Duke and Duchess of Sussex: Future Duties, Roles and Responsibilities

[JuliannaVictoria]

The only thing I'll hesitantly believe is couriers had discussions about Harry & Meghan working abroad. Other than that, one of the article's sources claims members of the royal family think Meghan wants to run for POTUS, which tells me these 'sources' are delusional

We already knew that they were going to spend a lot of time abroad working for the Commonwealth, but what the article is talking about is basically sending them off somewhere on a somewhat permanent basis to harness their power of popularity for the U.K., but also dimming their presence in the U.K. (out of sight, out of mind mentality).

This also tells me that some of the courtiers if this is true (who knows, Roya does have sources) are so out of touch. SM anyone...?

 

[Osipi]

All I can say is that these stories and rumors and gossip about feuding and discontent, backstabbing and the behind the scenes machinations against each other to come out on top reminds me more of a beauty queen pageant scene than it does a family dedicated to working for the good of the monarchy.

The "ship the Sussex family off abroad" scenario sounds like it was heisted from the "what to do with the Duke and Duchess of Windsor" during WWII to keep the man from causing mayhem. He became the Governor General of the Bahamas keeping him away from the battleground that was to be Europe at the time.

Think I'm going to start a vigil looking for the Easter Bunny to hop on by. A quest for chocolate is a far more pleasant past time than dwelling on infighting within the BRF.

 

[Curryong]

I do believe that senior advisers at KP, BP and possibly CH have been viewing the Sussex phenomenon (both positive and negative) with concern since the wedding. There was perhaps a hope that with the splitting of the Households (which effectively shuffled Harry and Meghan off to BP,) that the emphasis and focus of the media would shift, but that doesn't seem to be happening.

I bet they wish it was back in the 1940s and Harry could be offered a GG role in Australia or Canada, leaving the limelight on the Cambridges in the UK. Impossible now!

 

[King of the Jungle]

If Harry and Meghan were to work abroad for more months of each year - under the umbrella of working for the Commonwealth or an African charity - I think it would be at their own suggestion. It could be exciting and worthwhile work. Media would love it.
I don't beleive the brothers don't get along but they have forged their own paths and their own families, like grown ups do.

 

[O-H Anglophile]

I do believe that senior advisers at KP, BP and possibly CH have been viewing the Sussex phenomenon (both positive and negative) with concern since the wedding. There was perhaps a hope that with the splitting of the Households (which effectively shuffled Harry and Meghan off to BP,) that the emphasis and focus of the media would shift, but that doesn't seem to be happening.

I bet they wish it was back in the 1940s and Harry could be offered a GG role in Australia or Canada, leaving the limelight on the Cambridges in the UK. Impossible now!

Why would the focus of the media change? William and family are relatively boring and do not bring much attention to themselves, so not much to write about. Meghan is new and is exciting just by being different and unexpected in a number of ways. Add to that the rivalry stories, which have been a RR staple for years and years, and cha-ching$

 

[Dman]

None of this rings true...are you guys really buying into this?


LaRae

Nope, but these palace officials haven’t done much of anything to stop these terrible rumors from snowballing. Such a sad thing for a pregnant woman to have to go through.

 

[Fijiro]

It's behind a paywall. Anyone want to take a stab at summarizing the high points?

here is the article
https://pagesix.com/2019/04/20/pala...-rock-star-royals-harry-and-meghan-to-africa/

 

[JuliannaVictoria]

here is the article
https://pagesix.com/2019/04/20/pala...-rock-star-royals-harry-and-meghan-to-africa/

That's a mere summary of the 1st article. The 2nd article puts everything into perspective.

 

[Ista]

here is the article
https://pagesix.com/2019/04/20/pala...-rock-star-royals-harry-and-meghan-to-africa/

Thank you for posting that.

 

[sndral]

...
The "ship the Sussex family off abroad" scenario sounds like it was heisted from the "what to do with the Duke and Duchess of Windsor" during WWII to keep the man from causing mayhem. He became the Governor General of the Bahamas keeping him away from the battleground that was to be Europe at the time.
...

