to the media. The desperattion will be difficult to watch. Poor kids.
“And this also explains why Meghan looked so glowy and happy. She is peacing out of that toxic shitshow.”
With her family intact and that has to piss them off even more. Harry chose not only a woman, but a biracial one over the firm.
It sounds like Meghan and Harry are giving the back of their hands to the whole dysfunctional royal ménage. Stay tuned.
I mean, they’ve been planning this before Archie was born (see: lack of title.)
Good point about the lack of title for Archie! Yes that’s a clue this has been at least an options for a while.
Yep.
I also think that the People magazine exclusive last February where many of Meghan’s unnamed friends were quoted extensively about her struggles and feeling globally bullied was a sign that this was going to happen eventually. At that point, she had only been Duchess of Sussex for about 10 months. There is no way in hell that she did not give those friends permission to speak out.
I agree,I am really not that surprised.
I think that Harry and Meghan have been giving out increasingly louder hints/cries for help for awhile now. There was the People article that Tourmaline mentioned where Meghan’s friends talked about her being bullied on a global scale, there was the documentary where they both talked about how hard it had been and how no one was asking how they were, there was this long vacation over the holidays. I think these have all been their way of reaching out to his family, little tests almost to see if the BRF would finally start supporting them both publicly and privately, and intervene with the media, and stop leaking about them. And I don’t meant that Harry and Meghan have been Machiavellian, setting up tests that are impossible to pass, and doing these things knowing that the RF would fail so that the RF would look bad. I think these were genuine cries for help that were born of a lot of frustration and feelings of being overwhelmed by how they were being treated. I’m sure there were many private talks as well before they began to hint at things publicly. I’m just looking back to how many opportunities to entire BRF had to help out the Sussexes and how many times they not only didn’t help, but purposely sold them out and made things worse for them. I highly doubt that when Harry and Meghan got married they had any intentions other than working very hard for the BRF for the rest of their lives. This is probably not at all what they wanted and I think they gave everyone many opportunities to make things right, but each opportunity was ignored by the family. And then to see how much effort has been going into protecting and shielding Andrew and making him feel as cosseted as possible during his criminally horrific scandal? I think that may have pushed the Sussexes over the edge.
@ Amy Too: I think you’re exactly right.
I’m not so sure W wants this. This is really, really bad for the monarchy as an institution. This, coupled with the Andrew news, is catastrophic for the RF.
You know I hope it is but they are like rats – very tenacious.
Just like it was Edward VII abdication , but the RF survived.
But the Royal Family is not popular now. Maybe in the UK. I think after the Queen passes, there may be a lot of departures from commonwealth countries. And with the Andrew scandal, it’s looking pretty bad.
William would never want this. Never. For all the right and wrong reasons, PW would never want this. Harry and MM sent a very public FU to the entire family, including their 93 year old grandmother, The Queen. The Queen never wavers, she’s always been “never complain, never explain”. For example, She didn’t interfere with Charles and Diana (which enraged Diana fans, me included) but that’s how she runs things. She does her duty and expects everyone else to do the same. Harry was always my favorite and the press has been horrible to them, however I can’t bring myself to feel sorry for a Prince of the British Realm. I hope his mental health is better, those boys have PTSD from their mother’s death. But I am disappointed in all of this.
The Queen has gone out of her way to protect a son who slept with a sex trafficked child. So, she can go fuck herself, and I don’t care how old she is.
William has been ok with Harry being the scapegoat since day one so of course he is disappointed that he won’t be able to throw the spare under the bus when he feels like it, such as the recent economy jet photo op. Harry can still do most of the work and not have the “but the taxpayers” tossed at him at every moment.
The queen has been treated infinitely better than the Sussexes — which is why she has the space and room to “never complain, never explain.”
What do you think William wanted if not to get rid of Meghan? You can’t believe it because it sounds idiotic, I get that. William is so delusional as to think if Meghan stayed out of the spotlight for an extended period, then he and Kate can reclaim the spotlight by using their children. They went on a full media blitz, though to no avail. Arrogant people can’t see past their noses. That’s their biggest weekness, and that’s always the cause of their downfall.
Oh @smore and @fatladysinging and @Fabuleuse15 you’re making my night. LOL. I can admit, at first I was sad and then more like “well, good for them.” Reading y’alls perspectives is giving me life. Thanks.
Well RF brought it upon themselves. Knowing the history of this family and even watching The Crown (as much as it is in part fiction) one thing i can not understand how stupid they can be??? To hlave all the money and access and not to be able to react/handle some of basic incidents/situations is beyond me. And i think queenie is plain stupid and lacks empathy through her whole life which was proven many many times even towards her own children.
Harry and Meghan were such an asset an easy pr promo for RF and to be so stupid and shortsighted for not seeing it and protecting it and supporting it i really can’t get my head around it
When it comes to the BRF we are talking about generations upon generations of family dysfunction, coupled with extreme privilege it’s no wonder that many of these people don’t know how to function as human beings in a way that most ordinary people can relate to. The way that family and Firm is merged in a rigid hierarchy is bound to twist the people inhabiting it in a way that most of us cannot even imagine. They have never been family in a normal way, i.e. one recognizable to the rest of us peasants and I think they are the poorer for it emotionally.
@arthistorian yes I agree with but still even looking at Queen’s parents it was different dynamic as a family. Her parents marriage was stable and truly loving and Elizabeth and Margaret were growing up with affection..So the emotional inability and distant nature of the Queen puzzling me.
I was done with them the moment they go to one of the poorest continents and then bitch about how bad they got it. Kind of like me telling one of my chemo patients that I have a slight headache: boo hoo.
It’s all relative silly🙄, if you have cancer, my headache is still painful and real for Me.
I’ve often taught many people that about their individual pain and that’s it’s valid and open to seeking healing for it versus putting yourself down because you have no right to pain when comparing yourself.
Alrighty then.
African people understand racism and groups have come out to say that they were happy that the Sussexes made the statement on African soil and were not offended by it in the least.
What exactly did they say about how bad they have it? What I heard was that they wanted the press to stop lying about them. So what was it they said that made you so angry?
And may I add not just lying about them and making stuff up, but one MUST recognize the racism that no one they are being compared to had to deal with. NO ONE in the family has EVER been the subject of such open racism. The Obamas can identify and empathize, for sure. But that there was no palace outrage when their baby was compared to a gorilla is when my heart walked out on the Queen. That was my ‘come to Jesus’ moment, when the palace did/said nothing about that outrageous, brutal headline. Sure, the guy got fired, but he ought to have been criminally charged for his racist comments. No joke.
@He he, good grief. You’ve been “done” with Meghan since Day One.
@Hehe, suuuuuure, THAT’s what set you off.
I think this isn’t as big a deal as it sounds. There was a long Q&A on the People website. It sounds like they’re foregoing a small portion of royal funding (that has a lot of strings attached) in order to be able to act more independently, but still be Royal Family, represent the crown, and still get funded by Prince Charles.
I posted something similar down thread. I think they’ll be moving away from Charles’ funding as well, but the Queen’s funding is what comes with stipulations like no earning an income. They’ll be royalty without the rules.
What I want to know is if they can accept freebies now. Can designers dress Meghan for free now? That alone would greatly reduce their reliance on Charles.
An honest (my own) superficial thought was FASHION! Now we will get to see the Meghan we have always wanted to see…if she can accept freebies or endorse certain brands etc. I know it is superficial. But I am all about the fashion. Also, I am so happy for them! I am also happy that now all the attention will (eventually) be back on William and Kate where it needs to be. Hopefully, it will be reported on how they do not work much and more rose-trimming episodes. As an American, it does seem like the Monarchy is on its last legs.
Kebbie, you’re right on the money here..
I’m not embarrassed to admit it but one of my first thoughts was…..lucky Meghan, no more Erdem dresses.
I agree actually reading their statement it doesn’t sound quite as drastic as some of the headlines have made out.
But that’s not how the BRF works, you can’t be a “working royal” funded by tax payer money and also have a side hustle. You can be like Zara, and not have a title and do want you like. But with the title comes tremendous responsibility. I’m afraid they are going to lose their titles. And that’s not good for anyone. Princess Eugenie and Beatrice are not funded by tax payers, their appearances are voluntary. I don’t know, I just don’t like this.
They won’t be funded by tax payer money. They are very clear about that.
Yes it’s a shame the BRF didn’t support them or this wouldn’t be happening. The royals with power could have shut down the media abuse of Meghan very quickly. The fact that they didn’t speaks volumes. The BRF is entirely responsible for driving them out.
In their statement it said they are working to become financially independent. I’m assuming that means earning additional income. They will also have to support their staff costs at the Sussex foundation which is what the taxpayer funds are used for. So they’ll have to raise funds for that. I don’t see this as some sort of catastrophe, it makes sense. I think the ones who are crying boohoo are the royal reporters who are basically cut off. H&M said in their Q&A they will only be sharing with specific media and their own social media. So basically they are saying if it’s not from those sources, don’t believe that it’s true.
Eugenie and Beatrice get money from their dad who gets it from the Sovereign Grant. And they both have homes for free or very low cost and yet they aren’t working royals. Harry is in fact looking to make money and cost the taxpayers less.
@catherine, The Yorks carry out engagements for the queen sometimes. Edward is a minor royal, carries out his duties, nobody bothers them. Why are you trolls mourning? Were you not the same people who referred to them as irrelevant, and minor royals? We wish them all the luck , they are not leaving the royal family, rather they have foresight, and this will become a blueprint for Charlotte and Louie. Meanwhile, Zara has been banned from driving,
Eugenie and Beatrice’s appearances are not working events. They only appear at family events. Prince and Princess Michael of Kent are working royals with their own careers. It’s the Kents’ working model the Sussexes seem to be negotiating with The Firm.
Beatrice and Eugenie have titles, have HRH, and earn livings. They are not mutually exclusive.
I agree. I think they might just be implementing charles’ slimmed down plan a little early. The plan was generally assumed that they’d be working royals during Charles’ reign as children of the monarch, but then maybe not during Will’s reign. So they would probably need to be more financially independent at that point anyways. We keep hearing that Charles plans to make changes about how things are run, structured, paid for, etc. So I don’t think it’s such a big deal that there have “never been” part-time working royals or “independent” working royals, or royal workers contractors, because there had to be a first time for everything, and what they’re doing seems in line with the innovative changes that Charles wants to make anyways. I think they’re just doing the change early because it will benefit them considerably. They’ll be more independent when it comes to where they live, what they work on, how they pay for things and where their money comes from, the narrative they want to set (they won’t have to accept being thrown under the bus to distract from this or that), how much they want to interact with the media and how they do it, how they raise their child and where, etc.
I just read over their updated website. Their page on media is excellent. It sends a strong message that they want news about them to be accurate, that they have not been getting that through the Royal Rota (I learned so much!) and they are choosing a different way to allow other news media to cover them.
This is brilliant.
I said it on the other post, but I’m happy for them. It feels a bit like the royal family (cough william and courtiers) and the british media got what they wanted. But it also feels like Harry and Meghan have taken control of their own lives and while they still want to make a difference and will allow news access to them, they’re not putting up with the vitriol and untruths published before. And news about them comes from them FIRST.
Honestly I don’t care if I hear another thing about the royal family at this point. The monarchy feels like a burning ship. I’ll keep going to Harry and Meghan’s instagram/website for info on them and that’s good enough for me.
It’s a shame. Meghan could have been amazing for the monarchy’s image. Petty, small-minded, racist and jealous people did this to themselves. I hope they’re happy. I think the Sussexes will be just fine.
I just finished browsing that also. I was impressed with how well thought out and detailed the info was. Very detailed about expenses and who pays. They are definitely trying to remove themselves from taxpayers support…The part about the Sussexes removing themselves and their press releases from the Royal Rota and setting up their own press release system cracked me up! Good for them! Taking control of the reigns.
Can Anyone post the link? I can’t find it
sussexroyal.com
I’m happy for them too. They did not deserve the abuse they have been receiving. I hope they get more freedom and less hate directed at them.
Agree. The info on Royal Rota and how it works and how Sussexes will now redefine their media contact without involving the RR was excellent. On another site I just read that Piers Morgan is having a Meghan meltdown. One of the commenters said Piers is going to have to get over his endless media masturbation over Meghan but I doubt that. Can’t wait to see the lawsuits play out as I think Morgan is heavily implicated in both of them. (Which also fuels his meltdowns about Meghan.)
Not sure how it is in the UK, but in the US being a “private citizen” vs. a public celebrity impacts how much the press can speculate or write about someone. It would be interesting to know how that plays out in the UK media/law.
The Royal rota ban was my favourite part.
@Abby…my sentiments exactly!
@call_me_al – sussexroyal.com
The British/royal press is gonna be livid. They really thought they could bend these two to their will and have them fall in line and Meghan and Harry were like, ‘Ummmm…naw, we good. We know Oprah, The Obamas and Serena Williams’.
So know they will spend the rest of their days writing stories from other sources that the Sussexes have welcomed in their personal royal rota.
And the financial thing is gonna be sooner rather than later as know that Apple project they are producing will bring in a nice check along with the other things I’m sure they had lined up. They would not have put that in there if they have not prepared.
I’m sure the royal press is pissed – they wanted to bash Meghan, but also wanted her to keep trying to please so they could bash her more.
Now that’s she’s bowing out, who will they use to distract from Willie’s wondering willy, and the pedo uncle?
The whole execution of this was well done.
I’m also sure Harry got a taste of private life in Canada on their break and was like “yeah I want more of this!”
Good for them! They should do whatever makes them happy and content to be their best selves. Two things stood out in their statement: Harry and Meghan emphasized that they were seeking financial independence and focusing on their charitable efforts to be a positive force for change in the world.
Even though they had every reason to be unhappy at the way they were hounded and vilified in the press over the last year, I believe that ultimately they’ve made the best decision for their marriage and family free of constraints from the RF. I wish them well.
