Here’s the thing...taking the sovereign grant money is what puts strings on them. The money from Charles is just that - money from Charles. Does he have it because he’s the prince of Wales? Yeah. But it’s still his. It’s not the money with all the rules. Not only are they prohibited from earning money while accepting SG money it also comes with a lot of bullshit. Both Meghan and Harry are very passionate about various causes and this means they can do even more. Didn’t Kate wear dark green when everyone else was wearing black as a political statement to the BAFTAs? Because royals can’t be political? Making their own way (and not like I would make my own way but how a rich trust fund person would) will give them a lot more freedom in the causes they support and how they do it.
They have been thrown under the bus repeatedly. The coverage has been disgustingly racist. And not one person from that “family” did anything to intervene or make it better when they absolutely had the power to do so.
There’s nothing wrong with cutting the strings attached to toxic family so you can do and be who you want to be. Meghan and Harry are a huge, powerful brand. They don’t need to play by other people’s rules. And especially not the rules of an outdated, racist institution that was always going to use them to cover the asses of others deemed more important to protect.
Here’s the thing...taking the sovereign grant money is what puts strings on them. The money from Charles is just that - money from Charles. Does he have it because he’s the prince of Wales? Yeah. But it’s still his. It’s not the money with all the rules. Not only are they prohibited from earning money while accepting SG money it also comes with a lot of bullshit. Both Meghan and Harry are very passionate about various causes and this means they can do even more. Didn’t Kate wear dark green when everyone else was wearing black as a political statement to the BAFTAs? Because royals can’t be political? Making their own way (and not like I would make my own way but how a rich trust fund person would) will give them a lot more freedom in the causes they support and how they do it.
They have been thrown under the bus repeatedly. The coverage has been disgustingly racist. And not one person from that “family” did anything to intervene or make it better when they absolutely had the power to do so.
There’s nothing wrong with cutting the strings attached to toxic family so you can do and be who you want to be. Meghan and Harry are a huge, powerful brand. They don’t need to play by other people’s rules. And especially not the rules of an outdated, racist institution that was always going to use them to cover the asses of others deemed more important to protect.
This. And really, with or without Charles' money, I think they'd be fine leveraging that brand at the end of the day. But I doubt Charles would cut them off out of hand because 1) I do think he cares about his sons and 2) the optics juxtaposed with the money left by Diana would probably be shitty if it came down to that. If the money is really his to dispense as he sees fit, I doubt it's just a wild assumption on M&H's part that it will continue to be there.
Here’s the thing...taking the sovereign grant money is what puts strings on them. The money from Charles is just that - money from Charles. Does he have it because he’s the prince of Wales? Yeah. But it’s still his. It’s not the money with all the rules. Not only are they prohibited from earning money while accepting SG money it also comes with a lot of bullshit. Both Meghan and Harry are very passionate about various causes and this means they can do even more. Didn’t Kate wear dark green when everyone else was wearing black as a political statement to the BAFTAs? Because royals can’t be political? Making their own way (and not like I would make my own way but how a rich trust fund person would) will give them a lot more freedom in the causes they support and how they do it.
They have been thrown under the bus repeatedly. The coverage has been disgustingly racist. And not one person from that “family” did anything to intervene or make it better when they absolutely had the power to do so.
There’s nothing wrong with cutting the strings attached to toxic family so you can do and be who you want to be. Meghan and Harry are a huge, powerful brand. They don’t need to play by other people’s rules. And especially not the rules of an outdated, racist institution that was always going to use them to cover the asses of others deemed more important to protect.
Exactly. The Queen and Co. had no problem putting on a public show of support for Prince Pedophile, but apparently they can't do the same for Meghan despite the racist abuse that's been heaped on her since day one.
Good for Harry and Meghan for striking out on their own.
I couldn’t get their site to open, but people.com posted their Q&As. They mention the press’s Royal Rota, and they are not nice about it. They call out 4 of the 7 as tabloids. I think the announcement itself and the timing was done to take back some of their power over their lives. I don’t blame them for this announcement— the press has been awful towards Meghan. And it has seemed like the RF hasn’t been overly welcoming to her either.