Interesting parallel, sending the Windsors to the Bahamas for the duration of the war happened for several reasons, not least of which was that the Duke was behaving in a way that was hindering the war effort. Refusing to recognize the Duchess as an HRH resulted in the Windsors not living in the U.K., which suited King George VI and Queen Elizabeth as it assured that David, who had been immensely popular, did not eclipse his brother.
The difference now is that with the world wide reach of the press, you can’t find a place far enough away to banish the Sussexes to, because wherever they go the press will be sure to follow. I don’t believe the RF or their courtiers are naive enough to think they can diminish the attention the Sussexes get by sending them elsewhere. Rather, they are trying to come up with the best way to capitalize on the charismatic couple. I assumed when Meghan had her wedding veil embroidered with flowers from all of the commonwealth countries that they were sending a strong signal they’d be heavily involved in cementing the ties within the commonwealth, a subject close to the Queen’s heart.
Harry has always had more charisma than William. Harry, who actually served in a battle zone, who passionately and successfully advocated for his causes. William never seemed perturbed by Harry’s success before, why would it change now?
Prince Andrew was once a dashing Falkland war hero and Princess Margaret was far more glamorous than her staid and careful sister, the Queen. They each had their moment in the sun, but ultimately, the steadfastness of the Queen has triumphed in the affections of her people. Likewise, I suspect, the ‘boring,’ ‘predictable’ Cambridges will serve their subjects and the monarchy well.

 

[Chloep]

...It also remains to be interesting that in my opinion Kate and Meghan honestly don't seem to have any issues between them, but Harry hasn't been seen interacting with his brother at shared engagements since last November.

 

[Sunnystar]

It also remains to be interesting that Kate and Meghan don't seem to have any issues between them but Harry hasn't been seen interacting with his brother since last November.

Wasn't he just at the David Attenborough film premiere with Charles and William last month?

 

[Chloep]

Wasn't he just at the David Attenborough film premiere with Charles and William last month?

Yes, exactly and in my opinion, their lack of interaction was jarring in contrast to their past ways.


Something is clearly brewing behind KP's walls, I don't see how this is still undeniable. Even this very article just names entirely too many names for it to be completely fictitious...

Just to be clear, no I don't take this at face value. I am certain that Harry and his African American mixed race bride and their to be mixed race child won't be 'shipped of to Africa'. It is not possible for several reasons (for example, Meghan's citizenship application and Harry being Counsellors of State that requires him and spouse to live in the UK by law).

 

[Dman]

First of all, William is not the next King. He’s the future Prince of Wales and he and his wife is very popular. Harry and Meghan is also very popular and they all make up the new faces of the Monarchy.

The Queen is handing down lots of responsibility to the younger royals, so Harry and Meghan aren’t moving away to Africa. Now, they may do a tour and produce a project down there, but they’re not going to pack up and move so William can be satisfied.

The press is enjoying milking the rumor of a sour relationship between the two brothers. We can be made at them, but I think KP, CH and BP has handled all of this stuff wrong. The lack of effort to stop these rumors have helped the rumors gain a life of its own. They’ve allowed the narrative of the Royal Fab Four turn into the Royal Sour Four. None of this is good.

 

[andi]

All the commotion & concern from couriers about Harry's role seems excessive. Why can't he just focus on his patronages & projects like Princess Anne, Prince Andrew & Prince Edward? Harry's popularity should be seen as a positive for the firm and it shows that support for the monarchy is secure.

 

[muriel]

What I was trying to say in my original post was we should go back to the way we posted before the advent of Meghan. Honest and comfortable, without fear or favour, disagreeing with some posts and totally endorsing others without OUR members reflecting the tension of 'outside", worrying if our post could be perceived as racism, sexism, trying to undermine Meghan, taking a swipe at Catherine.

Asking, no demanding, the source of a piece of information and utterly rejecting vague answers. We are better than that, or we used to be. Vegan? Oh please, rubbish from the net. Vegan paint? Good grief does it even exist? Non toxic and environmentally friendly, yes.

Is there a chance that we can just call it as we see it? Some of us have "known" each other for years just like Muriel knows I am unlikely to agree about where Meghan sourced her clothes being an issue and she is going to tell me why it is. We all have interactions like that, they are exactly what the seem. Can't we just continue to debate the issue without someone being over-sensitive?

Usually ugly stuff just oozes off the net. The fight of the Duchesses followed by the fight of the Dukes. We are too afraid to post it, laugh, demand a reputable source and call BS when none is forthcoming.

Very well put, and a thought I have expressed a view times before. The attraction of TRF was always a place where disparate views could be expressed and discussed in a respectful manner. We did not always agree, but we could agree to disagree in a civil and respectful manner. We increasingly have a situation here where contrarian views are really not appreciated, and some members often just do not bother posting as it does not seem worth the bother.