That’s better for everybody they weren’t getting what they wanted in the family. And the family weren’t happy with a lot of the things that were happening. Hope them a happy life and to achieve there wishes from now on. And leave the others do their own thing. We are only 8 days into the new year so please let’s remember that everyone. I love everybody so whatever you say I won’t take it as an offense.
Exactly. Why is the British press so excited over what — as they describe them — these 2 MINOR royals are doing to change their lives. Ummmm…..$$$$$…. me thinks.
Good for them, they are not really relevant in the line of succession so it’s really no big deal.
They need to live and be happy, not constantly attacked because harry choose to marry a biracial woman.
The very people who wanted her to leave and spent years abusing her at every step are now saying how dare she leave 🤣🤣
Clearly a lot of mentally ill people out there.
I’m sure I heard piss Morgan tell her to go back where she came from, now he is in a rage.
Now lazy Kate is really in trouble.
Meghan will go and now you really have to Step up and actually do some work.
I predict two more babies form lazy bones to make sure she doesn’t work.
I say only one more baby. That’s all Will will allow. But yes she will definitely have another “I dont want to work” baby.
VV, I thought you were sure she’d get pregnant again in 2019?
My guess is that she would very much like to go back to work as an actor, her chosen profession. This is a woman that built her career to a very successful place before marrying, rather than finding a rich aristocrat at University. Insults to her work ethic are pretty hollow.
Birthing, nursing, and otherwise taking care of a baby isn’t work? Damn, I guess all the tired mothers must be doing something wrong!
@Lorri exactly. Pregnancy, childbirth, and post-partum are no vacation. It’s quite odd to pretend having a baby is somehow easy on a woman.
Sigh. No one here thinks having a baby is easy. But, if you don’t think Kate uses her pregnancies and post-childbirth time to avoid work, then you haven’t been following the royals. That’s been her MO for years. Heck in 2017, when they were moving to KP finally and everyone said she was finally going to be a FT royal, many of us here laughed and said she would announce a pregnancy. Bam, September 2017, pregnancy announcement.
Morgan gives me a rage stroke
This is so disrespectful to people who have had strokes
@He he That’s a reach, sometimes people embellish to make a point. Saying I’m dying laughing” isn’t disrespectful to the dead. Saying “I’m pissing myself” isn’t disrespectful to the incontinent. Your comments seem like they just want to pick fights with people. Not cool
He he is Big mad and tantrum-y.
@He he, I don’t take it personally when someone says they’re going nuts.
What do you want to bet non-senior-Royal Meghan still does more royal “work” than Kate?
Of course she will. And Canada and the U.S. will benefit from her energy and creative spirit. I thank the BRF and the British press for sharing them with us!
That could be part of why they are leaving so they don’t have to dim their lights so the Cambridges can look better.
@Universe,
All your point s were well and truly said.
I think the reason they are mad she’s leaving is because she’s taking Harry with her. They wanted HER to leave via harry dumping her and him ‘coming to his senses’ and marrying an ‘English rose’. The fact he’s giving it all up for her is proof of just how much he loves her. You would think the haters would have been pleased, but they are the ones who are extra mad today.
Posted this in the other post but this seems to be the relevant one.
Such an interesting turn of events.
They wouldn’t have done it if they didn’t believe they had the ability to capitalise on their fame, via speaking engagements, fund raising events etc.
The difficulty in their case, would be to sustain this celebrity till the end of their lives.
Unlike former politicians for example, who bring a wealth of experience to the table, H&M mostly bring the glamour of royalty, and the more they distance themselves from it, the more that aura will fade. Harry & Meghan Windsor, without royalty are just nice, moderately successful people. What they have to say isn’t particularly ground breaking outside of the bubble of royalty.
Unlike celebrities, they cannot afford to tarnish their image via advertisement which would have been a huge source of revenue. I also don’t see Meghan going back to work, so keeping themselves in the spotlight will not be so easy in say 5-10 years from now without the humdrum regularity of the royal parade.
Hopefully this will work out for them. They deserve to be happy.
I can see them collecting cheques now while they’re “celebrity status” as you say and then invest it so it can continue to grow
And with William and Kate, they’re friends will probably give up their homes if they want to holiday (they already do)
This.
I feel like people forget or maybe aren’t aware of how much attention Anne, Andrew and Edward got decades ago. Andrew in particular was popular in much the same way Harry is now. That all faded away once William and Harry got older and the spotlight could shift to them.
Harry and Meghan are big now, but if they want to remain relevant and set themselves up to live as they currently do for life, then they’re going to have to work really hard and smart this decade to build a different kind of image, because the second the Cambridge children are grown 99% of the interest in the royals will divert to them.
They are both hard workers. They probably got tired of ribbon cuttings and decided to get real jobs.
Difference being Andrew is a person of very low character unlike Harry. He never accomplished anything nearly as impressive as Harry.
Harry is STILL the grandson of the Monarch, son to the heir to the Monarch, brother to the third in line to the Monarch and uncle to the fourth in line. His son is the first, acknowledged, mixed raced person born into the line of succession to the British Monarch. We also Still talk about princes and princesses from obsolete Prussian houses. Harry and Meghan’s celebrity will be ok.
There is a huge difference between being a prussian princess trivia and continuously generating the millions every year needed to sustain their standard of living provided they forgo access to duchy of cornwall/sovereign grant money
I agree. Look at that royal Christmas luncheon every year with all the descendants of George V. Full of people who were once grandchildren of a king or a sibling of one that nobody remembers anymore since QEII had her own family and they lost importance. Even Margaret’s children live quiet and rather anonymous lives (and satisfying ones from what is written).
But they have a good decade or so of celebrity before people start obsessing on who George, Charlotte and Louis date and marry. Just the way of the world.
I agree Mrs. Bump. The upside of this move is that they can now have a Zara & Peter-like status both in terms of finances as well as a bit of autonomy. Plus, they get to duck out of some of the duties senior royals are expected to attend. However, one big downside is that part of their allure is the BRF, the trappings and the pomp and circumstances. Yes, they are building a brand but it wouldn’t have had as much traction or as much public acclaim if they were simply plain ole Henry and Rachel from Leeds & LA. So, they do need to strike while the iron is hot.
Andrew was essentially selling the BRF and that’s what people are wanting to buy. I think H/M can and will have good to moderate success with their foundation and even hope that it will become a powerhouse BUT if they become like Ned and Wallis then they are dead in the water. I’m thinking they will be pulled back into the fold though before it gets that far. The BRF truly needs their energy and vision and they/Harry may founder a bit without institutional backing. I think Charles will be instrumental in pulling them back in s few years and carving out the space that H/M want and need (to survive) and it will be mutual—especially if they are to be a significant support for William when he takes the throne.
I do hope this works out for them BUT if not I do hope they will be allowed some wins if they decide to come back to the table. It would be a shame for all around to take a scorched earth position on this.
Thanks @Chelle. I hadn’t thought that far ahead, but you could be on the right track re: Charles carving out a place for them in his reign. Especially given Bill and Cathy’s work ethic. It would definitely be in everyone’s interest to avoid a scorched earth policy.
This will get messy and the ramifications will take years to play out. Half in half out won’t work and BP have already slapped them down saying ‘complicated issues will take time to work through’. They won’t be allowed to keep royal titles, Duchy money, and the royal duties they like (patronages passed down from the Queen, the Commonwealth) while also doing whatever work they want and getting paid without BP supervision. In particular the public political neutrality expected of the royal family could become an issue. They should have just cut ties and looked to America, but the costs of setting up alone and security probably made that look unattractive. (I know, her Suits millions and his private inheritances… the big philanthropic foundations have endowments in the high hundred millions or more and their ~£30m might buy them two fancy houses.)
The BP statement was unusually harsh, but yes, they cannot expect to retain access to the firm’s money while not playing by the firm’s rules.
There is no business/organisation anywhere that would allow it, and the Windsors are a business first, family second. Maybe charles might agree to carry on funding them via the Duchy money, but will William do so when the Duchy passes on to him?
This is a messy situation than should have been ironed-out and iron-cladded by both BP and the Sussexes and with via a joint statement. There was no need for such haste, they were hardly in imminent danger
@Mrs. Bump I disagree with you regarding the need for haste. KP was already starting to leak information. I guarantee the spin would have been H&M “forced into exile” before too long. H&M had to get out ahead of this and get their side out. Notice all the stories in The Sun , one of the papers Harry is suing. No way anyone on Team Sussex is leaking to them. As far as their income, they’ll be fine, I hardly think they will go on the dole. Money is not like land where there is a finite amount available. Besides if William is supposed to be pushing them out when he gets to be king, they might as well set up things right now, no use in waiting.
Beatrice and Eugenie should have to give up their HRH if they are not working royals… oh wait they won’t… so let’s stop this nonsense about giving up titles as if that matters anyway. Harry will do it of it comes to that b
@msiam
These rumours have been going around for months, well before the sun article. Taking such a drastic decision because of a bad headline, especially on a day where all of world’s newspapers are taking about the possibility of a war with iran, is just not a smart move. On a slow news day yes, that Sun leak would have gained more traction but yesterday of all days?
@nic
No one is taking of stripping them of their HRH. However if they talk of gaining financial independence then what exactly does this mean? Foregoing the sovereign grant, which they themselves admit only count for 5% of their funding, while still wanting access to Duchy money is hardly financial independence.
I think they will be as successful as the Obamas have been in redefining their lives post-White House. The Sussexes have access to some very savvy people and I think they have thought this out, had extensive meetings, and looked at the pros and cons. I think they have figured out how to sustain themselves financially and still do their work. That’s why I don’t think they felt obligated to giving the Firm a heads up.
I think if they had figured out how to financially sustain themselves, they would have burnt it to the ground. Announcing their plans like this may have been an attempt to bounce BP into agreeing them, betting BP wouldn’t air the family dirty laundry in public. But it looks like BP may be willing to let this argument play out in the tabloids, and we already know what the tabloids are willing to do to Meghan and Harry.
I do wonder if Charles did or would have offered to keep paying for them if they agreed to a quiet private life. But they clearly want to be public figures. They may be about to find out how much of their fame and influence was them as people and how much was having one of the biggest platforms in the world.
Yeah, but Obama was President of the US and a lifelong politician. Both him and his wife are Harvard educated lawyers. They have a wealth of experience and knowledge to bring to any enterprise. And they did a lot of hard work for a very long time for now to be able to focus on their charitable endeavours and their writing. I feel for these two…truly, but other than being royal what else do they bring to these connections? I mean, they seem like they have good intentions, and God knows the treatment of her has been horrendous, but would Oprah or the Obamas would ever have anything with them if they weren’t royal? Wallis and Edward assumed the same when he abdicated, that their popularity and connections would be enough to get them by without the BRF. They ended up having to scrounge from their rich friends for the rest of their lives.
Do people really think media outlets like the Daily Mail or Sun will stop reporting and getting clicks about the Sussexes now? The whole thing just went stratospheric— this is one of the biggest BRF storylines ever and will be for awhile. TheShe media outlets sure can still write stories about all things Sussex without being in the Royal Rota.
The Obamas also have lifelong, taxpayer-funded security. Harry and Meghan will not.
@MRSBUMP But what does that matter when the monarchy will likely soon be a thing of the past? How much longer do you think people will put up with such an outdated, worthless institution?
This is a very non british sentiment. Most british people simply do not care enough about the royals to get rid of them. It would require a rewriting of their constitution that is more trouble than its worth. As long as they don’t rock the boat, they are here to stay. Any undesirable member aka Andrew will be swiftly written out of the picture and replaced by smiling pictures of the kids. The PR is obvious but highly effective. The ONLY thing the windsors are good at is surviving.
We also have to keep in mind that so far European monarchies have only fallen through immense political and social upheaval, most frequently violent upheaval in the form of revolutions and wars.
The BRF is here to stay unless something truly massive happens – and that usually involves war, civil and other wise.
The BRF may be here to stay, but the number of countries who count them as heads of state will decrease. Charles may end up king of England and Wales, that’s it.
I tend to agree. We are interested BECAUSE of the royal connections – yes H&M are very different in their approach and beloved because of that, but the bottom line is the royal connection is what makes it interesting. I believe there will be a PR bubble following this, especially if the details get dirty…but how long can that be leveraged into the kind of lifestyle/career they are accustomed to? I have zero doubts about Meg, she is savvy, ambitious (this is a compliment) and very, very intelligent. Harry has always had a title to rely on, he has accomplished much with his programs and military service, but ALWAYS as a Prince of the realm. Normal Hank down the block might have more issues.
@Mrsbump – I see your point and I think that’s part of why they are doing this now. In 20 years, they will have much less influence and star power. By making this move now, they can have their foundation fully up and running and influential well before William becomes king.
If they have to cut ties with the monarchy i see why they are doing it now rather than in 20 years too. However i wonder how much they have really thought about the cons of this decision long term versus blue sky, only positive thoughts thinking. Doing this without BP approval, loftily claiming financial independence whilst only rejecting 5% of their funding strikes me as wanting your cake and eating it too.
And all if this over tabloid headlines?
See, I think they have BP approval “in general.” I don’t think BP knew it was going to be announced yesterday.
And I don’t think its just over tabloid headlines. I think something happened behind the scenes that pushed this (like finding out William was behind the smear campaign or something.)
I can’t even be mad that this is a (minor) win for William because it’s a HUGE win for Harry & Meghan. They look sooooo joyous and I am living for it! That’s the sweet, sweet joy of freedom right there.
Totally agree. Good for them!
I think it’s great too. Good timing on their part also.
They are smart and probably see the writing on the wall for the BRF – they can do great things without that snake pit of a family dragging them down. I look forward to seeing what they do in the future.
I have so many questions! What about the cost of their security? How can they still live at Frogmore Cottage for free? Most importantly- will I never get to see Duchess Meghan in a tiara again??? Sob!