4 of the 7 are tabloids. They are vile papers that have done nothing but shit all over Meghan from day one. And by removing themselves from the Rota they are no longer giving those tabloids ANY access to their lives.
I just read The Sun ran this story this morning, and they (H&M) knew it was going to be leaked, so they wanted to get their info out there. I don't think for one second the rest of the family didn't know about this, but rather didn't know they were going to release it today.
Also, rumor mills say only the queen, charles, and W&K knew about this, so one of them leaked it. It wouldn't be beyond the realm of possibility.
I just don’t understand how they can say they want to work towards financial independence but their Q&A implies that they will only stop receiving funds from the Sovereign Grant and implies they will continue receiving funding from the Duchy of Cornwall. That’s currently 95% off their income, it just seems like they want to keep their cake and eat it too. And when Prince Charles becomes king the duchy passes down to Prince William, what happens then? I am just assuming that this is what they are expecting from this but this isn’t what the royal family has agreed to. If this is agreed to, then what would stop everyone else from peacing out from the royal family but still getting all the perks/moms and the entire institution just crumbling?
It seems very poetic that Diana’s money will be setting them up for financial independence. Harry really took after her I think. $20M isn’t going to last long for them if they still want to live the upper crust life but they will both sit on boards and write/act so they’ll be fine.
If that $20M has been well invested over the past 20 years they should have a lot more by now, plus whatever Meghan banked from her acting days. I’m sure they’ll be very comfortable.
he "stepped back" from royal duties, which basically just means that he's living on the taxpayer's dime and not working.
The Queen was intentionally photographed riding horses with him the day after that announcement and he and Charles attended church together Christmas morning.
This isn't quite true - Andrew left his patronages because they were threatened with losing funds if he continued to be associated. The statement he released came from his office, but the strong rumor is that he was ordered to leave by Charles, who is pretty much running The Firm now.
This was a Big Deal. It means that Andrew has lost his office in Buckingham Palace, his status as a senior royal, and will no longer receive an allowance. (Again, all on Charles' orders). The only thing that hasn't been done (and I read it's still a possibility) is stripping him of his HRH title.
But yes, the Queen went riding with him the next day. Bleeeeeeeeeaaah.
This is why I said above that it would be a massive deal if Harry actually leaves the line of succession. If Charles and William were both to die while George is still a minor, George's appointed regent would be the next person in the line who is over the age of 21. That's Harry, for now. If Harry isn't in the succession, it's Andrew.
Right, but he still lives in a house paid for by the sovereign grant. He still gets some kind of money from TQ or Charles. He doesn't have any money of his own, so the money to feed and house him is still coming from the royal family, even if privately. That's what I meant by he's still living off the taxpayers.
I just don’t understand how they can say they want to work towards financial independence but their Q&A implies that they will only stop receiving funds from the Sovereign Grant and implies they will continue receiving funding from the Duchy of Cornwall. That’s currently 95% off their income, it just seems like they want to keep their cake and eat it too. And when Prince Charles becomes king the duchy passes down to Prince William, what happens then? I am just assuming that this is what they are expecting from this but this isn’t what the royal family has agreed to. If this is agreed to, then what would stop everyone else from peacing out from the royal family but still getting all the perks/moms and the entire institution just crumbling?
So I assume by breaking ties with the sovereign grant, which is money from the taxpayers, they are actually working towards financial independence. They don't have to be dependent on the taxpayers anymore. They aren't allowed at this point to earn an income, so other than getting money from the Duchy, which is not public funds, what are they supposed to do? They have a high net worth so I am sure they would be fine even without the Duchy.
The royal family definition of financial independence is not getting money from the sovereign grant, so by virtue of that they are working towards financial independence.
I'm not a fan of the monarchy at all but this move is pleasantly surprising. Although my cynical self will believe it when they stop referring to themselves as their royal highnesses every third sentence, lol.
I read somewhere that they want to set up a charitable foundation much like the Clinton foundation where they get to decide what the money does and draw incomes from the charity. My understanding is that currently they cannot be paid from charitable donations or decide on how they are spent as royals. Does anyone know more info about this?
