Independence Day: Queen Elizabeth agrees grandson Harry, wife Meghan can exit senior royal role

[webfact]

Independence Day: Queen Elizabeth agrees grandson Harry, wife Meghan can exit senior royal role

By Toby Melville and Gerhard Mey

 

Britain's Queen Elizabeth departs from St Mary Magdalene's church on the Sandringham estate in eastern England, Britain January 12, 2020. REUTERS/Toby Melville

 

SANDRINGHAM, England (Reuters) - Queen Elizabeth has reluctantly agreed to her grandson Prince Harry and his wife Meghan's wish for a more independent future after the British royal family held crisis talks on Monday to resolve a widening rift among the Windsors.

 

Harry and his American actress wife will now begin a "period of transition" that will see them split their time between Britain and Canada as they also seek a lifestyle less encumbered by royal duties and to end their reliance on public funding.

 

It comes after what the 93-year-old queen described as "very constructive discussions" between herself, Harry, his elder brother Prince William and his father and heir to the British throne, Prince Charles, at the monarch's rural Sandringham estate in eastern England.

 

A final decision on the future of the couple, officially the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, will be determined in days, she said in a statement.

 

Prince Harry's father and heir to the throne, Prince Charles, and his elder brother Prince William were to attend the meeting at the queen's rural Sandringham estate in eastern England, a palace source said.

 

"My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family," Elizabeth said.

 

"Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family."

 

The statement was highly unusual both in its informal tone and its personal nature, addressing the couple by name rather than by their titles.

 

Meghan, who is currently in Canada with their infant son Archie, had been expected to join Monday's discussion by telephone.

 

The royal crisis was triggered when Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, publicly announced last week that they wished to step back from royal duties and spend more time in North America.

 

Although there had been initial discussions about their future, neither the queen nor Charles were consulted beforehand, a step seen as hurtful and premature by a family whose roots go back through a thousand years of European history It also exposed suspected divisions in the Windsor family and prompted soul-searching over what it means to be royal in the 21st century.

 

"NEW ROLE"

Harry and Meghan say they want a "progressive" new role for themselves and financial independence. As one of the world's most glamorous couples, they have also made clear that they were struggling with the intense media scrutiny.

 

Last year, they announced legal action against a British tabloid, and Harry said papers had been bullying his wife in a way reminiscent of the hounding his mother Princess Diana had suffered before her death in a Paris car crash in 1997.

 

But it is unclear how they will pull off a partial pullback from royal roles - which some media have dubbed "Megxit" in a play on Britain's tortuous Brexit departure from the European Union - or who will pay for a transatlantic lifestyle.

 

Currently, they are mainly funded by money from Prince Charles's Duchy of Cornwall estate as their royal roles have precluded them seeking personal incomes.

 

"These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days," the queen said in her statement.

 

Prince Charles, 71, has long sought a leaner royal family, but it is unclear how Harry and Meghan would fit into that model - especially if they essentially become Hollywood superstars.

 

In trying to resolve the crisis, the most powerful members of the so-called royal "Firm" are aware that the final outcome could shape the monarchy's future.

 

Elizabeth has served the country loyally since ascending the throne in 1952, earning the respect and admiration of most Britons, including many republicans, but the family has also sometimes faced accusations of being aloof and out of touch.

 

The breakdown in royal relations has dominated the British media for days, with newspapers running a host of stories, based on quotes from unidentified royal insiders, about a split between Harry and William, the Duke of Cambridge, and anger at the top of the family amid suspicion of leaks and ostracism.

 

In a sign of the tensions, Harry and William issued a rare public statement on Monday to denounce a report by the Times newspaper based on an unnamed source which said Harry and Meghan had been pushed away by "a bullying attitude" from William who had not been welcoming to Meghan.

 

"FALSE"

"Despite clear denials, a false story ran in a UK newspaper today speculating about the relationship between The Duke of Sussex and The Duke of Cambridge," the statement said.

 

"For brothers who care so deeply about the issues surrounding mental health, the use of inflammatory language in this way is offensive and potentially harmful."

 

The furore over the couple, who married in May 2018 in a glittering ceremony watched by millions round the world, comes after a tough 2019 for the royal family.

 

Prince Andrew's friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein came under uncomfortable scrutiny while the queen's husband, Prince Philip, 98, received a police warning over a car crash.

 

(Reporting by Toby Melville; Writing by Guy Faulconbridge and Michael Holden; Editing by Kate Holton and Gareth Jones)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-01-14

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[madmen]

They are worth 69 million combined so they dont need queeny and Markle will pobably make that amount again over then next 20 years in fim and TV. Harry on the other hand will need to play mr mom as there is no demand for an ex prince

[TopDeadSenter]

Interesting to read that the couple refuse to live in the USA while Trump is POTUS. So that means another 5 years bouncing around "woke" countries. Canada certainly fits the bill, and NZ is uber-woke but perhaps a bit small for Meg's ego?

