Man, this seems like a HUGE deal to me. I don't know how they'll make it work the way they want to unless Harry actually leaves the line of succession, which would also be a massive deal as long as Will's kids are minors.
The BRF do an awful lot of work with their patronages, and the vast majority are filled by members of the family who will likely mostly not be around anymore in twenty years or so. If Charles wants to shrink the family so that duties are not filled by, say, Edward and Sophie, or any of William and Harry's cousins, that leaves Will and Harry and their families.
The loss of security detail doesn't necessarily make me nervous for their physical saftey, but is just another factor in my skepticism about how well this will go. The truth is, I don't think H&M can do anything to get the private life they want. Once you're in the BRF, there's no going back.
What exactly do they mean by “financially independent”? IMO that would mean working or money you earned & saved but I think what they mean is living off her savings and his inheritance vs taking money from the royal family/taxpayers.
Most people with enough inherited money to live on would consider themselves financially independent. For the Sussexes it means not depending on the Crown or the family for their continued income, since anything Harry inherited from Diana or QEQM already belongs to them.
ETA: I'm assuming they'll still get significant non-monetary benefits from the BRF, like maintaining a residence at Frogmore or one of the Queen's other properties, if they want that.
Post by thelurkylulu on Jan 8, 2020 15:23:04 GMT -5
I’m curious if BP knew they were announcing this today. I was reading an article yesterday (?) about them leaving the family and BP didn’t comment, which some found odd. Meghan and Harry also did an event this week. Which seems a bit odd if they had this planned out.
I think this whole thing will be more of an adjustment for Harry than anyone else. He’s grown up very privileged and it’s not like he can just ever be normal and live a normal life.
As far as citizenship, what does that look like for them? I am assuming she’s still in the process of becoming a citizen there?
I hope Meghan and Harry are happy and have really thought this out. I was reading something a few months back stating that if they walk away from being working royals, they also lose a ton of security and relations with the paps. In the UK, there has always been an understanding that the press would leave the children alone but they won't have those same protections in North America or other areas they plan on residing.
I wonder if they would move to Canada? That would be ideal, I think.
It would be, and that was my assumption reading between the lines when they said "North America." It's part of the Commonwealth, Meghan had lived there for years, and if she wants to go back into acting, Canada is ripe with showbiz opportunities.
I wonder if they would move to Canada? That would be ideal, I think.
It would be, and that was my assumption reading between the lines when they said "North America." It's part of the Commonwealth, Meghan had lived there for years, and if she wants to go back into acting, Canada is ripe with showbiz opportunities.
And it was apparently where they spent their 6 week break. Perhaps they were house hunting!
It would be, and that was my assumption reading between the lines when they said "North America." It's part of the Commonwealth, Meghan had lived there for years, and if she wants to go back into acting, Canada is ripe with showbiz opportunities.
And it was apparently where they spent their 6 week break. Perhaps they were house hunting!
Yes, I am so behind that I didn't know they didn't spend Christmas in the UK. Then I saw Vancouver and I was like, "A-ha! Hollywood North." lol
I'm not sure how to share tweets but Richard Palmer, a royal reporter, tweeted this.
Statement from the Queen’s office at Buckingham Palace: “Discussions with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage. We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through.”
It would be, and that was my assumption reading between the lines when they said "North America." It's part of the Commonwealth, Meghan had lived there for years, and if she wants to go back into acting, Canada is ripe with showbiz opportunities.
And it was apparently where they spent their 6 week break. Perhaps they were house hunting!
I can't wait until HGTV announces they did a special House Hunters episode with them. LOL.
I'm not sure how to share tweets but Richard Palmer, a royal reporter, tweeted this.
Statement from the Queen’s office at Buckingham Palace: “Discussions with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage. We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through.”
I'm not sure how to share tweets but Richard Palmer, a royal reporter, tweeted this.
Statement from the Queen’s office at Buckingham Palace: “Discussions with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage. We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through.”
I'm not sure how to share tweets but Richard Palmer, a royal reporter, tweeted this.
Statement from the Queen’s office at Buckingham Palace: “Discussions with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage. We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through.”
This does not sound fully supportive of H&M.
I agree.
To me, it seems like H&M released the statement without prior approval, or letting Buckingham Palace know, that they were doing so.
To me, it seems like H&M released the statement without prior approval, or letting Buckingham Palace know, that they were doing so.
I got that some impression -- but then I wasn't sure if they'd actually do that. That would be BOLD.
I feel like that’s basically the route they went in their interview. I am sure there have been behind the scenes convos, but maybe it’s not moving as quickly as Harry and Meghan would like. So, they’re just like F it! However, that approach isn’t going to help the media scrutiny they’re trying to get away from.
Well, good grief. I don't blame them. They take all this time off, come home, do a simple visit to some Canadian House to thank them for their time spent in Canada and she's being ripped apart because apparently she has pit stains in some photos? So clearly she isn't noble enough to handle the role. If I was her, I would have come home and told my husband "Eff that noise. I'm done." And like the great husband he is, he agreed.
I got that some impression -- but then I wasn't sure if they'd actually do that. That would be BOLD.