I could totally imagine them traveling around and using their star power to raise money for relief after various disasters a la Bill Clinton and George Bush used to do.
If you go on their website they explain all of this (not the tiara stuff lol). They are keeping Frogmore because the Queen is allowing it. Security is out of their hands so they have to keep it (UK mandated)
As someone pointed out up-thread, they say they are staying at Frogmore Cottage because the Queen will allow it….yet we are led to believe that the Queen was surprised by all of this. Was it that she was involved in early discussions, this came up and she said they could stay, she thought they would continue discussions but they made the announcement?
I’m sure the millions of Brits who have been adversely affected by the financial downturns and the austerity measures of the past decade or two are pulling for them to gain financial independence in Granny’s house.
How does this effect the lawsuit against The Fail on Sunday?
Any UK Barristers or Solicitors out there?
Yes, the website has very detailed information about everything! Worth a read through….
Good on them!
People magazine has also reprinted everything in an article.
I’m thrilled for them. Now, they can hopefully be free to do what they want with their lives, and do what’s best for their son. They’ll be free from the more rigorous royal constraints and out from under Will’s attempts to stifle them. As an added bonus for me, I can only hope this means a lot less of the royals in the gossip world. I’m so sick of hearing about the entire lot of them. I’m old school. I like my celebrity gossip to be about the Hollywood types.
Their website has a bunch more information. If I’m reading it right, by giving up the money from the Queen that pays for their staff, they’ll be able to earn their own money, ditch the royal reporters, and live outside of the UK as they please, with Frogmore as their UK home base. From what I gather, they’ll be royalty without the rules and restrictions?
I think that is the intention – the statement from BP makes me question whether that will be reality.
Good for them, from where I’m sitting, seems like the BRF benefits waaaay more from their presence than the other way around. Get out while the gettings good and they are at the top of their earning potential. I can see why the BRF would be disappointed with this, they can’t deflect their bad behavior with negative press about the black girl in the family. I hope Harry and Meghan are ultra successful in all they do!
So they’re going to be part-time (rather than full-time “senior” royals) as they “work” towards financial independence.
They could “work” towards this financial independence for a very long time. Pretty good gig.
If financial independence means they are still taking money from the Duchy and the security won’t be covered by them, then it doesn’t mean very much. Charles will probably increase their allowance.
Any Duchy funding would be cut off the second William becomes Duke of Cornwall.
I sincerely hope William goes back to being a d*ck no access to his kids to the press… They think they have really won.
Harry told everyone TWICE to leave Meghan alone. Media didn’t want to do it so he and Meghan did what’s best for them and their family. I respect it. The only I’m surprised about is that he didn’t wait till Lizzie died. Good luck to KP with the workload and keeping the media fed!
It seems as though the Queen has put a hold on this all.
What exactly is the Queen putting on hold?
What kind of hold? I mean, if this is what they want to do, how can she stop them?
Lol, no she hasn’t. I love how pressed Cambridges’ fans are about this.
So, if you read the Q&A on Sussex Royal –
this is still a big deal but not as earth shattering as it seemed before. It seems essentially they are rejecting their sovereign grant money in order to get out of participating in the royal rota and to be able to earn their own money. (my guess is that its more about raising money, but we’ll see.) It doesn’t say they are rejecting money from the Duchy of Cornwall. It specifically says they will continue to support the queen and travel on her behalf as asked.
They are keeping their titles, keeping Frogmore, keeping their patronages. It sounds like they just figured, “if you [the press] keep insisting that you have control over us bc of the sovereign grant, guess what, we wont take the sovereign grant.”
it’s pretty genius!
Yes and they can focus on work they want to do.
If they keep money from the Duchy of Cornwall then the “working towards being financially independent part” is misleading. You are either independent financially or you are not.
I really wish that part had been omitted because this will invite an awful lot of scrutiny and it risks overshadowing everything else.
Yes, this is what I said above, but it seems to have angered some of the hive.
Free house, money from Charles. Sounds like they are as keen to “get to work being financially independent” as Kate is keen to get
to work doing much of anything. The lot of them are scammers.
I think “working towards financial independence” makes sense, especially for their staff and foundation. Those finances have to be all entangled so I can see it not being as simple as just not taking the funding from the SG.
Now I don’t know if they are still taking money from Charles, that part isn’t clear. My guess is that they might, because that’s technically not “public funds” but he still reports it, so we will find out if he is, it wont be a secret. I wouldn’t be surprised if he still funds them but in a much more limited way. Like, they host a reception at BP or CH, and Charles pays for it, or for Meghan’s dress, or something. They are still going to do work on behalf of the monarchy, so I’m not sure how it will all shake out.
I just really think this is about escaping the royal rota, and maybe escaping the control of William down the line.
They’re still doing A LOT in, as they say, carving out a more progressive role in what is an institution (those words matter). You can find something to criticize, but this is a huge step for an incredibly antiquated institution. Maybe I should say a baby step…I’m sure this isn’t the end of what they plan to do. They have to start somewhere.
It’s a process. If someone has not been permitted to earn an income them yes it will take time to set things up to be independent. The first step is getting rid of the Sovereign Grant funds. As far as I can see all of the senior royals support or help support their children. Anne’s kids live on her estate, Charles funds W&K and Andrew helps support Bea & Eugenie.
you see, here is the hidden racism right here….It’s not only black and white, in or out. It’s not all or nothing…Harry will be royal his whole life. His wife will be his ‘station’ as long as he has a wife. No one is poking at any other royal for receiving perks whilst not working (princesses, cousins, sisters, brothers of extended, etc). This is just because of racism…. they see and hear and feel it as ‘separate’ from the others listed because it is!
I think this goes back to the cookbook and how that was (mis)handled. I’ve brought that up to say this move gives H/M some wiggle room as well as break and some autonomy BUT also provides them with enough of a landing strip to re-enter the fold as senior royals—which is/can be beneficial to the BRF (more so) as well as H/M.
Yeah, William and Kate took the money from the cookbook to clear up their low fundraising which I am sure enraged Meghan.
This is the first that I’ve heard about the money from the cookbook as a source of conflict. Can anyone enlighten me?
I think that was prob part of it. Just in general the financial messiness of the royal foundation – they prob wanted to split bc of that and then the messiness continued.
ArtHistorian – I don’t remember the specifics, but Meghan had to make some moves to ensure that the money from the hubb cookbook went directly to the kitchen. It was being absorbed into the general finances and the amount that trickled down to the kitchen was apparently very small in comparison to what the cookbook was bringing in
@Becks1 Thanks for the info – and ouch, that sounds not good. I have no idea what kind of money the Royal Foundation gives out but it was bad move of the foundation to pocket most of the proceeds from the cookbook (to use for what purpose?). That has got to ruffled some feathers on both sides – Meghan must have been angry that the bulk of the money wasn’t going where it was supposed to and William must have been mad that someone opposed him and the admins of the foundation were probably mad as well.
Seems like A LOT has been going on behind closed doors.
Several directors have recently left the Cambridge foundation too. Never a good sign.
@Nic919 I didn’t know that but you’re right, that’s not a good look. Does anyone know what kind of money the Cambridge Foundation gives out? Do they fund significant initiatives?
They fund the staff christmas party and that’s about it.
@Diplomanatee That is just pathetic. They must fund some concrete projects, otherwise that Foundation would look completely shady.
Don’t they raise money for the Heads Together thing?
What the finances were showing was, all the money was brought in by Harry and Meghan, but W&K were trying to expense it out to their own projects. Omid’s article about the split last fall make the point of saying Hubb money was ‘ringbarked’. Harry and Meghan wouldn’t have had him make that point publicly if they didn’t have to.
My thoughts aren’t really clear on this yet. Still trying to process
As for the BP statement, Charles and HM probably got a heads up in a way but they didn’t take it seriously because a) they didn’t think they would leave and b) thought they could talk them out of it and c) dismissed it as regular complaining
Anyone else reckon James and Louise could become working royals now? I know Charles wants a slimmed down monarchy but I doubt the Cambridges want to take on the work load of two other royals
I think the announcement was a dig at William and to keep him out of the loop on it.
I know, it’s a lot to process!!! I think Meghan and Harry released a statement so quickly so they could try to control the narrative before the courtiers and royal reporters could put their negative spin on their decision.
No, no one else will be added as working royals.
Go on Duchess and Harry!!!!
Woo hoo!
So, if the announcement came as a surprise to the Palace, my guess is the leaking and speculation about their Canada plans barely 48 hours off the plane helped convince the Sussexes that they would never win in Britain. They may have planned a more deliberate discussion with senior royals but since they were continually troubled by damaging leaks from palace staffers and unable to get support from their family, they went with the nuclear option! I bet the palace staff and British press never thought they would go this far and figured they could get away with real petty behavior. I wish them all the best, but am sad things seem to be going down this road. I don’t know how they separate themselves and become private citizens. It’s too bad they didn’t get their own version of a year off in Wales like the Cambridges where they could try and create a middle ground with a more private life.
Christa, I think this is a good point. I wonder if this was being discussed, and then the Dan Wootton story came out, which was more true than I thought, for sure, and so the Sussexes figured someone leaked so they just put this out there to end all speculation.
That is what l think happened.
Excellent point. Wonder which royal group leaked — BP, KP, or CH? The Sussexes might have just decided if it was going to be leaked and massaged into making them look bad, then why not just get ahead of the leaks and release it themselves. I think at least one of the Senior Royals must have egg on their face at this point.
I think KP leaked to take the heat off the shrug fall out. It’s always been KP throwing them under the bus.
Christa and JA, you took the words right out of my brain.
I think the bullies won. I was surprised to read that they are stepping down from being senior royals because I thought they were coming back ready to rumble, but i can also say I am not 100% shocked because they have to take care of their mental health. Does minor royals put them on Even footing with Beatrice and Eugenie?
I think ultimately it is for the best as I think a republic is the way to go and I can’t wait to see what they make of themselves.
Actually royal life isn’t what it’s made out to be… no point in fighting for something you don’t want. The princess fairy tale was a lie. They’re thieving imperialist sexist racist snobs who protect pedophiles / rapists. They don’t deserve anyone’s respect. The British press may be bullies but they will find this at most a Pyrrhic victory and they know it. Meghan isn’t going anywhere: she just slammed her door in THEIR faces. I am sure Meghan and Harry gamed it out, crunched the numbers, and realized they could do so much more if they were free of the financial constraints.
Well said.
“The bullies won” only if you think the Royal Family is a noble institution worth being a part of.
It isn’t.
The bullies didn’t win. The Sussexes did.
Kate must be heaving a huge sigh of relief — now that she doesn’t have to compete with Meghan, she can go back to being 100% keen with 0% effort to back it up.
They’re still forging ahead with their foundation. I’m guessing they’ll still be getting loads of publicity for their charitable work, it just won’t be official royal family stuff. Kate will still look lazy in comparison, maybe even more so.
Also, Harry’s two main focuses —Sentebale and the Invictis games — have always been private; that’s why his work with them was not included in Court calendar. Meghan has been active at UN level over women’s issues prior to her marriage. These 2 are going to just keep on keeping on doing great things for charity.
I wish i knew how to link to their Q & A. It answered a lot of my questions. And stuck it to the royal rota, which i loved!
I read the whole article and have no idea what it means. Does that mean that the taxpayer is no longer on the hook, and what will happen here in Canada, do they finance themselves? And what about her citizenship, can she still be in line to be a citizen if they spend half the time in Canada? The DM implied that she still owns property here, but I believe she told her house back in 2017.
Actually doesn’t the statement just say they will balance their time between England and North America–it doesn’t specify in Canada? North America includes Canada, U.S., Mexico. So could be intending to spend a lot of time in the US as well.
They will stop getting funds from the Sovereign grant but continue to receive funds from the Duchy. Since they still have their HRH titles they will also continue to receive security (funding for which are not discussed as per law).
They kind of are getting the best of both worlds.
So that means that Harry is taking himself and Archie out of the line of succession and Andrew moves 2 notches up! UGH!
Maria, why on earth do you keep stating this. It’s not true.
@coffee, they still get money from the Duchy, and the Brits still continue to pay for their security? What about when they spend time in US and Canada, I don’t want to pay for them!
Sorry I posted twice by mistake.
Maria, there is no talk of Harry being out of the succession. Andrew isn’t out for all his crimes. Harry and Meghan aren’t doing anything ‘wrong’ here; they keep their titles and HRHs.
So what does this mean for his position as Counselor of State?
This is…something. And I don’t think it can be blamed on William.
It is something indeed. Everyone who said it would never happen for this or that reason (Meghan’s UK citizenship prospects, counselor of state stuff, etc.) was quite wrong.
The statement says they are carving out a new role “within this institution” and also references
“continuing to honour our duty to the Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages” which does not sound like a hard exit from the BRF.
I was never really sure why people were saying they wouldn’t do it because of her citizenship application. It was basically a formailty. She wasn’t going to be needing to hand in CVs at Waitrose or anything.
Of course it can. William went out of his way to smear Meghan and Harry along with the racist media. Well, now the Sussexes don’t have to deal with William or the racist media any longer.
As written upthread, it makes me wonder what the DM lawsuit has revealed about KP palace sources about Harry and Meghan. The aide who was mysterious fired when she returned from her honeymoon. Is she the scapegoat W&K are trying to blame for their own leaks about Harry and Meghan?
The BRF has no place for multiculturism in their family they don’t want biracial woman to be their front, another reason to go republic.
she shouldn’t be the protagonist. it has nothing to do with her race. the royal family is all about hierarchy and roles and she’s only harry’s wife. she’s not one of them. neither is kate. that’s how they function. and I kind of understand it. prince philip can’t become a leader. the queen is the leader. the same is true for the rest of them. meghan seems to be a dominant figure and can’t be in the shadow and I see how that isn’t received with joy by the royal family. I like people like that, but I don’t see how that can work in this particular case where there are some unspoken rules and norms you have to follow.