 It was a little surprising hearing Meghan refer to Trump as being "divisive". A bit rich after Meghan single handedly split the British Royal family and also the Markle family. Some introspection required I believe.

 Good luck to the both of them, but I still advise Harry to cut her loose and marry the real duchess of Sussex, Chelsy Davy. They seemed to enjoy each other and always looked like they were having fun.

[stevenl]

1 hour ago, madmen said:

They are worth 69 million combined so they dont need queeny and Markle will pobably make that amount again over then next 20 years in fim and TV. Harry on the other hand will need to play mr mom as there is no demand for an ex prince

No demand for an ex prince? You think he wouldn't be able to give lectures, speeches, and get handsomely paid for that?

[colinneil]

Harry, Harry past time you grew a pair, you are becoming a wimp, allowing that woman to drag you down.

[OneMoreFarang]

1 hour ago, TopDeadSenter said:

Interesting to read that the couple refuse to live in the USA while Trump is POTUS.

Maybe you missed it but Trump supporters outside of the USA are few in numbers.

And it's not difficult to understand that people don't want to live in a country with a moron for president.

[OneMoreFarang]

How gracious that she accepts Harry's decision. What else should she do? Tell him: "Harry, you can't do that. I insist!" Or what?

I understand why they just published their decision without asking the queen first. Here are the facts, like them or not, you have to deal with them.

I wish them all the best, enjoy your life. Hopefully soon without the UK tabloids.

[RichardColeman]

I like to consider myself a bit of a royalist, but this couple are just taking the proverbial. 

Free weddings, free housing, free tax payers money. Want no royal obligations but want keep titles and live the Disney life. 

Total joke. Just cut them free, cut the money, take the houses. Let Canada have them and all their bills !

 

 

[JonnyF]

Good. Hopefully that's the last we hear of these spoiled, woke, hypocritical, whining brats.

[Ventenio]

This dumb lady would rather be an "influencer" on social media than in the Royal family.  The epic breakdown is happening, and soon she will be begging for more and more attention.  This guy picked the wrong one.  

[JonnyF]

14 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Maybe you missed it but Trump supporters outside of the USA are few in numbers.

And it's not difficult to understand that people don't want to live in a country with a moron for president.

You're living in Thailand, right?

[stevenl]

The judges are out in full force, all based on the tabloids.

Or could it be their opinions are influenced by her being independent, older than he is, divorced, American and coloured?

[Dcheech]

Obviously this touches a nerve in lots of people. 

 

Sadly I skipped reading the tabloid articles, thought it an upscale version of 'Keeping up With The Kardashians' Oh well, back to Jersey Shore reruns on cable.

[BritManToo]

36 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I don't know if that is the case or not. But it would be understandable. Because Harry can't just go to Nana or Soi 6 for an hour. It seems he has very limited options, or to be precise just one option. She can say yes or no and that's it.

Charles, Diana and Andy never seemed to have problems playing away.

Don't know why you think Harry would be any different.

Most of the royal 'hangers on' would be more than happy to bang any of 'em.

[canthai55]

26 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

Free weddings, free housing, free tax payers money.

Do the same to the whole Royal family.

Why - in 2020 - are people forced to subsidize a family who has that much loot ?

Oh - Tradition !

Bunch of Manure

[JonnyF]

45 minutes ago, stevenl said:

The judges are out in full force, all based on the tabloids.

Or could it be their opinions are influenced by her being independent, older than he is, divorced, American and coloured?

How predictable (and sad) that a virtue signalling SJW would immediately accuse someone who doesn't like Markle of being a racist, ageist and anti-American.

 

You didn't point out she was a woman by the way, that was a missed opportunity for labeling people who you disagree with as Misogynists as well. An amateur mistake for someone of your expert level "wokeness".

 

 

[BritManToo]

9 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I am not American and obviously they should vote whoever they want over there, whatever party. But please next time try to find someone who is honest, competent and intelligent. I know people like that exist in the USA. Why don't you vote for them?

You mean someone more like Blojo, Merkel, Trudeau or Macron?

 

Back to the OP,

Harry used to be ordered around by granny, now he's ordered around by wifey.

One of them holds all the dosh, one of them provides all the red-hot sex.

It's a hard choice, if he's tries to keep them both happy he'll probably end up getting no sex and no money.

 

 

Edited January 14, 2020 by BritManToo

[JonnyF]

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I don't know if that is the case or not. But it would be understandable. Because Harry can't just go to Nana or Soi 6 for an hour. It seems he has very limited options, or to be precise just one option. She can say yes or no and that's it.

Well Harry hasn't got much of a choice over anything now has he? She's cut him off from his family so if he falls out with Markle while over in the US then he's got nothing to fall back on except a few hangers on. She's got him exactly where she wants him.

 

In the words of the great Ice-T "you played yourself, ain't nobody else's fault you played yourself".

[thaibeachlovers]

3 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

You mean someone more like Blojo, Merkel, Trudeau or Macron?

 

Back to the OP,

Harry used to be ordered around by granny, now he's ordered around by wifey.