I feel like H&M have made a lot of assumptions if they didn't consult with the Queen. Like they said they will continue their patronages in their statement. Did the Queen say they could or are they just assuming that? They come off a bit as whiney, rich kids. I know they have had their share of BS but this was all known going into it by Meghan. They want to use their famous names (famous for being famous ala Kardashians) for attention for their causes but don't want any attention?? Doesn't really work that way.
But using their names for charitable causes is a good thing. Why do they have to face media attacks for lifting up others?
@@their newborn mixed race son was portrayed as monkey, that is the 'attention' they are trying to avoid. The racists attacks Megan and Will face are not just 'their share of BS'.
Post by turnipthebeet on Jan 8, 2020 21:42:39 GMT -5
Y’all know what work toward means, right? It means you start where you are and you take incremental steps in the direction of your goal. Which is what it sounds to me like they are planning to do.
I just don’t understand how they can say they want to work towards financial independence but their Q&A implies that they will only stop receiving funds from the Sovereign Grant and implies they will continue receiving funding from the Duchy of Cornwall. That’s currently 95% off their income, it just seems like they want to keep their cake and eat it too. And when Prince Charles becomes king the duchy passes down to Prince William, what happens then? I am just assuming that this is what they are expecting from this but this isn’t what the royal family has agreed to. If this is agreed to, then what would stop everyone else from peacing out from the royal family but still getting all the perks/moms and the entire institution just crumbling?
Well, again, it's the Sovereign Grant that stops them from earning independently. So it actually makes sense for them to stop taking that first while they build their own enterprise - whatever that may be. I would expect their long-term plan is to not need any support from the Duchy over time.
I just don’t understand how they can say they want to work towards financial independence but their Q&A implies that they will only stop receiving funds from the Sovereign Grant and implies they will continue receiving funding from the Duchy of Cornwall. That’s currently 95% off their income, it just seems like they want to keep their cake and eat it too. And when Prince Charles becomes king the duchy passes down to Prince William, what happens then? I am just assuming that this is what they are expecting from this but this isn’t what the royal family has agreed to. If this is agreed to, then what would stop everyone else from peacing out from the royal family but still getting all the perks/moms and the entire institution just crumbling?
Well, again, it's the Sovereign Grant that stops them from earning independently. So it actually makes sense for them to stop taking that first while they build their own enterprise - whatever that may be. I would expect their long-term plan is to not need any support from the Duchy over time.
But, again, if the royal family agrees to this, what is stopping everyone else from doing the same? Declining the sovereign grant but accepting the money from other areas, where most of their money comes from, allowing them to earn their own income, and establishing themselves outside the monarchy? It just leads to a very messy situation for the monarchy and can set a bad precedent for the establishment.
W+K have always made it obvious they would much prefer a private life. What would stop them from doing the same if this is agreed to.
It sounds like they want to remain working royals (patronages, supporting the queen through official events and travel) without the strings attached to accepting the sovereign grant.
The media policy seems separate from this and just something they’d like to do since they are cutting ties elsewhere.
@@@@ I wonder where they’ll send Archie to school if they split their time. The UK will involve more scrutiny perhaps, but they are also used to dealing with it. Plus, as a member of the BRF, it would seem odd for him to go to school in, say, Los Angeles or Toronto. But maybe they want something more low key that a school somewhere else will allow for them.
Well I think W&K were passive-aggressively trying to keep H&M in line. Wasn’t it just last week that they released a statement about how they were looking forward to more unity in the new year? Lolllll. I mean, I don’t fault them for toeing the family line but clearly the tension that exists there is because of H&M planning to break away. I wouldn’t be surprised if baseline plans were being made after they got engaged.
Oh to be a fly on that wall. I bet Will is PISSED. Not so much that H has the luxury to do this, but because W was assigned to keep him in line and he couldn’t do it.
Well, again, it's the Sovereign Grant that stops them from earning independently. So it actually makes sense for them to stop taking that first while they build their own enterprise - whatever that may be. I would expect their long-term plan is to not need any support from the Duchy over time.
But, again, if the royal family agrees to this, what is stopping everyone else from doing the same? Declining the sovereign grant but accepting the money from other areas, where most of their money comes from, allowing them to earn their own income, and establishing themselves outside the monarchy? It just leads to a very messy situation for the monarchy and can set a bad precedent for the establishment.