This is all about race and protecting the heir’s PR.
On one hand, it feels like the bullying media and the boring, stodgy Cambridges won. On the other hand, I think this move will give them the freedom to live life more on their own terms. I can totally see them starting a charitable foundation that champions progressive causes and for them to make a real impact and to do so in a more inspired way than they would have while constrained by the BRF. Meghan was the best thing that’s happened to that family in a generation and they lost her. Byyyyyye.
Agreed. Sometimes enough is enough and you just have to cut your losses, draw a line under it and move on to live your best life. I also think this is a JOINT decision by the Sussexes. I don’t think Meghan is leading Harry around by the nose. I think when you find that special someone and build a strong foundation, it makes you stronger as a person. I think Harry has grown into a strong, decisive, caring family man, with the same huge heart he has always had. His focus is better because he is stronger. I don’t see him as passive or weak in any of this.
I think Harry was more ready to go than Meghan tbh.
Good for them, they are taking control of their lives to protect themselves and their son. Its clear the ‘Firm’ was using them to protect Andrew and embiggen and protect the Cambridges.
If its true BP we blindsided by the announcement it means something has gone down behind closed doors – the Palace says the discussions were at an early stage which means that TQ and Chuck were aware and were possibly trying to talk them out of it but again sh!t has gone down. I think that this being leaked played a part in them announcing it themselves – *cough* William *cough*.
The UK press are going to paint it as all Meghan’s fault – its clearly a joint decision and something they both feel they need to do.
The Cambridges and the RF better be prepared for the fall out over this – the Sussex’s are pretty popular. The narrative around the Cambridges is going to be about how they ‘forced’ the Sussex’s out – I wonder how long the marriage will last now that there is no one for them to hide behind now.
The Fail has already started.
The Fail has a headline with “Megxit” in it.
Harry and Meghan clearly thought this through and hired consultants and public relations people to get everything ready to go. They certainly have a project plan written up and are ready to execute.
I bet Wills is screaming into a chintz-covered pillow right now.
“I bet Wills is screaming into a chintz-covered pillow right now.” @Marjorie 😂😂 LMAO at this image.
Is that a Rose-pattered pillow, Marjorie?
I feel sad for them in the sense all the racism thrown at her won. However, monarchy is so outdated I can’t feel bad for two less royal in the world. Being a royal is not his “birthright”. He’s just a man.
I think they win more than lose, honestly, although I think (I know) they still won’t be left alone. I hope they are in a good place, emotionally.
Is it just me but it seems they are still working for the crown, just not getting paid? I would just say “fuck you” to that fart of a queen nd live my life lol
I’m shook. But so excited for them.
Is their situation going to be comparable to Madeleine of Sweden, who doesn’t perform royal duties but supports her mother’s charity?
Good for them!!! Ride off into the sunset together away from the sexiest and racist world comments!!!! So happy for them! They will be so much happier with their son like this. This is all about protection. They need to protect Archie. I would do the same. No wonder they were glowing and happy in those pictures from the other day!
Was totally shocked by this. I’m a bit sad about it because it should never have come to this. This is the divorce the Royal reporters were talking about. They really are a great dynamic couple and now they have new waters to navigate. Maybe in the grand scheme of things, they’ll be similar to the York princesses in terms of Royal duties and obligations. It’s going to be rough going and hope they have things lined up to do this. They need to move fast to capitalize on this. They both looked great yesterday but Harry seemed a bit pensive. No way going into this marriage did they anticipate this happening. There really should be a press conference. And of course, it will all be Meghan’s fault because she refused to be belittled and be their punching bag. Seriously. the Royal family is disgusting the way they left her out there. Truly hope the Sussexes get through this stage happy, healthy and thriving, surrounded by lots of support. The U.K. really is a small, small country.
Good for them. I didn’t see this coming, but on the other hand; this is what is happening in the other royal houses of Europe as well. In Denmark only the crown prince’s eldest son will receive a grant in the future, None of the other kids including his brothers 4 kids will be financed by taxpayers. Princess Madeleine of Sweden has recently done the same thing.
Exactly this. Harry is just doing something that would have likely been forced on him within 20 years anyway and he’s just taking control of things. There is no way the UK taxpayers will want to fund everyone in the family in a post Brexit world.
I think this is really smart of them. There has already been much speculation that after Elizabeth dies, the royal family will be streamlined. That means only Charles and Williams family will receive taxpayer funding. They’re forging their own path now so they can be independent of British funding when the time comes.
They can still represent the Queen and royal family, but that can be done from anywhere in the world. With this new arrangement they can achieve their philanthropy goals much more efficiently without royal oversight and hopefully, less intrusive and abusive media attention.
The Queen released a statement saying its in early stages lol
I think Harry and Meghan are forcing the Queen, Charles and William to get in with their plan since its all been released.
Can we all agree that it was always THEIR decision to leave the BRF? No one is ‘exiling’ them.
William did his damn best to push them out.
The RF will take away the titles, just wait. They do not want to seem to support the “charity”
Sure, they can be stripped of the Sussex title but at the end of the day Harry is a prince by birthright.
Even the Duke of Windsor was not “stripped” of his title. He was HRH till the day he died. Diana and Fergie lost their HRH but kept the honorary titles in their divorces. No one is going to strip Harry and Meghan of anything so dream on. Anyway what would be the justification? Not allowing themselves to be bullied by the press? If pedo Andy can get by as HRH and still be his mummy’s little pet them H&M should have no problems with the queen.
Sounds good. Harry has enough money that they won’t be on the bread line. Cut the cord!
I wouldnt be so sure of that. If the titles go, so does the security and the funding from the Duchy and the patronages. I dont think living like commoners is the plan.
Definitely not the plan!
Harry has money inherited from Diana’s estate & from the Queen Mother. He isnt hurting for cash. Security stays too as do the patronages. Commoners, I think not.
I would think he has some money that, wisely handled, would let them live comfortably. Maybe not on a “royal” scale.
The titles will not be removed. Rapist Andrew has his title and his HRH. Beatrice and Eugenie have jobs, earn money, and still maintain their titles and HRH.
I think they’ll be fine financially…depending on expectations. If the title and perks from the Duchy of C go by the wayside, how interested is John Q Public in about the daily antics of Hank and Rachel Windsor (don’t come for me, I’m saying if all royal connections are severed)? I think they are awesome and love the coverage, but without the veneer of “Royal” eh, there are a hundred local charities I will pursue.
As I said upthread, I think she will be fine…HE on the other hand, has always been Prince of the Realm…Hank down the block? We shall see.
I knew it!!!!! I said this just an hour or so ago! I am so so excited for them and what is to come.
I have mixed feelings about this, however, I wish Meghan, Harry and Archie nothing but the best.
This move will definitely highlight how disinterested people are in Elizabeth, Charles, Camilla, Kate and William. Except when Kate and William trot out the minors.
Furthermore, I feel like this spells the demise of the British Royal Family….
Kaiser and the fellow celebitchy members, I need more than a minute to wrap my head around this….
People really need to read what they’re saying. Nowhere does it say they’re leaving the royal family. They’ll still be royals, part of the family and doing royal work. Just never “full time”. They’ll do it then go do stuff in North America, as well as commercial stuff- my guess is along the lines of stuff the obamas do post presidency. As well as their obligations to the commonwealth.
I would highly recommend reading their website, it makes things a lot clearer. Sussexroyal.com
To me bps statement says nothing more than we haven’t worked out all the details yet, please bare with us.
Exactly. All this talk about losing their titles, being forced out of Frogmore etc – nonsense. There is no way this wasn’t fully discussed with the queen and Charles. Maybe they thought it wasn’t as imminent as it turned out to be, but no way they weren’t consulted.
They’re still members of the royal family. They’re still going to do some work on behalf of the crown. They just have broader interests.
And in the grand scheme, this is smarter than waiting 20 years to be sidelined by William and his kids.
Charles said he would streamline. Perhaps this is the beginning of that effort.
Charles was streamlining to his line, including both his sons and their wives as working royals.
Again, this is a smart decision from them for multiple reasons. Most important is that they’ll be able to exercise more freedom in ensuring their family’s well-being and happiness. They also have the opportunity to distance themselves from a “family” whose dysfunctions and questionable/disturbing activities have become more public in the past year.
And as for all the comments about their finances…they’ll be fine. Even without the titles (should they eventually give that up), they have significant earning potential. There are countless people out there who will be happy to support them and follow them on their post-royal work.
I think the biggest win is being legally able to jettison the Royal Rota!
I am so proud of them. Standing up to bullies (especially when they are family) is so hard. They have turned the tables in proper fashion now. They play by their rules and aren’t afraid to walk. Karma is coming for William. Bet there is going to be a lot more focus on the Keen marriage of the Keen future king and Queen. Maybe M and H can avoid visiting with Uncle Andrew forever
I’m not one to believe that this is a win for William. Harry now gets to live the life William and Kate wish they could live. A life free of strings, intrigue, and manipulation. He allowed his worst instincts to give Harry and Meghan and out.
Also, I hope Kate take notes. Although her children will not face the kind of racism as Meghan, her husband is setting the tone for how all of the spares will be treated in the future.
This times 1000. William has now bullied two of the most interesting people out of the family and he has to hope pictures of George in 100 identical Peter Pan collars will keep the press off his back while he goes gardening. You dished it our Bill now enjoy it coming back for you and yours. Your youngest aren’t even in 1st grade yet and you have driven the bus over them.
So that means that Harry is taking himself and Archie out of the line of succession and Andrew moves 2 notches up! UGH!
This absolutely, truly, purely, 100% means nothing of the sort at all.
The only way that could happen is they all became Catholics.
No, Maria is doesn’t. What is your obsession with incorrect information? They are not losing titles, they are not losing HRH, Harry and Archie are not removed from the succession.
Not surprised. If they’re really smart about it, they’ll eventually break it off as much as possible to avoid the backlash that’s likely coming the RBF’s ways in the next decade or so. True independence may be impossible given their public profile, but they can play this very smart if they so choose.
Seems like they successfully pulled a Katie Holmes!!! I am cheering them on all the way & excited to see them live their best lives. Looks as if they realized that no one was going to help them, and they needed to help themselves.
Thanks for the laugh. Great comparison!
Ha MC2 I wonder if they had to use burner phones!
Okay but WHAT WILL THEIR LAST NAME BE?! 🙂
Also, what if this has been part of the plan all along? Perhaps Meghan was apprehensive about joining the royal fam, so they had a trial period, and after a few years she was like, “yeah this is bullshit” and they set their backup plan into motion.
No. I believe Meghan took on her role in good faith and had every intention of working hard. She was driven away by the racist anti American media and her in laws who were jealous of her star power. The abuse was the bullshit period.
Petty AF but love how the Sussex Insta announcement was perfectly timed for North American audience while completing catching the UK media off guard and after hours 😂😂
Right? That’s some downright passive-agressive ninja shit, right there.
Sunshine Sachs really earned their keep with this announcement! It’s times like this when I miss working in entertainment. LOL
Can’t wait for Lainey’s take on this tomorrow.
JA Lowcountry Lady – lol don’t count on any “inside info” from Lainey. Although she’s pals with the Mulroneys and works closely with Ben, she never shares what she really knows and feigns ignorance.
I don’t look to Lainey for insider info, just good, well thought out opinions; much like those of celebitchy.com
This is so 1930s, Edward gave up the crown for American divorcee, Wallis Simpson. Back then, the world was on fire just like now and WW2 happened.
I really hope it is not. History has a way of repeating itself.
I am happy for them! Take control of their life. They will be billionaire in no time. If Harry is not call to go to War, as things are unfolding.
I know I am seeing doom. Sorry.
Edward was forced to abdicate because he was spilling secrets to the nazis. He even hoped that hitler would reinstate him as king.
True about Edward; the uneasy word feeling is the same.
If you know your history, there is absolutely no comparison between Edward/Wallis and the Sussexes. Edward was King and a Nazi sympathizer and Much has come out recently about both his and Wallis’s Nazi involvement.
To be honest i was not comparing them to Edward and Wallis exactly. I really meant to say the last time a royal and an american divorcee shook the royal family, the world politics was also unsettling. The world went to war.
This kind of sucks for us- the most likeable and interesting royals are leaving? BOO! I am also rather disappointed that they (seemingly) allowed the press/KP negativity to get to them like this. Hopefully the move/mobility will make them more visible to the public while also allowing them to be more hands on with their various interests and help affect real change!
This makes complete sense if you think of them as employees of the crown. Employees want to be valued and fulfilled. It’s not only salary and benefits – it’s how you are treated as an employee. If I’m being treated like shit by my employers, and I’m a valuable employee with a lot to offer out in the marketplace, you better believe I would set up another opportunity and walk out the door. And that’s just what they’re doing.
The crown might do better by approaching the RF like employees. Andrew would have been let go as a liability a LONG time ago. Kate and Williams would have been warned for underperforming, and placed on a plan for increasing their productivity.
100%
I work in HR and we have a saying: “People don’t leave their jobs; they leave their managers.” M&H have been wilfully put in a psychologically unhealthy working environment from the very beginning and both have expressed a certain state of distress. Those with the power to improve the situation for them chose not to do anything to help. In those circumstances, you can’t fault an employee for leaving. Good for them.
Well said.
