Much has been written and spoken about the 'Sussex Royal' Roadshow which has all the makings of a long-running soap to compete with 'East Enders', 'Dallas' or even 'Suits'! (As an aside even the name 'Sussex Royals' sounds more like a strain of sweet potato to me, but then I'm very partial to sweet potato)
Harry Windsor, the grandson of the Queen of England and leader of the Commonwealth of nations, was, when he was born the son of Charles and Diana, third in line to the throne. He filled the long-standing obligation for 'an heir and a spare'. He has now slipped to sixth position, with the arrival of three children to William and Kate but one feels worse, slipped even further in the affections of the Sovereign, his father, brother and nation. How having been brought up in such an environment, he could have been persuaded to act so precipitously and unwisely, is anybody's guess.
He has benefited from wealth and all the advantages an advanced state and preeminent family has had to offer. First rate education at Eton and Sandhurst with active service in Afghanistan, a tragic background when his mother was killed in a road incident, attractive personality that appeared to be devoted to good causes and the disadvantaged, he carved a special place in the affections of both a domestic and world-wide audience. All this and his relationship with brother, father and wider family, appears to have been put at risk by his recent activities that seem to have been overly influenced by his desire to pacify and protect his new wife, Meghan Markle.
It is impossible to get into the mind of another person although words and actions must be taken as indicators. Of the two brothers, Harry always evidenced suggestions of unease and dissatisfaction. Arguably he was less able to cope with the loss of his mother and the circumstances of her death. He has publicly expressed unhappiness with how he was required to walk behind her cortege. In private he may harbour doubts as to the official account and hold ambivalent views on the how and why of her death.
He may also feel subconscious obligations to honour her memory by in a way replicating both her behaviour and recklessness. As a young person he associated with a wild bunch, drank alcohol and engaged in other activities that raised concerns. He was notoriously photographed nude at a party. Many liked him precisely because of his 'laddish' behaviour. He appeared free of the stuffiness and protocol traditionally associated with Royalty. He was 'one of us'.
This public good will could forgive a lot. It followed him when he made the decision to marry Meghan Markle, the daughter of a mixed and broken marriage, an actress who traced her maternal ancestors to American slaves. There is little doubt he was besotted by her charms, he fell in love and now feels obliged to protect and mollify her.
There are also by his own admission, reverberations of the treatment of his mother and wishing to protect Meghan from the same, although the parallels of courting the media by both are tactfully ignored. In some ways the choice of the partner fits Harry's rebellious character and may partly explain the most recent decisions.
https://www.google.com/search?q=queen+charles+william+image&rlz=1C1ARAB_enGB463GB464&sxsrf=ACYBGNQ65aS5qS3eELn5sBCwdLgQpnPmdg:1578835852982&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=Va9MH0EbpV389M%253A%252COBmSFBWyYLveBM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kQ3CcAgw20k5HoWpYk46Os8fwEtiA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj2xLPxlf7mAhXjnFwKHfd-DLcQ9QEwA3oECAoQBQ#imgrc=Va9MH0EbpV389M:
The decision to distance themselves from family and country, may to some be understandable; the way it was done less so. How a Prince of the Realm, so steeped in Royal Protocol and alert to how the media operate, could make such an important announcement without first discussing the plan with the Palace, demonstrates either naivete or malice, and neither are particularly commendable.
Apparently he or they were most recently upset by two instances of perceived photographic snubs: the first the Queen's Christmas message when their framed photograph did not appear with others; then an official photograph of Queen, Charles, William and George, clearly demonstrating a line of succession from which Harry was excluded.
To what extent the recent statement resulted from pique is hard to determine. It appears that Internet preparations have been long in the making, which makes the lack of consultation with the Crown even less understandable or forgivable. It is a tactical mistake that will be hard to forget. How Her Majesty and Royal Highness respond awaits to be seen, lessons having been learned from the Charles and Diana debacle as well as others including that of Harry's great-uncle Edward VIII, with whom there are obvious parallels.
As to the future, a dubious life of partial royalty, exile, celebrity appearances and wealth seem likely to await but these are unlikely to enhance reputations or engender affection or respect. It also hard to see how family schism and sniping can be avoided with consequent damage to the institution. The Crown is wholly dependent on the love and respect of the public. Without it it becomes an empty and Pyrrhic shell. Indeed some have suggested this may an objective of dark forces of which Harry and Meghan have become the actors.