W+K have always made it obvious they would much prefer a private life. What would stop them from doing the same if this is agreed to.
Well, Wills can’t because someday he will be an actual piece of the sovereign grant - he’ll have to accept 25% and it will be on him to fix up the official royal residences and whatever. But who cares if others do? AFAIK, the current “working royals” are basically the queen’s cousins, the queen’s children, and Charles’s children. Can’t say I care if Anne decides against accepting sovereign grant money.
And actually I think the Duchess of Kent used to teach music? So she doesn’t take the money/support. None of the Queen’s grandchildren other than William and Harry are supported with it, nor do they have official offices or PR people.
But, again, if the royal family agrees to this, what is stopping everyone else from doing the same? Declining the sovereign grant but accepting the money from other areas, where most of their money comes from, allowing them to earn their own income, and establishing themselves outside the monarchy? It just leads to a very messy situation for the monarchy and can set a bad precedent for the establishment.
W+K have always made it obvious they would much prefer a private life. What would stop them from doing the same if this is agreed to.
Would he still be next in line if he did that? I don’t know, just wondering.
Line of succession has no bearing on whether or not you accept the money, or if you are a working royals, or whatever. Zara Phillips Tindall is like 18th in line and she’s a professional equestrian.
I think this is great. It’s 2020. The whole monarchy thing is dumb anyway. Harry didn’t ask for this life. He’s a human being trying to be a human. He doesn’t want to be tethered to UK Disneyland? Who cares. Everything is made up and the points don’t matter.
Well, again, it's the Sovereign Grant that stops them from earning independently. So it actually makes sense for them to stop taking that first while they build their own enterprise - whatever that may be. I would expect their long-term plan is to not need any support from the Duchy over time.
But, again, if the royal family agrees to this, what is stopping everyone else from doing the same? Declining the sovereign grant but accepting the money from other areas, where most of their money comes from, allowing them to earn their own income, and establishing themselves outside the monarchy? It just leads to a very messy situation for the monarchy and can set a bad precedent for the establishment.
W+K have always made it obvious they would much prefer a private life. What would stop them from doing the same if this is agreed to.
I agree. I'm against them doing this if it's going to significantly rock the boat. There are more countries than just the UK who would suffer if there's an unstable monarchy. Americans are all "yeah, follow your dreams!" It's easy to cheer on when your country's not affected by it.
That being said, long term I think it will be fine. Harry is not next in line, and it makes sense to slim down the core Royal functions to just the Queen and her direct heirs. I think the palace knew this was coming, even if the response seemed frosty.
I'm sorry to report that I didn't see them once while they were here, even though I live 10 minutes from where they were staying!
I can’t believe there are presumably Americans in this thread giving M&H grief for wanting to throw off the monarchy. HAVE YOU NO SHAME MADDAM?! 🇺🇸
I don't many are shaming them for this, but for me, I worry that this isn't really thought through, especially with security and media. The tabloids were racist and shitty but that was them being held back! Like the Kate topless thing- tabloids in France and half of Europe published the photos while the UK didn't.
I really do hope they are happy and I think living away from the BRF will be good for them in the long run, but it's a "grass is always greener" thing.
ETA: I do think the BRF is at fault for a lot of this, though. With the tabloids, they should have been stricter with them and threatened to yank the royal rota thing, but they chose to save Andrew and Kate/Wills Affair over M&H.
At best the RF has been okay with H&M serving as gossip cover for their own misdeeds. At worst they were actually leaking the rumors. I think H&M begged them to speak up for them, get rid of some of the worst offenders on the royal rota etc. And they just sat on their hands. Not once did they publicly say anything about the horrid mistreatment by the press. So The Sussexes took it all into their own hands and did not allow them to control the narrative.The announcement might not have been perfect and it certainly didn't follow protocol. But I think the Sussexes know what they are doing.
There is also some speculation that the Sussex lawsuit against the DailyMail might have uncovered leaking by the royals. That of course is speculation, but I could see from Harry that being the last straw. Realizing not only is your family not speaking up, but instead throwing you to the wolves.
But, again, if the royal family agrees to this, what is stopping everyone else from doing the same? Declining the sovereign grant but accepting the money from other areas, where most of their money comes from, allowing them to earn their own income, and establishing themselves outside the monarchy? It just leads to a very messy situation for the monarchy and can set a bad precedent for the establishment.
