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Related: About this forumHarry and Meghan's "choices" likely mean their royal future is over
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Any chance of future royal roles for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is now dead in the water, according to royal sources talking to the Daily Mail. Its solely down to the choices they have made, a source told the Mail. There is no anger or animosity [on behalf of the Royal Family]. But every commercial deal that has been done by the Sussexes has been a nail in the coffin of any kind of return to royal life. This means that Harry and Meghans big-money declarations of independence from the royal familyled by their multi-million deals with Netflix and Spotifyhave invalidated their futures as royal family members. Another source told the paper: To come back would mean they would have to undo all the commercial tie-ups they have already done, and clearly Harry and Meghan dont want to do that. That is absolutely their choice and the queen has agreed they can pursue these new careers. But to cap it all, they have bought a house 6,000 miles away, which is an unmistakable statement of intent on their behalf. Sources also told the Mail that it was unlikely Harry would be able to get back any of his military roles, which will be a bitter blow to the prince who spent ten years in the army and is incredibly proud of his association with the armed forces. But neither Meghan nor Harry will lose their titles. The Daily Beast and other publications recently reported that Harry and Meghan wanted a 12-month extension to their Megxit probationary period, agreed when they left their senior royal roles last year.
That now doesnt seem likely. Harry was told very clearly in January by his grandmother that you work for the monarchy, the monarchy doesnt work for you, one source told the Mail. And if you cant accept that, then you need to walk away. Her Majesty was remarkably clear and decisive on that point and has never deviated from it, not once. I think what has evolved this year across the Atlantic has only served to prove her point. The deals they have done since moving to California clearly show the truth of it: they simply had ambitions that were completely incompatible with being members of the Royal Family, an insider told the Mail. It was their choice to leave and seek their fortunes elsewhere. No one exiled them. Indeed, the queen made clear she didn't want Harry and Meghan to go and that they are still very much-loved members of her family and have her support. Harry and Meghan are clearly where they want to be, and good luck to them. But their subsequent career choices have scuppered any chance of retaining even a quasi-official royal role. You simply cant do both roles without conflict. And contrary to speculation, it was actually a pretty straightforward decision on Her Majesty's behalf. The queen knows you cant have a working member of the Royal Family also being paid millions of pounds by Spotify to tell people to swipe and follow their podcast, or encouraging consumers to buy a certain brand of coffee. The two are simply incompatible.
Queen took all of two seconds to nix Harrys Cenotaph plan
The Daily Mail also reports that the queen personally decreed that a wreath would not be laid in his grandson Prince Harrys name at the Cenotaph in London to mark Remembrance Sunday last Novemberand that she made up her mind ruthlessly quickly, taking all of two seconds to make up her mind, according to the Mail. The story is in direct contravention to the original Palace linethat it had been courtiers who had taken the decision to not allow the laying of the wreath without consulting the queen. Remembrance Sunday is sacrosanct when it comes to Her Majestys diary, a source told the paper. Its one of the most important dates in her calendar and nothing is done without her knowledge. People were suggesting the Palaces reaction to what Harry asked was petty. But it was the queens decision. And whats more, she actually had very strong views on the subject. Another source told the paper: While she has enormous admiration for Harrys achievements both in and out of the military, this was seen as an example of his lack of understanding at what it means for him to be a non-working royal. The queen is very firmly of the opinion that you can't pick and choose what you do when it comes to the institution. Either you are inor you are out. Harry and Meghan were photographed at the Los Angeles National Cemetery on that Sundayand were criticized for staging what many saw as a tacky PR attempt to overshadow the royals gathering at the Cenotaph itself. It was also revealed that the actual wreath that Harry wanted to be laid in his name had been unearthed, languishing in a cardboard box at the Royal British Legions Kent HQ.
Senior palace figures hope Meghan will drop her case
Can Meghan find an elegant way to drop her legal case against Associated Newspapers, the publisher of the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday? Senior figures at the palace certainly hope so, according to a report in The Sunday Times. There is a possibility that Meghan could get what is known as a summary judgement later this month (when the judge decides he does not need to hear witnesses or consider further evidence to pronounce his verdict), but it is unlikely. That will open up the astonishing prospect of Meghan facing off in court against her estranged father, Thomas, because the case centers around Meghans claim that her privacy rights were breached when the Mail on Sunday published extracts from a letter she wrote to him in 2018. The Sunday Times reports that the prospect of that happening is being regarded with increasing horror at the palace, where courtiers are astonished the case has even got this far, and that several former Sussex staffers are already preparing to be grilled in the witness box. They are desperate for Meghan to drop her suit to protect the royal family. One courtier told The Sunday Times: A trial would be traumatic for Meghan and Harry, it will expose palace operations, members of staff would be dragged into it on the witness stands...it would be deeply uncomfortable for the institution. The Sunday Times reports on a long-circulating rumor that Harry and Meghan first sought the advice of lawyer Gerrard Tyrrell, who acted successfully for the Prince of Wales after the Mail on Sunday published extracts in 2005 from his private diary, in which he described the Chinese leadership as appalling old waxworks. Tyrrell warned the Sussexes not to sue the Mail on Sunday, but that Meghan and Harry ignored his advice. The trial had been scheduled for this month but was postponed at Meghans request for reasons described as confidential.