Will the marriage survive it all? One cannot help thinking that the statement below directed as it is to the public, rather than to the Crown, is indicative of another tragic miscalculation that public support will be retained. Public opinion has already been badly dented and any animosity created is sure to be directed towards Meghan Markle for leading her husband astray from his duty to the nation and destiny as the Monarch's grandson. Yet again in Royal circles, sadness and disappointment are the prevailing emotions that engendered.
Statement by His Royal Highness
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
01 OCTOBER 2019
As a couple, we believe in media freedom and objective, truthful reporting. We regard it as a cornerstone of democracy and in the current state of the world – on every level – we have never needed responsible media more.
Unfortunately, my wife has become one of the latest victims of a British tabloid press that wages campaigns against individuals with no thought to the consequences – a ruthless campaign that has escalated over the past year, throughout her pregnancy and while raising our newborn son.
There is a human cost to this relentless propaganda, specifically when it is knowingly false and malicious, and though we have continued to put on a brave face – as so many of you can relate to – I cannot begin to describe how painful it has been. Because in today’s digital age, press fabrications are repurposed as truth across the globe. One day’s coverage is no longer tomorrow’s chip-paper.
Up to now, we have been unable to correct the continual misrepresentations - something that these select media outlets have been aware of and have therefore exploited on a daily and sometimes hourly basis.
It is for this reason we are taking legal action, a process that has been many months in the making. The positive coverage of the past week from these same publications exposes the double standards of this specific press pack that has vilified her almost daily for the past nine months; they have been able to create lie after lie at her expense simply because she has not been visible while on maternity leave. She is the same woman she was a year ago on our wedding day, just as she is the same woman you’ve seen on this Africa tour.
For these select media this is a game, and one that we have been unwilling to play from the start. I have been a silent witness to her private suffering for too long. To stand back and do nothing would be contrary to everything we believe in.
This particular legal action hinges on one incident in a long and disturbing pattern of behaviour by British tabloid media. The contents of a private letter were published unlawfully in an intentionally destructive manner to manipulate you, the reader, and further the divisive agenda of the media group in question. In addition to their unlawful publication of this private document, they purposely misled you by strategically omitting select paragraphs, specific sentences, and even singular words to mask the lies they had perpetuated for over a year.
There comes a point when the only thing to do is to stand up to this behaviour, because it destroys people and destroys lives. Put simply, it is bullying, which scares and silences people. We all know this isn’t acceptable, at any level. We won’t and can’t believe in a world where there is no accountability for this.
Though this action may not be the safe one, it is the right one. Because my deepest fear is history repeating itself. I’ve seen what happens when someone I love is commoditised to the point that they are no longer treated or seen as a real person. I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces.
We thank you, the public, for your continued support. It is hugely appreciated. Although it may not seem like it, we really need it.
MEDIA INFORMATION
Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Sussex has filed a claim against Associated Newspapers over the misuse of private information, infringement of copyright and breach of the Data Protection Act 2018.
The proceedings in the Chancery Division of the High Court relate to the unlawful publication of a private letter.
A legal spokesperson from Schillings who are representing The Duchess of Sussex said:
“We have initiated legal proceedings against the Mail on Sunday, and its parent company Associated Newspapers, over the intrusive and unlawful publication of a private letter written by the Duchess of Sussex, which is part of a campaign by this media group to publish false and deliberately derogatory stories about her, as well as her husband. Given the refusal of Associated Newspapers to resolve this issue satisfactorily, we have issued proceedings to redress this breach of privacy, infringement of copyright and the aforementioned media agenda”.
The case is being privately funded by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Pending a Court ruling, proceeds from any damages will be donated to an anti-bullying charity.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have released a statement saying they intend to step back as senior members of the Royal Family. Here's that statement in full:
A personal message from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex:
"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."
Buckingham Palace responded with a statement saying:
"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."
Hot on the heels of Prince Andrew controversy, information that has been sat on for one and two decades, we now have Meghan Markle driving a horse and carriage throught the remnants of the British Monarchy. The question must at least arise, is this orchestrated in some way to undermine the last British Institution of international repute - if so it is.
June 18, 2019
"Meghan Markle is doing such a good job at destroying the monarchy, she could be a foreign agent.
The idea seems far-fetched, that the CIA would train a B-list Hollywood actress and use her as a honey trap to infiltrate the British royal family where she would wreak havoc and bring about demands for the abolition of the aristocracy.