Honestly good for them. The tabloids literally created the story that she photoshoped herself in their Christmas card picture! Meg and Harry spoke openly about the pain caused by the tabloids clearly thinking that being that vulnerable openly their relatives and the press would have a heart but they didn’t let up. Tweet I saw today, ‘meghan stole harry he is but a shadow of the top lad with his nob out we used to love. Evil wench.’ The very people who criticized them endlessly are mad they’re leaving? That’s been my personally experience with bullies, they think they’re entitled to bullying and to a victim of their bullying. You don’t’ have the right to anger or protect yourself. When I’ve been in situations like that its easy or your encouraged somehow to ‘hope’ it’ll get better and deny reality that it’s not and they’ve shown no changes in their behavior to stop treating you poorly. good for them for being proactive. I really feel harry is thinking of the well being of his wife and son as he ages.
harry really feels powerful on his own outside of the royals doesn’t he? Man after the queen passes and the dust settles from that, do you think the royal family will have much popularity or patience from their tax payers? Will is awful publicly and hates working, Charles at least works more but he’s been behind some of these smears of meg and harry so again I feel this the last of this royal family especially after Andrew has been outed this year. Just my opinion, not as informed on the BRF as many of the commentators on here are but man, this is huge today.
Good for them.
The monarchy is antiquated, classist, a drain on resources. Better to go.
Also LOL over their blindsiding the Royal family
LOL, bloody hell!
So, Buckingham Palace was clearly blindsided, meaning H&M just released the announcement on their own terms and let the cards fall where they may.
Wow. My sense is the HMQ and Charles are apoplectic right now.
Well. They should have done more to protect these two. They should have told Dull Bill to zip it and stop feeding blind source stories to the British tabs to undermine his brother. They should have done a lot of things, but no, they just allowed the British press to Jack the Ripper poor Meghan, leaving Harry no choice but to skedaddle out of the country.
The statement that they are ‘senior royals’ does not quite fit into the ‘heir and spare’ narrative. So I’m not clear on that, from their POV that’s the case, but on video i.e where Charles is seen asking Megan and Harry to walk behind, he used the term ‘Seniors only’ to Harry when telling Megan and Harry to stand back. (this kind of stuff is so petty I don’t know how anyone who grew up outside the firm deals with it). The Sussex want to create their own brand hence ‘financial independence’. I wish them luck and happiness. This creates change and the royals hate change but if M&H can get some of the culture of Monarchy’ updated in a positive way, they will be doing their duty. But those older royals don’t welcome any change, they fear it, so I wish H&M the best.
No, they are def considered senior royals. In the clip you mention, I think Charles was referring to himself and William or something (I remember the incident but not the specifics.). But Harry and Meghan are def senior royals. They won’t be as important in 20-30 years, when the Cambridge kids are grown, and I think that’s part of the reason why they are making this move now.
All they need is 10 good earning years (“celebrity” earning years), and with smart investments, they will be set for life. If they are smart (and Meghan is certainly very smart), they will be fine.
Harry already has tens of millions of dollars from family inheritances, and probably much more in investments. They need no money.
But make no mistake part of the intention behind this move is so that they can make money in a way they could not with the status quo. That they can get involved in commercial activities, paid speeches, lucrative consultancies in a way that a “senior full time royal” could not. That is part of the wording about being financially independent.
Even if people who already have tens of millions of dollars don’t ‘need’ more money, they sure as hell often ‘want’ more money.
I don’t think they “need” money, it was more a response to others who were saying they didn’t have enough right now. Even if they didn’t have enough, they’re in a position to earn it very quickly.
I agree with you, they don’t need it.
Here is what this means. Harry & Megan will continue to work at the same pace making the RF still look good but not have to “fight” the palace. Will & Kate will now be on full display soooooo they better be prepared to get their numbers up in a meaningful way because they won’t have the Sussexes to kick around anymore. While Charles & Camilla know what to do, Will & Kate will flounder and the PR machine will implode. The fallout will be spectacular.
Wow.
This is apt.
You nailed it.
Actually, M&H are free to work more than W&K now. No need to dim their light because of order of succession.
What led to this decision? Leaks? Ultimatums? The disinformation has begun. They are not relinquishing their titles.
Security was provided by the RCMP during the 6 week stay.
The press has metaphorically killed the second golden goose.
The myth that propelled the trolls is even more apparent as a lie. Prince
Harry is not a paid actor who needs their support.
To continue to ‘not put a foot wrong’ keen Kate will probably have another baby to complete with King Archie. So she will be standing as usual doing nothing.
Bill will provide us with answers from his capitalist friends and become even smaller as the unwashed masses continues to be apathetic.
Nature abhors a vacuum. So in an
attempt to meet the expectations of the trolls the press will ramp up their bullying towards the Middletons and Cambridges.
Parts of the Commonwealth will carry on as if the royal family does not exist.
Roya Nikkah, a journalist from the Times, has confirmed that the Queen, Prince of Wales and Cambridge were informed last week.
This was probably leaked by KP, the Director of Communications is Wooten’s boyfriend.
It would not be a stretch that he had Bill’s approval.
Prince Harry knows his worth is willing to walk, had backup plan and was willing to implement it.
His discomfort is based on the British tabloid media’s behaviour towards his wife.
Imagine a noble action on behalf of his family.
If William’s office leaked this, then that is just incredibly nasty.
Good for them. I don’t know how they have lasted this long with the poison that they have faced by the Brits. The British media should be ashamed of themselves for some of the stuff they have written.
Yeah, I thought the faux story about Meghan photoshopping their Christmas card was low; but now they are attacking her for sweating and the Sussexes had only been back in the country for 48 hours. The RR were just going to get nastier and nastier.
Wow I have to say I’m surprised at this news, I had kind of thought that they would have to adopt a ‘stiff upper lip’ approach to everything that’s been thrown at them and try to get on with life as it is. Fair play to them for making this decision, it can’t have been an easy one at all. To me the monarchy is all pomp and ceremony and completely outdated, but I imagine when you’re in it, especially from birth, it’s a completely different story and this must have been a daunting decision to have to make. I hope they continue their good charity work in the future.
Meghan and Harry will be paid millions and I mean millions of dollars to do speeches across the world… they will be fine. The Royal Family on the other hand will have to change drastically. The Queen is old, Charles is old, Camilla is old , Anne is Old and the Cambridge kids are very young, That leaves William, Kate and Edward/Sophie….Good luck with that.
But it’s only because of the royal family that any audience would be interested in H&M. MM was virtually unknown before Harry
New theory:
Harry Windsor, Governor General of Canada
Is that legal though?
I don’t think they want that. I think they want to transition into more private sector and commercial activities, not a government appointment somewhere.
No. The GG is the Queen’s representative chosen by the Government of the day. There are also royal regents.
For example one pledges alligence to the queen but sing the Canadian National Anthem. Canada is a dominion and part of the British and French commonwealth of nations.
As long as Canadian taxpayers aren’t going to be on the hook for anything having to do with this, then good for them. I like them and think that the hell they’ve been put through by the press and the RF has been unimaginably awful, but I can still think of hundreds of things that deserve taxpayer money before any member of the royal family. Meghan and Harry included. If they need 24/7 security in North America, they should pay for it themselves.
Why would they refuse taxpayer money from the Brits but ask Canadians. Maybe you should visit their website and review the Q&A. They want to be self sufficient. They don’t want to depend on any of the racist in Canada or the UK.
Frankly, I called this months ago, though I didn’t think it would happen this soon.
IMO, people who didn’t think it would come to this didn’t factor in these facts:
1. Harry HATES the British Press. He was civil to them when he was on his own, but once Meghan and then Archie came into the picture and they were not only hostile but flat out racist towards his wife and child, being civil to them and even tolerating them was out the window.
2. It’s no secret that Harry wanted out of the Royal Family long before he even met Meghan. Constantly, it’s always been said that the only reason he stayed was because his Grandmother asked him to. But let’s face facts – Liz is 93 now. She doesn’t have long left wrt being Queen. IMO this “split time” thing is only for the benefit of his Gran. If she dies or just fully steps down at any point, Harry, Meghan and Archie will 100% be gone. (IMO Archie and whatever siblings he has will end up going to school somewhere in North America and NOT the UK).
3. Meghan doesn’t care one wit about the Aristo Set or being a part of it. People have tried desperately to say that she does, but no she doesn’t. She’s American. She likely could care less about the intricate workings of the British Class System and being part of it. It’s why she’s always kept her pre-royal circle of friends. (Abigail Spencer was spotted with them in Canada over their holiday there). All that talk in the British Press about Meghan not having any friends? They were talking about how she does not have any friends among the toffs and such. So *of course* she doesn’t care about leaving that stuff behind. She didn’t marry Harry to get in with those people. So she doesn’t care if leaving means leaving that stuff behind too.
4. Meghan knows how to hustle. She’s worked since she was 13. Leaving and earning her own money is NOT some daunting thing for her. She always did it once before. And Harry did two torus in the Army. Two REAL tours and would have happily stayed in the Army having a lifelong career there if he hadn’t been forced to leave because of the Royal Family wanting him to take on duties. I said months ago that the only thing keeping them there was security cost and probably a lot of red tape regarding charities and such that are tied up under the Royal Family name or whatever. That once they sorted those two things out, they would split. And now here we are.
So yeah, it IMO, was always going to come to this, though I did think it would happen more once the Queen was gone. But I think the Andrew mess might have been the straw that broke the camel’s back for Harry, when the family rallied to support Andrew but not the bullying his wife and child were getting.
And BTW, this is NOT going to make Harry and Meghan look bad. Frankly, it makes the Royal Family look bad AND the RR are only mad because now that they aren’t senior Royals, it’ll be even harder than it’s already been to make money off of them for clicks. I feel no sympathy for the Royal Family or the RR over this. It just shows how up their own asses they all are that they didn’t see this coming.
And finally, I think that break in Canada really opened Harry’s eyes into what peace and safety for his family was like. Once he got a real taste of that, well . . . again, here we are.
I agree with most of this but I would say a few things differently.
1. I don’t think Andrew had anything to do with it. Remember their documentary before the Andrew thing blew up. Meghan wasn’t happy with this new life, and even though she knew with her being an actress it was hard to understand but the crazy British tabloid press coverage just wasn’t something she wanted to live with. She pretty much said that. I think Harry has probably always agreed too, but until Meghan didn’t really see a way out of it. Now he did and I think that was the reason. They took time away thought about it, and just decided let’s go our own path.
2. Money isn’t an issue. Meghan has money and so does Harry from his mother, and his father. I doubt his father especially with security will not help him at all. They will still be very wealthy people able to run a large philanthropic venture if they want.
3. Harry was asked to leave the military because of security reasons, not really because of royal duties. Which is my only concern with them, but I’m sure this can be worked out.
Again Good for Them!!!
Nice review and I agree. I would add the Canada trip was just a set up to link the change. They had everything planned for quite sometime. I think the break from KP set the wheels in motions. Frankly what they have set up really is a blue print for the British Royal Family for the future. If the Brits could get out of their feeling for a second they should be applauding this move. The Royal Reports are scared shitless because they have NO CONTROL and NO ONE to abuse anymore…..unless they go after Will and Kate but I suspect they will target Andrew and his children for now.
My prediction has always been that the UK would love William and Kate but the world would love Harry and Meghan
Bingo!
This is a spot-on take and I also wonder if they perhaps think that the monarchy is an absurd and immoral institution in this age of wealth inequality and global oligarchy. They seem likely highly conscientious people who would not be down with celebrating nothing more than being BORN into privilege. I mean yikes, read the room.
I also wonder if Will is jealous that Harry gets to do this.
Good calls on all these points.
The Queen’s terse statement suggests she knows losing Harry and MegHan is another nail in the coffin of the BRF. And she knows she helped nail it in.
Do you think that the Queen gets that her and Charles not standing up to William’s bullying led to this? She is pretty sheltered and naive.
I think the queen feels very sad about this, and she should. But she did nothing. The queen knows that her show of support goes a long way but she chose to have people believe she didn’t like harry and Meghan. She was quick to support pedo Andrew during that ride to church. Whatever advice the queen has been taking has blown up in her face. She should sack her entire staff. The royal family will forever look like they rejected Meghan because of her race, because all the hate around Meghan is emotional and not based on anything she has actually done. History won’t forget how they discriminated against her, I certainly won’t.
She placed the nail, Charles held the nail and William hammered it in.
agree
Exactly! The heirs are bad at carpentry. And off to the side poor old George was watching the drama in His Peter Pan collar shirt wondering what is going on with these people….
Wow… that’s a great word picture.
Good for them.
Haha, season eleventy of The Crown just got even juicier!
Insert Michael Jackson Thriller popcorn gif.
There’s SO much material for future seasons of The Crown, especially if they do a significant time skip after the the drama of the late 90s to the drama of right now.
I am so proud of them. They are brave and forward thinking. I wish them only the best.
People on here come on, other than the childhood fairytale what part of being royal is good for an independent career focused person, like Meghan or most on here. Please the institution is stupid, classist, racist, sexist and just old and archaic!!!! I don’t think William won anything, and frankly don’t care if he had anything to do with it. Hopefully, any negative part by him was overblown on here as they are still family, but in the long run I think Harry won the big prize on many fronts. If it works he gets to run his life, which has never really been his own. Harry has appreciated the charitable part of being royal, but he never seemed to be enthralled with the other royal crap. Now he gets to do what he wants. Meghan could even go back to acting a bit if she wanted. Maybe a charitable play or something, but she’s not stuck either. Although they do seem to want to just do charitable work which is amazing too. I was just conjecturing about possibilities for them. This is a big win for both of them. I’m sure they keep their titles, as royals who don’t do anything still have titles. Plus Harry didn’t give up anything for love really. With the amount of kids Williams has he’s fallen way down the line of succession anyway. At best he was going to be relegated to Princess Margaret status, and if even 1/10th of the Crown is correct that’s just not good for anyone. Harry and Meghan just won dramatically in my mind!!!! We should all throw a party and wish them well.
I agree. How many times have people here said that Pippa has the better deal. Harry is doing something similar. He would probably be facing this in about 20 years when William is king so he’s taking control now.
Reading the Q&A on their website made this seem a lot better than some of the headlines suggest. Meghan and Harry doing hard and important work with fewer restrictions? Into it. Meghan and Harry telling the UK tabloids (and honestly some US press) to stuff it? Into it.
Excited to see how this plays out for camp pigeon-love!