One of them holds all the dosh, one of them provides all the red-hot sex.

It's a hard choice, if he's tries to keep them both happy he'll probably end up getting no sex and no money.

 

 

Getting it now? LOL.

 

The question I'd like answered is why, when she knew what being a "royal" entailed, she married him in the first place?

It's totally out of order if they don't want to be royals, but expect to live large off the brand.

[thaibeachlovers]

37 minutes ago, TheDark said:

I would say it takes balls to defend his isolated wife, who has had to experiences constant and open hostility by the English nation and press.

There is a reason that she's disliked by many, and it's not racism or misogyny.

The usual PC reaction to dislike of an unpleasant woman is that it's anything but the fact that they are unpleasant.

[thaibeachlovers]

1 hour ago, stevenl said:

The judges are out in full force, all based on the tabloids.

Or could it be their opinions are influenced by her being independent, older than he is, divorced, American and coloured?

or could it be that she is an unlikable, high maintenance, self entitled user?

[Nyezhov]

4 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Harry used to be ordered around by granny, now he's ordered around by wifey.

One of them holds all the dosh, one of them provides all the red-hot sex.

It's a hard choice, if he's tries to keep them both happy he'll probably end up getting no sex and no money.

You called that one dude. Harry may have some Mommy issues. He could have gotten himself something younger and hotter, but theres no accounting for pheromones.

 

Harrys got to man up I think. That means telling Megan, sweetie, you can suck it up and be a HRH or go back to LA and do voice overs as you age out, and your Momma doesnt look great let me tell you.  And if you dont toe the line and I cant satisfy THE QUEEN, shes gonna cut us off and frankly, I can buy a lot of strange with 10 million quid a year for traveling around and smiling a lot while you struggle in Hollywood. 

 

And he should have thought of all this before he knocked her up. But who am I to judge.

 

I really try not to pay attention to too much to do with any Royalty, especially ones that aint at the top. But I do think the Queen is cool.

 

Being a royal must suck. Like yeah, you get flunkies fawning over you all the time and you get to dress up in utterly cool clothes and medals and jewels and such and have soldiers and guards and folks curtsey and kowtow, but what if you feel like just sitting around in your underwear without shaving or bathing and eat donuts in the Amber Room? For a week! Can you imagine not being able to let lose with that morning rip because all the seats are Louis XIV? Guess no beans for you then anymore.  Or like if you run out of bingo tickets in the Royal Loo...do you just holler for some flunky to bring you some? And if you try to sneak over to the closet holding up your Royal Trews to grab another roll , like what if a maid sees you? Do you even know where the bingo tickets are? Do they tell you? And say you want to pound some Buds with the boys at a Superbowl party, its like no dude, you cant, you have to give a medal to Lord Frothingslosh for his services to the Royal Gardenia Society? And god forbid you are in Thailand and trying to kill some time, its not like you can go fire down some Changs at Rainbow and then top off the night in Kasalong. Naw, its like Ambassadors and such. Uggg. Id rather be the fat loser I am, maybe Harry wants some freedom too. 

[ICELANDMAN]

The queen Elizabeth at 93 and still decides for the whole family for four generations, true that with all the imbeciles of the family she has no choice, and  Meghan not will make also a fatal accident but nothing is sure about this dangerous family, the murderous ancestor is not a good guarantee.

[colinneil]

6 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

or could it be that she is an unlikable, high maintenance, self entitled user?

Not very often i agree with you, but this time you are 100% correct.

Harry was using the wrong head when he met/ married her, as you say, she is a user.

[stevenl]

41 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

How predictable (and sad) that a virtue signalling SJW would immediately accuse someone who doesn't like Markle of being a racist, ageist and anti-American.

 

You didn't point out she was a woman by the way, that was a missed opportunity for labeling people who you disagree with as Misogynists as well. An amateur mistake for someone of your expert level "wokeness".

 

 

Only pointing out facts. And I agree with you and Colin, it is sad she was approached this way from the very beginning.

[shackleton]

With Charles on about downsizing the Royal Family looks like him Prince William and his kids direct line

Prince Harry will be thinking I am out of the loop

Might as well do my own thing

Which I agree with let them get on with it

Life is about choice let them have theirs 

 

 

 

 

[VocalNeal]

2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Because Harry can't just go to Nana or Soi 6 for an hour. It seems he has very limited options

He can now slip over to Vancouver for a "massage" 

Edited January 14, 2020 by VocalNeal

[evadgib]

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

Great comparison!

Pity he ruined it by tarring the ???????????????????????????? instead of the ????????

[Scott]

Inflammatory post reported and removed.  

 

[sandyf]

4 hours ago, Puchaiyank said:

What else could the Queen say to try and save a little Royal Face and Power over the maverick independent couple?

It is a little bit more complicated than it appears on the surface.

When Princess Diana broke from the royal family she lost security and the Palace were criticised for putting her life at risk, something they will desperately try and avoid.

It does not matter what Harry thinks or says he and his family will remain high profile targets. Any solution will need to justify the expense of security.