Kate has tried to reach out to Meghan, with no success
The Mail also reports that Kate Middleton and the Countess of Wessex (Sophie, Prince Edwards wife) have both repeatedly reached out to Meghan, particularly after she told ITVs Tom Bradby how unhappy she was. But their conciliatory overtures were rebuffed, the Mail said. The Mail also says that Prince William and his father Prince Charles have become close. William has realized that if he is going to make it work, he needs to be more aligned with his father and they need to work as a team, a source told the paper. William and Kate have also reportedly grown closer in recent months. The paper said all eyes would be on William and Harry if they are reunited for Prince Philips 100th birthday in June, and then the unveiling at Kensington Palace of the memorial statue to their mom, Princess Diana. If the two brothers can make that work, then we have hope, a source told the Mail.
Going live
Harry and Meghans new Archewell website went live this week, featuring a huge picture of Diana with Harry as a baby on her shoulders. A second picture shows Meghan with her mom, Doria. The use of the picture of Harry with Diana, and the fact that the website makes absolutely no mention of either Harry or Meghans father, has attracted the ire of some critics. A syntactically awkward joint statement from the couple on the websites landing page, entitled a letter for 2021 reads: I am my mothers son. And I am our sons mother. Together we bring you Archewell. We believe in the best of humanity. Because we have seen the best of humanity. We have experienced compassion and kindness, From our mothers and strangers alike. In the face of fear, struggle and pain, it can be easy to lose sight of this. Together, we can choose courage, healing, and connection. Together, we can choose to put compassion in action. We invite you to join us. As we work to build a better world. One act of compassion at a time. Veteran royal journalist Phil Dampier told the Daily Mail it was very significant that Harry called himself his mothers son but made no mention of Prince Charles. Charles walked Meghan down the aisle on her wedding day when her father did not attend. The website listed five organizations Harry and Meghan said they have chosen to support. They include: the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University; the Center for Humane Technology in San Francisco which aims for safer, more compassionate online communities; the Loveland Foundation, which offers mental health support to Black women and girls; the Center for Critical Internet Inquiry at the University of California in Los Angeles, which champions racial and economic justice in the technology world, and chef José Andrés World Central Kitchen, which is building four community relief centers in regions affected by hunger, starting in Dominica and Puerto Rico.
This week in royal history
Can it really only be a year since Harry and Meghan quit the royal family? Why yes! On January 8, 2020, the royal couple published their bombshell website which said they were planning to step back from frontline royal duties. The website laid out a comprehensive vision of how they would like their roles to be configured going forwardbut they have instead been completely cut out of the royal familys public life.
Unanswered Questions
How bad will this be? Meghans estranged sister Samantha Markle is due to release her long-trailed memoir, The Diary of Princess Pushys Sister Part 1, on January 17. The book promises to tell the hidden truths about her family, as a royal fairy tale plummets from the tea towels, and describes Markle, who is in a wheelchair and suffers MS, as a squeaky wheel who is no stranger to challenges or tenacity.
Mike Nelson
(10,289 posts)... we should see each other more as equals, with nobody born "royal"
Manifestor_of_Light
(21,046 posts)They can't be paid shills for products and be royals. They shouldn't be airing their dirty laundry in court. And I'm no fan of the ugly inbred Germans of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, but they just don't get it.
Am reading a book about Meghan and Harry by Lady Colin Campbell.
Squinch
(52,791 posts)brutal and inhumane and should be brought to court when they break the law.
Manifestor_of_Light
(21,046 posts)Civil lawsuits are oftentimes brought by rich people against their relatives to split up the family business.
It can be a form of entertainment for the wealthy. These were lawsuits in the U.S. that I saw.
muriel_volestrangler
(102,502 posts)The law appears to hold that the writer (Meghan) holds the sole copyright, and the recipient (her father) doesn't have the right to publish it in full (by letting the Mail publish it), although he had the physical letter. The case is about whether what was published went beyond the limits for fair comment, criticism etc.
OneBro
(1,159 posts)Piers Morgan is their go-to for such anti Harry & Meghan chum, but when he needs a break they bring in professional trolls with sources. Daily Mail articles about Harry or Meghan have ONE goal in mind: to churn up thousands of vile, unabashedly racist, hate-filled comments from their core of far white-wing readers. One need only read a few of the comments in those articles and click on the names of the commenters to see just how dedicated they are to venting their rage against Harry for ruining the royal family, and against Meghan for being uppity enough to (gasp!) marry him.
In short, Daily Mail is to Meghan Markle what Fox News and Limbaugh are to Michelle Obama. Harry and Meghan left the UK for many of the same reasons black people fled the toxic south during the Great Migration.
Celerity
(46,235 posts)OneBro
(1,159 posts)The Daily Beasts aggregation of multiple Daily Mail articles and supposed sources doesnt change this gutter gossip into credible news, and the idea that anyone sane would look forward to a tell-all book by Markels kooky half-sister suggests that 2021 already has a loose lug nut.
Celerity
(46,235 posts)hlthe2b
(106,385 posts)I admit to having some grudging respect for the Queen, who has been through a lot, but I don't see the future of the monarchy being sustained--at least not in any manner similar to the current. It is not for me to decide that is for sure. Then again, I will NEVER understand BREXIT either.