Yeah exactly, it’s seems more about having a bigger and perhaps less neutral voice and not having to play the game with the UK tabloid media and seeking better, more responsible and factual media sources to collaborate with.
Im happy for them.
Very true!! They will be free to follow their hearts and they will be hard working humanitarians. Diana would be proud, I think.
Wow! Anyone else think it’s odd that with this move we are now seeing both #4 and #5 U.K. Counselors of State effectively shut down? (Harry & Andrew)
Hahahahaha HELL YES! Meg and Harry dropped the mic on those twats. They made a declaration of freedom and I love it.
I just explained this whole situation to my husband, and i just want to say thank you to this website for helping keep me informed on royal news for years and years, but also the stories behind what is published. And for knowledgeable commenters chiming in. It’s such a deep well of back story and protocols and parsing the coverage. Thanks!!
Ok..I have to say I’m schocked..I’ve always been a big Meghan supporter but what it means, essentially, is that she wants to step away from restrictions of a RF life while using her title ( they’re not giving up HRH, right?) to make money. Without reallly working out the details with the Queen first. Honestly, I need a moment here..all of this seems rushed somehow and I’m not sure what to think.
This isn’t about making money. Read the Q&A on sussexroyal and stop pushing racist narratives.
Thank you, Devon. The Sussexes seem to draw the most low-brow, ill-informed comments of all the royals. It would look like the Fox News comments section if CB wasn’t diligent in moderating and responding to complaints about trolls and abuse.
The making money as primary motivation narrative is being supported by the Fug Girls, and I am really appalled by it. I’ve followed their blog for 13 years and considered it a safe space (although a lot less so recently), so am rather devastated that this is the line they are taking. They reject the idea that the UK tabloids harass M&H (‘can’t expect good press all of the time’) and have taken a Trumpian ‘people on both sides’ approach – i.e. it’s H&M’s fault just as much as it is Bill and Cathy’s. I’m going to miss the Fug Girls’s weekly Royal Round Up, but now that they’ve laid their cards on the table, I just can’t.
I don’t think they are giving up the title. Plenty of royals have titles but aren’t Senior working royals. I also don’t think the financial independence means what some on here are talking about. I think they want to get to a place where they still have security, their charitable organization doesn’t need help from the BRF and they can then be as political or not as they want. They aren’t stifled by the BRF. I don’t think it’s about commerce either or selling their image more about charity and having a true voice. It’s a win and most likely what they both wanted. The money thing is a red herring. They have enough money and friends to live nicely. Let’s see how it goes. The statement from Buckingham palace didn’t sound nice though. May not be the Queen but someone is salty.
Just to clarify despite the original post, they are not giving up royal life and they are not leaving the country. Despite the “Megxit” news headlines and all.
They took the high road,this is truly impressive.
I actually expected this. Harry doesn’t want his family raised in the poison he was. He has made statements (even pre-Meg) that he didn’t enjoy his position. Seeing his wife and child attacked, he knows what is best for his future.
From a parent of 2, I know when you hold that baby in your arms your life, and what you want from it, becomes crystal clear.
I actually love this – Meg and Harry have a chance for a marriage and family now. They didn’t “lose” – they actually won.
Holy Shirt Balls!! I guess I know why this site covers the royals so much. So many comments
Dan Wootton latest–Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge are incandescent with rage.
Dan Wootton is from the Sun…..do you honesty believe anything from the British Tabloids?
Molly he had the scoop on what happened today when no one else did. And scores of posters on this site only a few hours ago said that he made it up and that there was no way this was going to happen. So yeah I will look at what he says, but thanks anyway for your scold.
Well he just confirmed where the leaks are coming from didn’t he.
I hope Bill is furious. He no longer has Harry to throw under the bus. Suck it up Buttercup.
I hope that’s true about William. Chickens coming home to roost, Bill.
Why would they be enraged? Serious question.
The Royal Reporters are enraged. Harry and Meghan took away millions of clicks with the snap of their royal fingers. if William is upset it may have to do with more media attention on him and the English Rose he loves to prune
https://twitter.com/thebeaverton/status/1215030875231940608?s=21
The Beaverton is a satirical show in Canada and they just posted this article:
“ Local actress successfully deprograms member of hereditary cult”
ROFLMAO!!
Dang, commenters on this site are on a roll today. That is too funny! Thanks for the laugh.
I love the Beaverton😀
I like the one where they are looking for cheaper housing in Barrie because they can’t afford toronto.
LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoo
😂😂😂
Oh my god, I haven’t heard of the Beaverton before but I’m a fan now.
Forgive me if this has already been highlighted, but the MOST interesting and telling line for me was:
and work to become financially independent
That is SO important if they want to live on their own terms. And, eventually, may save them if the populace turns against the monarchy.
I’m sure the Royal Rota are in absolute meltdown. Katie Nicholl, who has gone out of her way to slam Meghan at every turn while fluffing Consort Kate’s bio, is also probably on H&M’s *Do Not Disturb* list.
Bwahaha good for them!! And I don’t blame them one bit. And this is not a win for William at all! The media are going to turn on him and Kate at some point and he’s not going to be able to use Harry & Meg as a buffer anymore. Let me get my popcorn!
Can you move over and share your popcorn? I’ll bring the wine!
I guess being a Royal was not what Meghan expected after all the bad, mean press.
Why didn’t they both just ignore it. I hope she really loves him because they’d be giving up a lot. But they’ll still have ( glamour, money, position and celeb friends.)
He’s a spoiled nincompoop, good luck to him outside the RF bubble.
You mean like William ignores unflattering stories about him Kate and the Rosebush? Get real!
She’s supposed to ignore the blatant, racist, double-standard coverage in the press? Nice try, tumblr.
As a Canaduan, I would not say they will find a utopia here..We have paparazzi and mean reporters here too. What I find incredible is they spent 2.4 million pounds to redio a house and now , want to only live there part time.Time will tell how this all goes .
Frogmore is still their home base in the UK.
Also, the renovations to Frogmore were scheduled prior to the Queen giving it to them. They paid for fixtures and furnishings themselves privately. It’s not like Meghan and Harry walked in and said “this isn’t our taste, let’s renovate” and the Queen cut a check.
The Queen knew about this. Explains the recent 4 generation photo of heirs to the throne.
No. It was the other way around. They decided to quit once they saw no pictures of theirs on her table.
That was so damn petty and wrong.
This was in the works long before Christmas and that photo. That lawsuit said a lot but no one showed any support and basically came after them.
Was the Yorks, Anne and Essex photos on the table?
You will all find it interesting to read Dan Wotten’s latest article in the Sun where he says that the Sussexes have declared war on the royal family and the members are incandescent with rage. They are not keeping their titles and I will be surprised if they manage to keep Frogmore. A bit hasty and self-destructive .. this.. if you ask me.
Lol more rantings about protocol. They can’t stand that Meghan and Harry refuse to be beaten into submission.
I think it’s going to get nasty because the Firm wants this to go down as they were just minding their own business and look what those nasty Sussexes have done now. God forbid, we should be left to think about the really nasty behavior the Firm has been doing to the Sussexes for the last year at least. The Firm fights nasty but I don’t think this is a war they can win. I think the Sussexes have gamed the worst case scenarios with this move and probably expect the Firm to unleash the dogs of war.
I think it’s going to get nasty because the Firm wants this to go down as they were just minding their own business and look what those nasty Sussexes have done now. God forbid, we should be left to think about the really nasty behavior the Firm has been encouraging and abetting towards the Sussexes for the last year at least. The Firm fights nasty but I don’t think this is a war they can win. I think the Sussexes have gamed the worst case scenarios with this move and probably expect the Firm to unleash the dogs of war.
Eh, another RR says they knew a week ago, but didn’t expect it today. My guess is someone leaked to DW and that was then trigger.
I kind of wonder if Harry and Meghan only told the queen, Charles and William. When it leaked, they knew who was leaking.
Lol. I hope they tell all and burn it to the ground. The monarchy is a shameful holdover of colonialism filled with coddled, spoiled, narcissists.
It’s time is up and it deserves to crash and burn.
If anything, H and M are reading things right. The old queen is dying, the world is headed to war, the poor are getting poorer…the monarchy doesn’t deserve to exist, frankly.
That’s going to be a great look if they do that to them but let pedo Andy who is currently not doing royal duties, and princess Beatrice and Eugenie, who have never been working royals, keep their titles and HRH.
Again Dan Wootten is exposing the leakers. Thanks Dan! Frankly though I think the only ones “incandescent with rage” are the Royal Rota.
Did Dan name names?
I cannot help but wonder why they did not do this in the first place? Meghan could have done what Anne’s first and second husbands did, and what Princess Madeleine’s husband does. Refuse titles and continue working. Probably not acting but something else surely.
A lot of money and tears would have been saved.
No one could have predicted how awful the bullying would become with his own family throwing them under the bus. They had to change the plan or stay and take the abuse.
Because Meghan &Harry believed the bullshit that Meghan would be accepted into his world so Meghan gave it a shot. It would have worked too if the royals , courtiers, aristos and press were living in the 21st century.
Yes, I can see that they gave it a go. However, I wish they could have stuck it out, and shown everyone in the long rung. Although I understand their personal choice(s) but all this does look like they are giving up and backing down. Also, I am not sure if Harry is cut up to living as a commoner in the long run (if he is actually going to live without Charle’s constant help etc.) Also, hope that they keep their royal protection officers despite that being paid by the taxpayers. Diana insisted on getting rid of them, and we all know how that ended.
That fact they are bailing like this says to me that the bullying was not just from the press but from within the royal family. Confirms it really. You cannot work for or among people who are opposing you and throwing you under the bus. All the stories of a rift between William and Harry are true. It’s bad and William is the bully.
Piers Morgan is being particularly (and predictably) nasty about it.
That’s funny, wasn’t he the one that said if they didn’t like it they could just leave? And isn’t that exactly what they did? Hmmm I think someones throwing a tantrum because his biggest meal ticket is gone.
He told her to go back to America!?!?!
She knew everything before marrying. Royals need to stop with the people that have too much to gain with the association.
I’m sure that they told her she would be subjected to racist bullying and she said “fine by me, let’s go! ” *eyeroll*
With William and KP leaking like a sieve, Harry and Meghan had to announce their plans. Otherwise we would have gotten a very twisted version of it.
Actually I think a lot has been going on. I can see them being told to drop the lawsuits as the BRF has too many skeletons to mess with british media and Harry and Meghan refusing. I can see them being told to try and lower their profile to enable the Cambridges to take the spotlight and them refusing. I can see Meghan being invited to international events and the BRF making her aware that as she is not the a future Queen, she cannot participate as her role is to support future monarchs and their spouses. I imagine if the BRF had future queen consorts in the calibre of Maxima or Leticia then the journey would have been easier as they would have been minimal overshadowing. As it is having a young future queen who can hardly string a knowledgeable sentence together……. Anyway as a Cambridge fan once wrote, all a BRF queen consort needs is a functioning womb and the ability to be a clothes mannequin for the tiara occassions.
but they were gone for 6 weeks and the Cambridges still didn’t take the spotlight.
Kate’s birthday tomorrow and she isn’t gonna see headline one this whole week LMAO
Exactly @Harla. What did people want them to do, go into witness protection and assume fake names? Why can’t William share the spotlight with his own brother? That family is fked up, no matter how much jewelry they drape on themselves. They are as bad as the Markles.
@celia, I totally agree with what you posted and I’m very curious about the statements by some reporters that the Sussexes were unhappy with being “sidelined” by the royal family. The Daily beast put it in terms of their not being allowed to participate recently in “Royal Iconography.”
I was wondering if this refers to the Sussexes not attending the diplomatic reception in December. Much was made at the time that Prince Harry and Meghan would not be there because it was only for the Queen and direct heirs to attend. it seemed bizarre to me at the time that the queen would not want the Commonwealth’s youth ambassadors to be there amongst the ambassadors of commonwealth countries.
I don’t think the bullies won at all. Bullies crave the drama. They crave the game. And now the Sussex’s have removed themselves from it. So now the royal family spirals in rage. They’re on their own now. And Harry and Meghan have their boundary up and their freedom back. The Power is back in their court. I think this is healthy self care in action. Good for them. Enjoy your freedom! William can be stuck following the rules by himself now.
Also I highly doubt they spent their six weeks making this decision without thinking how they will make money and how to unravel from the family. They likely have been consulting people on this for a while.
Honestly, good for them. They’ll never hurt for money, no matter where they go or what they do. They may not live the same lavish lifestyle as his brother (or what Harry was accustomed to), but they’re not going to the poor house.
I think it was the best decision they could make for their family, and I don’t see it as a “win” for anyone but them.
Roya from the Times said that the family knew a week ago of the decision but weren’t expecting this statement now. Tom Bradby who did their documentary said the leak to the Sun about Canada may have been the last straw.
I believe this.
I wonder who’s behind that leak?
William of course
It’s almost like the sussex’ we’re testing them all 😉
Congrats to Harry. He has given his heart to the British people … now he wants a little bit more independence for his future and his family.
What I really want to know is if this means they can now get a book deal?
It’s funny cos haters are still mad. They wanted HER gone so Harry can ‘come to his senses’ and marry someone as dull as Kate. But they didn’t except him to go with her. It’s like the trolls are extra mad at how much harry loves his biracial wife, that he’s willing to give up everything for her. Wonder if William would ever ‘give it all up’ for Kate lol 😂? No of course not, kate is just a prop to make him look like the doting family man he isn’t.
The British Media wrote a check their a– couldn’t cash. They kept saying if they didn’t like it they could leave. Harry and Meghan just cashed the check. Bounce, Fleet street. BOUNCE.
I hope Hazza and Megs are kicking back with a bottle of wine, smiling, and counting up all the job offers (I’ve seen two mentioned on Twitter in the last few hours). They got this. They’re good.