W+K have always made it obvious they would much prefer a private life. What would stop them from doing the same if this is agreed to.
Well, Wills can’t because someday he will be an actual piece of the sovereign grant - he’ll have to accept 25% and it will be on him to fix up the official royal residences and whatever. But who cares if others do? AFAIK, the current “working royals” are basically the queen’s cousins, the queen’s children, and Charles’s children. Can’t say I care if Anne decides against accepting sovereign grant money.
And actually I think the Duchess of Kent used to teach music? So she doesn’t take the money/support. None of the Queen’s grandchildren other than William and Harry are supported with it, nor do they have official offices or PR people.
I think Sophie kept her job for a while after she married Edward and he tried for a while to have a career in documentary filmmaking. I don't know what eventually led them to give it up, but I'd be curious to know.
I can’t believe there are presumably Americans in this thread giving M&H grief for wanting to throw off the monarchy. HAVE YOU NO SHAME MADDAM?! 🇺🇸
I don't many are shaming them for this, but for me, I worry that this isn't really thought through, especially with security and media. The tabloids were racist and shitty but that was them being held back! Like the Kate topless thing- tabloids in France and half of Europe published the photos while the UK didn't.
I really do hope they are happy and I think living away from the BRF will be good for them in the long run, but it's a "grass is always greener" thing.
ETA: I do think the BRF is at fault for a lot of this, though. With the tabloids, they should have been stricter with them and threatened to yank the royal rota thing, but they chose to save Andrew and Kate/Wills Affair over M&H.
IDK, everything Meghan has done so far has been complete before she announced it. The cookbook, the Vogue guest editorship, the Smart Set - she doesn't seem to be a gal who announces things before she's thought them through.
But, again, if the royal family agrees to this, what is stopping everyone else from doing the same? Declining the sovereign grant but accepting the money from other areas, where most of their money comes from, allowing them to earn their own income, and establishing themselves outside the monarchy? It just leads to a very messy situation for the monarchy and can set a bad precedent for the establishment.
W+K have always made it obvious they would much prefer a private life. What would stop them from doing the same if this is agreed to.
I agree. I'm against them doing this if it's going to significantly rock the boat. There are more countries than just the UK who would suffer if there's an unstable monarchy. Americans are all "yeah, follow your dreams!" It's easy to cheer on when your country's not affected by it.
That being said, long term I think it will be fine. Harry is not next in line, and it makes sense to slim down the core Royal functions to just the Queen and her direct heirs. I think the palace knew this was coming, even if the response seemed frosty.
I'm sorry to report that I didn't see them once while they were here, even though I live 10 minutes from where they were staying!
Can you explain why other countries would suffer if the UK monarchy was unstable or fell? Why would the UK even suffer? Except culture wise? They have zero political or executive power. They seem to basically spend a ton of tax payer money to go on fancy vacations or charitable events. They seem to be full of toxic people. I mean protecting a likely child rapist and a bunch of racists? What is the point of ensuring their continued reign.
This is a mess. If the BRF truly knew nothing about this then the Queen’s response makes sense. What they posted is confusing to people, they aren’t leaving the royal family, but want to leave “senior status,” but want to keep serving patronages, but want to live elsewhere and (presumably) keep their titles and be free to merch off of said titles? I think they are calling the Queen’s bluff to see how much she will let them get away with, because they clearly don’t want to just “quit.”
Well, Wills can’t because someday he will be an actual piece of the sovereign grant - he’ll have to accept 25% and it will be on him to fix up the official royal residences and whatever. But who cares if others do? AFAIK, the current “working royals” are basically the queen’s cousins, the queen’s children, and Charles’s children. Can’t say I care if Anne decides against accepting sovereign grant money.
And actually I think the Duchess of Kent used to teach music? So she doesn’t take the money/support. None of the Queen’s grandchildren other than William and Harry are supported with it, nor do they have official offices or PR people.
I think Sophie kept her job for a while after she married Edward and he tried for a while to have a career in documentary filmmaking. I don't know what eventually led them to give it up, but I'd be curious to know.