I feel like that’s basically the route they went in their interview. I am sure there have been behind the scenes convos, but maybe it’s not moving as quickly as Harry and Meghan would like. So, they’re just like F it! However, that approach isn’t going to help the media scrutiny they’re trying to get away from.
My thoughts exactly. Releasing this statement prematurely, without ironing out all the details, just draws more media attention to themselves and puts them under even more scrutiny.
I love this for them. I am a Meghan stan, so there is little that she could do that I wouldn't agree with, but this seems ideal for them. They have all the name recognition they need to be able to use that to further their desired charity/social platforms, and they both have the ability to make plenary of money. Hell, I am sure they could live off speaking engagements if they would like. I do think it might be a touch difficult for Harry, but, he is still a rich, white man...so, he'll be fine. Hopefully being with Meghan has made him aware of exactly how immense his privilege has been.
I am a little surprised by the Queen's statement...only because they do everything they can to appear non-confrontational, and, well, that is not that. lol
Love it. The Queen has been a hot mess for the whole of 2019 as are her people so I would bet money there have been convos but it wasn’t moving with any speed and they decided to release their statement on their own terms.
I used to enjoy the queen but her dogged defense of Andrew is disgusting and she has made misstep after misstep this year.
I wonder how much the accusations against Andrew and how the family handled it factor into this. His interview was a ridiculous mess and showed just how out of touch he is, and how he's the worst example of straight, white, rich, male privilege. And then the family basically did nothing about it - 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.
Meghan has always been an outspoken advocate for women and Harry has somewhat become one too. I would not be surprised if the timing of their 6-week vacation was meant to avoid, at least in part, all the mess around Andrew and then being that he has faced basically no consequences from the family, they want to distance themselves from a toxic institution.
Palace source tells BBC that no members of the family were told about this before they made their statement:
They weren't consulted? Or they weren't told? To me those are different words with different meanings, and it's not clear to me how it's being used here.
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.
Palace source tells BBC that no members of the family were told about this before they made their statement:
They weren't consulted? Or they weren't told? To me those are different words with different meanings, and it's not clear to me how it's being used here.
OMG can you imagine if the very first that the Royal Family heard about this plan or that they intended to go through with it was via Instagram post?? To be a fly on those walls....
But I don't know. I have a hard time envisioning Harry not at least calling up the Queen to give her a heads up -- he may not have asked her opinion, but I don't think he would have blindsided them. Unless things have deteriorated that much in their relationship with the family.
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.
But if Andrew isn't a working Royal, then why would it go to him if it doesn't go to Harry? Also, I think that if the Queen, Charles, and William all die in the next 11/12 years, they should just pack it up and call it a day. They've had a good run but this was obviously not meant to be.
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.
But if Andrew isn't a working Royal, then why would it go to him if it doesn't go to Harry? Also, I think that if the Queen, Charles, and William all die in the next 11/12 years, they should just pack it up and call it a day. They've had a good run but this was obviously not meant to be.
Being a working royal doesn't determine whether or not one is in the line of succession. Andrew is still in the line, as is Harry. Harry could voluntarily give it up (although reading their entire statement, that doesn't seem to be his intention). Andrew could lose his place if he faces legal ramnifications from the Epstein situation.
ETA: When I first posed the question, I wondered if Harry was going to give up his right in the line of succession, because it wasn't clear how much he's trying to distance himself from the family.
No wonder William has been so frosty. I'd be pissed too if my younger brother got all the trappings of wealth and power associated with being royal and then peaced out leaving me to be hounded by the press while the royal family imploded/dies.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for this for Meghan and Harry. Good for them. But I'd be so annoyed if I were William and Kate that I couldn't also GTFO. And had to sacrifice my first born to the machine as well.
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.
Post by thelurkylulu on Jan 8, 2020 16:34:46 GMT -5
They’ve updated their website with more information. Victoria Murphy on Twitter has more info. Idk how to post tweets. They’ve been thinking about this a long time and clearly had a plan if they’re updating their website within hours of the announcement.
I need to research what the Royal Rota is because it states they won’t be participating in that anymore. They’ll also be “engaging with up and coming journalists”
I need to research what the Royal Rota is because it states they won’t be participating in that anymore. They’ll also be “engaging with up and coming journalists”
It's the agreement between the family and the press for interviews and coverage. The rules they play by. Not sure it's going to play out how H&M think it will.
I’m very surprised that the Sussex PR team apparently didn’t coordinate with Buckingham place and Clarence House before releasing this statement. If I worked for the Sussexes this would be the kind of thing where I’d triple check with BP&CH before putting this release out there.
Presumably they’re being paid by the royal family, not Harry & Meghan personally?
So is the Sussex PR team totally incompetent and never checked with the Queen and Charles’s people? Are they all in Burn It Down Mode and they’re all breaking off on their own? Did H&M put this out personally without even informing their own team? So many questions.
I need to research what the Royal Rota is because it states they won’t be participating in that anymore. They’ll also be “engaging with up and coming journalists”
It's the agreement between the family and the press for interviews and coverage. The rules they play by. Not sure it's going to play out how H&M think it will.