That’s the best part. All the megxits didn’t expect that Harry actually supports his wife and child and wanted to leave himself As well.
Where are the plethora of “lazy royal” comments, now? A short time into full fledged married royal life, seeing how hard it is, and they both fold like a deck of cards.
Bye to them both.
LOL! This is a Sussex thread, not a Cambridge one.
Nothing to do with laziness. That term belongs to Kate. M&H are leaving the abusive racist media in the dust. High five to them!
They actually want to hold real paying jobs so they are in fact being the opposite of lazy and looking to earn their keep. Nice try at trolling though.
Yeah, the stanning for these two on this site is ridiculous. Royal life is hard, it nearly killed Diana WHILE she was in it. Neither Harry nor Meghan are cut out for it at all. Meghan wants nothing to do with royal duties or the work involved with being part of the family. She was an American celebrity, she can’t hack it under the microscope of British royal life at all.
Kate isn’t lazy at all, you really need to keep track of what she does, day to day, as a royal. Like literally, not at all. If you think that, I know for a fact you literally just read what’s on this site, and nothing else. Kate performs her role, and she does it really well. You need to look at other existing royal families, especially in Europe, and look how they conduct themselves. Diana was an anomaly, and maintained an insane, albeit admirable, standard.
It doesn’t really matter if you do or don’t like it, as Americans, this isn’t our culture. Royal life is what it is in other counties, and they’re not innately “WRONG” for not capitulating to American ideals.
So I went down the rabbit hole of reading their website and it is so well done. This news didn’t just drop out of nowhere. They have been planning it for a while and pruning it over the past six weeks. Today was just the mic dropping. There is a lot of information there and I am looking forward to following their website. I love how they shame the fail and the dim. The Sussexes are here to stay and are carving their own path. Now no one is talking about William’s big eco prize project.
Agree with all of this. I’m really impressed with the content provided on their site.
The bounty of information on the Sussex Royal website is a proposal. The Queen and Prince Charles haven’t agreed to any of it.
No shade but are you an advisor to the Queen and charles ? Good then to have your input thank you.
Yeah, I think people are missing this point and might be celebrating a bit preemptively….? It’s great IN THEORY for them, but there’s no proof or any indication it’s going to work out the way they’ve outlined on their website. Gotta say, that’s a ballsy play on their part. It feels like a move designed to force the Queen’s hand to give them everything they want (essentially the perks of the gig), and that they’re banking on public support and potential outcry to ensure it. But there’s clearly been no agreement and I have to wonder if the Queen, Prince Charles, and BP folks will be even less inclined to give these terms to them because of the way they went about this.
Totally possible that they felt like this was their only option given how they’ve been treated, but… I don’t know. That statement from BP showed they were blindsided yet again, but I think it also revealed their anger and that this might get even uglier for everyone involved.
Basically, I’m cautiously optimistic for them and hope they get what they want, but… yeah. We’ll see?
This has a lot to do with disconnecting from the Royal Rota system-the formal UK press access to the so-call senior royals-or heirs to the throne. The time spent with Meghan’s former press agent in Canada seems to have congealed into a well-laid plan to self govern. Good for them.
Good for them. Harry has never wanted or needed the throne. I’m sure some of this is driven by what Harry watched his mother go through; no one would put his child or wife through that. They are young, smart, work hard, and have a small child. They made the best choice for their family they could & I respect them.
Is anyone else sad? I imagine Diana would have been happy for Harry if she’d lived, as she wanted to move to America too and be away from that pit of vipers But sad because her two sons who were once close, aren’t anymore.
William, without Diana’s influence, has turned out to be a lazy, self-centered idiot who sold out his own brother because he was jealous. I’m rooting for H&M.
That’s silly. A photograph really. Stop reading the FAIL
Richard Palmer is doing his nut on Twitter right now, and I read it and I think “well yeah, but pat yourself on the back dingus, because You Created This”. His tweets are vile, still attacking Harry and Meghan – this time for “abandoning the Queen” – all they’re abandoning, according to their statement, is Palmer’s clickbait world. Which is all he’s really objecting to. Richard’s losing a meal ticket.
Penny Junor is probably off somewhere having an apoplexy.
Just checked the Fail. 16 articles covering all angles on this story, each more spiteful than the other. They are making as much coin as they can now because soon their cash cow will be dried up.
Very happy for them. Excellent move! Peace of mind trumps everything. Looking forward to dinners with the Obamas and Ohanians. They might struggle for the first few years but after ten years when Archie is becoming a teen, this will have been the best move. Bravo! Never fear to leave your abuser, you always win!
@BC
“Never fear to leave your abuser, you ways win”. THIS. In so many ways.
Did anyone read Rebecca English’s latest hatchet job in the Fail? She’s really out for blood this time. What pray tell has Meghan done to her to warrant this kind of attack? This excuse of a journalist is worse than Piers Morgan – and he is downright vile.
She’s riled because she just lost her meal ticket. Now she’s stuck reporting about The Oatmeal Girl and her lazy, wandering husband.
All this, LOL!
Rebecca English et al will still be reporting about the Sussexes and getting web clicks from it, mark my words. Going off the Royal Rota does not mean that those reporters are barred from writing stories about them henceforth. Today guarantees that the Sussexes are now undoubtedly one of the biggest royal stories of all time.
That’s true @Tourmaline but I think the Sussexes want it made clear that they are not supplying any information to the Royal Rota so anything they print about “sources close to the Sussexes ” is most likely untrue. Also, this eliminates all of the bulls!t from the press that went on around Archies birth since H&M will not be releasing any information to them. I think that was very painful to Meghan in particular, that and the whole godparents debacle.
Have you seen headline for article from Sarah Vine? She has had a hatchet out for them forever, but her headline reads something about, “loved Sussexes”. What a load of self serving crap from these vultures. After reading about how the Royal Rota works today, I could see how having to release info to them and then watch how some of the RR twisted it, before Sussexes were allowed to put it on their own Twitter feed, etc., must have been very painful to the Sussexes.
I’m still gobsmacked by the BBC reporting.
“BBC Understands that no other member of the Royal Family was consulted before Harry and Meghan issued their personal statement tonight, the Palace is understood to be ‘disappointed’.”
The Palace have never once said they were ‘disappointed’ in Prince Pedo and his friendship with a convicted sex offender. Shows where BP’s priorities lie, and where Her Maj’s blind spots are.
The Palace allowed Prince Pedo to conduct his disastrous interview about his friendship with a pedophile on the royal premises – in the very residence of the monarch herself. He had Mummy’s full support and she wanted the world to know.
But the Palace is disappointed with Harry making moves to protect the well-being of his family and himself. Wow. Talk about being tone-deaf!
That’s probably some “royal courtier” . Tomorrow they’ll come out with a statement of ” full support” of the queen. Plus I also think they’ll test the wind to see if it blows in favor of H&M. Remember the queen was all in favor of Pedo until there was pushback.
Msiam – I think you’re on to something about the courtiers. I think their leaks prompted the “mic drop” by H&M. They knew they were being set up.
The courtiers, the Grey Suits, are the ones throwing the hand grenade, not H&M.
Saw this comment on Twitter:
“They will be punished for this” was really printed publicly as the courtiers response to Harry and Meghan wanting to leave their senior royal roles. And someone thinks this makes Harry and Meghan look bad.”
The backlash just proves how right the Sussexes were in taking this step.
Also the Queen needs to fire some of these couriers as they are deliberately setting fire to a shit storm. But whom am I kidding, even Phillip couldn’t get the Queen to get rid of the worst of them in his time.
Preach it, JA!
And Chaz, who should be clearing house on some of it – I think I recall he got rid of one top courtier to Her Maj, but as recently as 2015 the backlash against him was wild – courtiers going to Catherine Mayer saying PoW’s household was akin to “Wolf Hall”, according to an article in The Telegraph.
I think Chaz is ill equipped to deal with the courtier situation. He’s not a confrontational man, generally speaking. You’d have thought, however, he’d have dug deep and found the testicular fortitude to step up and defend his own son. His failure to do so makes him complicit, imo.
I actually think its kind of smart. I mean, first of all their happiness is what is important so good on them if this is what will make them happy. But with all the talk about abolishing the monarchy…it kind of feels like they’re just ahead of curve. Get out before it gets too messy, you know?
It has been obvious for years that Harry inherited his mother’s star power and compassion while Will inherited the worst traits from both his parents. What I didn’t realize until today, Harry also clearly inherited his mother’s ability to throw virtual hand grenades into the Royal circus with uncanny precision. Just amazing. Good for them and good for Archie.
Diana would have been so pleased that Harry is living his life on his own terms. And sticking it to the RF would have been the icing on the cake for her.
I’m just afraid. Harry doesn’t know the world outside the firm. I’m wondering if it’s going to get nasty. Can they still be funded by Charles and do something for the firm now and then and everything will be fine? I have no predictions so help me out!
Go read sussexroyal.com. You’ll find lots of good information and answers there.
Thank you! Msiam my only issue is that Harry is prince, no housewife so that’s simply more major step.
If Bea and Eugenie can get by then why all this hand wringing and fear about Meghan and Harry. And stop acting like Harry is 18 he is a middle aged man for goodness sake. Listen I have seen stay at home moms who never worked a day get divorced and have to make their own way and survive and thrive. And Harry is hardly in a comparable situation. They will be fine.
Having read the question and answer part on sussex royal, I would say that if that is how it is going to be done then Harry and Meghan are geniuses. They will drop the royal grant from the Queen but they will be getting the freedom to split their time between the UK and North America. As they will not be participating in the royal rota then the Cambridges can have the limelight they craved.
Harry and Meghan, I am impressed by your professionalism. You forsaw the questions people will be asking and answered them all.
They have answered the questions concerning security, but in some countries there are people including private persons who are provided with security because their safety is considered at risk. I have known some very obnoxious aspiring politicians with some very inflammatory utterances who cost millions in security. These people have never held any public office but they are protected because they are at risk for exercising freedom of speech.
Re: security — The Fail seems to think that in the event they re-located to Canada, Canada would have to foot the bill for the couple’s security team. If this is in fact the case, I am quite certain Cdn. taxpayers would have a problem with that. The Fail also said that when they were dating and Harry went to Toronto to visit, Canada paid the associated costs for security. If either or both of these claims are false, I guess the Sussexes have more fuel for their lawsuit.
I don’t know about whether a country would have to pay their security costs if they lived there long-term (I’d hope Canada wouldn’t agree to that), but Canada probably did foot the bill for his security during trips to see Meghan.
I know when he vacationed in my country we had to pick up the tab despite it being a purely recreational trip.
I guess I’m one of the rare peeps who think this is good for them. I don’t find it sad, I find it smart, and I don’t feel the bullies won. I feel if your job is to essentially eat royal shit sandwiches all day and they kick you out of the club b/c they wanna eat them all themselves, then fine. They want it, they can have it. Sussex’s will be on the sidelines doing their own thing and prioritizing their mental health. Cheers to them.
Good for them! Who needs the constant abuse and bashing from the racist British media. Eff them! Meghan knows how to make a living and she will be fine. She’s smart and resourceful. And more importantly, she can live the life she wants for herself and her family, away from the stodginess, stuffiness and golden shackles of the BRF. Who knows how long the BRF would last anyway with Brexit.
With Meghan receding in the background, I wonder if the Waity Katie haters and Royaldishers will turn their coats once again to pile on Kate since there’s no more Meghan to abuse. Ha, perhaps karma may come after all.
The royals have had biracial royal before who ruled for many years and Diana has indian in her blood lines, yet none of this was made a spectacle, it’s very telling that in this day and age it’s a problem, it’s like people have regressed.
I’m surprised. VERY surprised. Earlier today, I wrote a passionate post about how Prince Harry would never walk away from his home and birthright. Looks like I was wrong. Prince Harry decided that his family was more important.
This is a sad day for England. Not for Megan, Harry and Archie; I think they’ll be okay. But today England has to realize that it’s the kind of country that drives a man away. Harry and Megan realized that they needed to get their son away from the toxic environment they were living in. A place were people take pleasure in torturing a pregnant woman and calling a newborn a monkey.
I can imagine how hard this must have been for Harry. He REALLY thought his family were good people who would welcome the woman he loved. He thought they would be the family she never had. Imagine his shock and sorrow when the people he loved the most showed themselves for who they really are. Knowing your family DOESN’T have your back is one of the hardest things for a person to experience. Megan’s known her family on her father’s side were scum ever since she was a little girl, but Harry didn’t know what kind of people his family were. Until now.
The big winner in all of this is Keen Katie. Her fans are going to be very happy that her competition is gone. Ironically, Keen Katie is also the big loser. Now that Megan’s gone, Katie’s going to have to do more than just be ‘the White one’. The mob is going to believe that THEY put her where she is and she OWES them. With Megan gone, Katie’s going to have to work her ass off, all the while wearing the incredibly boring and frumpy clothes she’s been trapped in lately. No private planes or fancy holidays for Keen Katie. She’s going to have to be the ‘people’s princess’ and her people are the Little Britain, Brexit crowd who won’t hesitate to tear into her now that her Black ‘rival’ is out of the picture.
William’s been exposed for the asshole he really is but if you’re an asshole, you don’t care if the world knows it, especially if you’re a ROYAL asshole.
Poor George is going to be dragged out every chance his family can get, wearing those god-awful ‘Christoper Robin’ outfits. Charlotte’s lucky she’s second and that she’s a girl.
I’ve admired the Queen my entire life and this is the final nail in the coffin where my respect for her lies. She went out of her way to support a sex offender but wouldn’t lift a finger to help her grand-daughter in law while she was being savaged by a racist mob. Shame.
Decades ago my parents made the decision that England wasn’t a place that they wanted to raise their Black children and we moved to Canada. I don’t see Megan and Harry moving here but if they wanted to, they’d be welcome. Right now Canada is in mourning. We’re grieving the many Iranian-Canadians we lost in that horrible plane crash. Most of those people came to Canada because they knew it was a safe place where they could fulfill their dreams and live in peace. Wouldn’t it be funny if a prince of England felt the same way?
Excellent, beautiful post, Kerwood. I couldn’t agree more.
You’re spot on with everything you said in this post
Kerwood that was so well said.
@Kerwood – thank you for this beautiful and considered analysis. One of the stand out comments on this thread.
Co sign Kerwood.
I see this as Harry and Meghan winning. They will do so much more independently than they could as a members of the royal family and it will give them a chance to raise their son outside the Spector of the racist English tabloids. They will also have the ability to sue them more freely.
And yes, they will eclipse both Charles and William as the English monarchy goes down for the count.
I didn’t see it coming, but it doesn’t surprise me. Why would they continue to be senior members of a firm that protects rapists and throws them out to the wolves (the Fail) every time a Rose and/or Epstein scandal rears its head? Every time they stepped out for charity work, an event, or posted something to their social media it was scrutinized twisted and distorted 100 different ways until it turned in to bullying. My best guess is they were already in talks with the Queen about stepping back before the Christmas holiday, went away, reveled in the peace they were finally experiencing with their young son and thought, nah this whole thing isn’t worth it. They clearly have a plan and have been thinking about this for a while via their website, good for them for deciding what is best for their family.
I don’t think they lost anything here. They chose to put themselves first, much like Diana had to do. I think they want to distance themselves because they probably know a lot of bad shit is going to go down that they want no part of. William and Kate will end in divorce and scandal down the line, Andrew is disgusting and will drag things down further, Charles iscariot hot mess so once the queen abdicates or dies it’s going to be crazy. They can do charities that make sense now but still be connected to the royals without being connected to the scandal. There is no shame in choosing to do you and let the crazies do them. I think they recognize things are beyond repair and just decided to take charge.
This is a real interesting game of slap and tickle. The Gloucesters, Charles, Camilla and Anne are all over 70 or pushing 70. Edward and Sophie are on their 50s. They have a few good decades left to work. Then you have William and Kate who are young, petulant and work shy. Basically, the BRF is filled the gills with aging “employees”. Contrary to photograph of heirs and spares that speak to longevity and continuity to reassure the public, the BRF needs to be looking around at its bench. They don’t have a lot of people warming up in the bulk pen, so to speak. Advantage team Sussex. However, it only helps to be an A-list international royal player IF you are fully supported by a royal house. Even St. Diana’s tiara was beginning to dull despite being surrounded by private wealth. Slight edge team Windsor. The Sussex divorce / separation negotiations from the BRF will be interesting to watch. Who’ll blink first?
Your comment was fine until the last 3 sentences. Gave me a good snarky chuckle. Nice try, anyway.
Diana was more popular than ever, why do you think the press were chasing her down that tunnel? She was the sacrificial lamb of the royals and there was no way the press was not going to follow that story. Even Fergie still managed to have her pictures in the press and H&M are way more interesting than her. Plus. It’s all about new media now anyway.
Anyone else think this is partly why we saw so many pics and videos of the line of succession over the holidays. To remind people that sure Harry is popular, but even if/when he leaves, nothing changes for the line? Just seems a bit coincidental 🤷🏻♀️
^yes
Interesting theory @Curachel20, but they’ve done many line of succession portraits like that before, so I don’t think it’s related.
@curachel, it was reported that this was the case (and the last straw), that the Sussexes were upset about the photograph and how it symbolized that they’re being pushed out. I’m not sure if that’s the case but as I mentioned up thread, I do wonder if, as the Daily Beast reported, it they were upset about being sidelined.
In particular, I was wondering why they were not at the diplomatic reception (notwithstanding being Commonwealth youth ambassadors). If they were indeed being sidelined from major events, then I could see how the photo of only the queen and her direct heirs might rile them a bit.
They would not be invited to the diplomatic reception anyway. That’s just for the top people and Harry has never attended. Anne has only ever attended once.
I can’t believe the Sussexes gave 2 cents for the photo issues. I think thats RR Created faux press drama to try to make this about the Sussexes being so petty they would leave over a series of photos.
Absolutely! You nailed it….Hey Will and George! Who wants to make some “line of succession pudding” with Granny! Say chess!
Such a class act ,these two,they have shown great integrity amidst the vile treatment they have received.
The queen covers for the pedo Andrew,and always will.Andrew is obviously beyond awful and doesn’t seem to feel any remorse.Charles,I don’t know-he has to keep working because of being next in line,and William isn’t much of a duke,or much of a brother to Harry,so …
Just like in *normal* families,if you are being mistreated,abused,hurt-it’s best to distance yourself,live your best life.
People are sick of this family,and who knows maybe Harry and Meghan chose to walk away with their heads held high vs being kicked out some day if/when the monarchy is overturned.
Good for the Sussexes. They’ve chosen what’s best for their mental health and family. No way they were going to raise Archie in such a toxic atmosphere. Imagine the vile, nasty things that would’ve been written about Archie. Given how detailed and informative the sussexroyal.com website is, this has been in the planning/works for sometime. Their hand was probably forced to announce sooner than they’d planned because of the Sun article….someone had started leaking information. Also, that terse BP statement indicates IMO that the courtiers and others weren’t informed of the Sussexes plans. The Queen and Charles definitely knew about this in advance and no way were they blindsided. And it’s laughable how psychotic the British media and Sussex haters are. You’d think they’d be happy with the Sussexes decision but instead they’re having a fricking meltdown. Haters just gonna hate, regardless.
Just to clarify, it’s being reported by multiple news sources that the family were informed that Meghan and Harry wanted to work out this new role for themselves last week, but they had only started early discussions about it. No one in the family knew they were releasing the post and website today, hence the anger from BP and “disappointment” from the Queen—no one seems to have agreed to anything but their website presents it all as facts.
Then the “family” shouldn’t have leaked it to the Sun first. If there were confidential negotiations how did Dan Wooten find out? You know it wasn’t from H&M.
The mob is furious because they’re losing a target for their hate. It’s what gives them a purpose in life. If they don’t have their hate, what are they?
I think the some of the courtiers are as sadistic as the press, IMO. They all have their favourites, don’t they? Partisan games behind the scenes… selling stories to boost one royal at the expense of another… I suspect the BP grey suits are PISSED because they can’t scapegoat Harry to save his brother Workshy Wanderd*ck anymore.
Harry has been the scapegoat in his family almost since he could walk. His father’s courtiers threw him under the bus, his brother threw him AND Meghan under the bus, and recently not even the Queen had his back. It’s all been too much for them. Boundaries needed to be set.
I think Megan coming to terms with her toxic family members, and her decision to go no contact with her father & half sibs, showed Harry (along with the therapy he’s been getting in recent years) he could actually go low-contact with the family, and bow out of the fishbowl he’s been longing to escape for decades. Ideally they remain in the family, but exit The Firm. They’ve put the ball in Her Maj’s court on that one.
For those of us faced with life in dysfunctional, abusive families, we see it; we get it. Sometimes, the only means of self-preservation, when boundary setting fails, is to limit access or cut it off entirely.
British media have been abusive in the extreme. H&M have been patiently setting boundaries on the press and getting pushback. When you set boundaries, always set consequences for crossing them and follow through. Media violated the boundary set on them by H&M re: racist coverage over and over again; Harry & Megs have now enacted the penultimate consequence phase. Which is why the media are having a big extinction burst over it. It just proves the point that this was the right decision for the two of them to make, both for their own wellbeing and that of their child. Because the abuse from the media and the public was never going to stop. The Firm and the courtiers were never going to stop scapegoating Hazza & Megs to prop up the more favoured ne’er do wells in the family.
Go Sussex! I can’t wait to see what they do going forward.
Exactly! I would be disappointed if the announcement said “We’ve decided to be private citizens outside the public view,” but they already have a global platform, and I’m excited to see them use it on their own terms.
The royal family will continue on as the Sussex’s leaving doesn’t mean much for them. It’s the media and only the media that would be affected with Harry and Meghan leaving.
Someone from the Mirror said on Sky News that the rift between the brothers is connected to something press can’t legally report about…
Ooooo ok what could that be? Does anyone know what are the things that would fit that story?
🌹?
I agree. Didn’t Kaiser just say that Will threatened legal action over the cheating claims? That’s the tell. This all goes back to that original story of the falling out between Kate and Rose. I mean, the BRF and media treated Meghan like crap from the beginning, but it became particularly hostile with whiffs of Will being involved after the Rose story came out. This does have the ability to tear down the monarchy, eventually I think, but it wont be because of Meghan. If proven correct, all roads lead to Rose.
Camilla Tominey tweeted “a penny for Carole’s thoughts right now”
Why not punt the story to an American publication if that’s the case? The BRF has no sway with American media.
Like when there are injunctions to revealing the identities of high profile people in British lawsuits and then it just gets reported by the American press.
Harry hating the way Wills treats Kate? They have 3 children. Even if he’s not close to Kate, understandably he’d feel protective of the children. Whatever else one might say about Harry, he waited on marriage and children until he could give it 100%.
It makes me sad that they are doing this, but I don’t think their marriage would have survived if they stayed in the UK full time with all the horrible press Meghan gets. At some point something’s gotta give and Harry loves Meghan more than be loves being a “senior royal” which is how it should be. Now the DM will run stories about how shitty it is they are leaving when they seemed to literally be driven away.
Honestly, as soon as Will had his kids, Harry should have been told to earn his keep and work part time for the Royals. If they’d been able to keep this under wraps before the story broke, it wouldn’t have been like this.Someone was upset about what the Sussexes were getting out of the negotiations and threw a hand grenade into it. I think this would have come out later with a different spin, although the press would still savage it., but might have looked like Charles and Liz were steering the ship. I honestly believe they wanted this to work but the palace couldn’t tolerate it. They were placed in an untenable position.
Good for them. I was tired of seeing Duchess Meghan being slandered like a criminal in order to protect that nasty Prince Andrew.
Oooh I sure it means nothing, but they made this announcement today and well, Kate’s birthday is tomorrow. That’s a coincidence right? Lol.
waaa waaa all that you like, why did they (whomever did it) leaked the news to a reporter partial to the keens? I saw the twitter of that reporter thanking a CAmbridge fan, or better say, a Meghan and Harry brexiter-maga hater for the marvelous scope in sharing the news early.
If there is a conspiracy, it starts in a different palace er… place than Frogmore.
Some people knew this was happening as there have been slight hints about it over the last day or two, the trademarking for one. The British press treated Meghan horrifically as did some of the British public and William. As far as I can see though the Queen and Charles have always treated them OK so I wish H and M had said something to them first especially in view of all the money Harry gets from Charles. Maybe there are wheels within wheels though. William seems a horror and whatever is going on will come out eventually. If William has got something to hide he must be shaking in his shoes. He and Kate have no-where to hide now. They also better watch Charlotte and Louis so they don’t feel unimportant. By the way although the Duke of Windsor was HRH after he lost the Crown, the Duchess was never HRH. George VI refused to grant it to her on her marriage.
I have had business moments like this, of course not this momentous. When something isn’t working, and is in fact counterproductive, you have to grab the situation and lay out the truth. With receipts. Sometimes it’s firing someone, sometimes it’s tossing a project. This is like that, only it’s family, and money.
I didn’t know about Wills/Cathy appropriating the Grenville cookbook money for their Royal Foundation fundraising quota and misdirecting the funds away from the fire victims until I read this thread. If I were Meghan that would have been the beginning of the end as well. Also Wills’ smirk in the christening picture.
Let’s see what blowback the tabloids come up with. Possibly Philip will croak and it will be blamed on H&M. Also, poor Beatrice….it she is going to get married to the cute guy, it is going to be on a patio in Italy.
Abolish the monarchy but protect the Sussexes at all costs
I predict now: next up William’s marriage implodes. We will hear loads more about Rose before it happens.
Just because you want that to happen doesn’t mean it’s going to happen. Wishing for another woman’s marriage to break down is just evil.
A prediction is not a wish 🙄
So proud of them.
Good for them! 👏
Sh!t clearly has gone down behind the scenes to make them go public like this while starting discussions about their future. I think the leak to the press about this is what triggered this.
Its been clear that the family has NOT had their backs of the past year or so when it comes to the media – the family did nothing to stop the relentless attacks on Meghan, they could have just like they’ve pretty much muzzled the press over Andrew’s behaviour and William’s Rose bush trimming.
You reap what you sow Queenie – you reap what you sow. Harry has made it clear from the beginning that he will do what it takes to protect his own family.
Yes, Wootton was crowing on Twitter how the Sussexes were forced to issue their announcement early because of his Sun article coming out. As someone upthrread noted, if the royals really wanted to keep this under wraps during negotiations they should have kept their mouths shut and not leaked.
Did you see the comments on their Instagram post? The amount of people spinning the narrative that she is an evil temptress that is removing him from his loving family is sickening. It reminds me of what happened to Olivia Munn and her ex. And it hits close to home for me as I have had to go no contact with abusive family members and I can’t imagine what it must be like to do it so publicly. The gaslighting, the lies! UGH. I hope Harry and Meghan realize there are many people who support them.
There are approx 31 (ish) articles on Harry and Meghan on the DM. WTF 😲 The way they behaving you would think there has got away with murder. No wonder Harry &Meghan are leaving – who want to live with this?
I have decided to totally ignore the Daily Mail coverage because it will make be sick. They have destroyed the golden goose who was making so much money for them. Harry and Meghan decided enough was enough, the vicious and unrelenting onslaught was too much, especially when there are also ‘dark forces’ working against them within the palace walls.
You’d think this was Charles or William stepping away the way they are carrying on.
Yes! Why should they continue playing the game with the Firm — knowing that they would always be 2nd tier — when they can forge their own dynasty? They can still do a lot of good while making an income to support themselves and their endeavors. They can go where they want, wear what they want and do what they want. Winning!