 

[Cocoasneeze]

It makes no sense to "send" Harry and Meghan "somewhere in Africa", when they just moved to a newly renovated house, while Meghan is in the middle of applying a UK citizenship, and when clearly Meghan and Harry have long term plans with their UK and commonwealth patronages and charities. The Times article makes the courtiers sound and look really out of touch.

 

[Lumutqueen]

None of this rings true...are you guys really buying into this?


LaRae

I don't believe this story, but I do really like the idea. The Commonwealth is a huge part of the world, and it really should have long term representatives from the RF.

Nope, but these palace officials haven’t done much of anything to stop these terrible rumors from snowballing. Such a sad thing for a pregnant woman to have to go through.

If the palace tried to get every rumour, they be at their desks 24/7. It's impossible. When the palace does respond to rumours, the big ones, it makes the response more credible because they don't do it all the time.

 

[MARG]

OK, I call BS on the article. Harry has worked hard to be seen as a serious worker. He has successfully carved out a place for himself and, trolls notwithstanding, Meghan has established herself as both a loving and supportive wife and a hard worker.

Their move to FC was always on the cards. Heavens, it was discussed as nauseum as to whether they would get Adelaide Cottage or York Cottage or . . . Then came the announcement that we all got it wrong and it was Frogmore Cottage, a forgotten historical gem. But we all expected a new home and KP was never part of that narrative.

The dialogue only changed with the DM and others insisting the wives were at each other throats.

 

[soapstar]

Roya Nikkhah is the reporter who wrote an article saying the Sussexes wanted their own household independent of Buckingham Palace and the Queen and Prince Charles put their foot down and told them no. She also wrote an article that kinda played into the whole "Duchess difficult" rumor. Nikkhah's reporting was dismissed/condemned by some royal watchers, so I'm actually surprised that this article about a Sussex move to Africa (and a rift with William) is being take at face value.

 

[Dalriada]

It’s interesting that matters about the royal rift are now discussed openly in the broadsheets and its not just the tabloid press. It’s all reminiscent of the war of the Wales’s back in the 1990s.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a-royal-rift-j3cft5d3d

 

[Lilyflo]

Roya Nikkhah is the reporter who wrote an article saying the Sussexes wanted their own household independent of Buckingham Palace and the Queen and Prince Charles put their foot down and told them no. She also wrote an article that kinda played into the whole "Duchess difficult" rumor. Nikkhah's reporting was dismissed/condemned by some royal watchers, so I'm actually surprised that this article about a Sussex move to Africa (and a rift with William) is being take at face value.

I don't think many will take it at face value. That's not to say there isn't an underlying truth in there. Also, courtiers may have all sorts of plans that won't ever come to fruition for a variety of reasons. The question for me is what is the main problem that's driving it all? As I said earlier, I think it's the complex dynamics of Charles / William / Harry & their relative positions versus popularity.

 

[Rudolph]

Buckingham Palace is not denying a report that officials have discussed sending Harry and Meghan to Africa as a way of capitalising on their appeal to young people in the Commonwealth - and of putting further distance between them and the Cambridges.

Buckingham Palace: “Any future plans for The Duke and Duchess are speculative at this stage. No decisions have been taken about future roles.
“The Duke will continue to fulfil his role as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador.”

Richard Palmer Twitter

 

[Lemon Lyman]

I’m not convinced. What if they want another child? Can’t see that happening aboard.

 

[solinka]

William and Kate might be less exciting than newlywed Harry and Meghan, but why are the royals expected to be flamboyant and interesting all the time?

Take a look at Queen Elizabeth. We love to praise her for her quiet dignity and bespoken composure, yet we expect the future king and heir to act like Big Brother contestants.

I have a feeling one can never satisfy people. Royals are not Hollywood stars, remember that.

 

[Heavs]

I can see the idea being floated but it doesn't seem practical longterm just now with a newborn, a new house and their patronages etc in the UK. A long tour, a big presence on the world stage through the Commonwealth an important project maybe but not exile until Charles becomes King or something.

Although funny, I remember a few years ago before Megan people were wondering if Harry wanted to live in Africa and work with Sentebale and other charities permanently and would meet and marry a charity worker there.

 

[Denville]

William and Kate might be less exciting than newlywed Harry and Meghan, but why are the royals expected to be flamboyant and interesting all the time?

Take a look at Queen Elizabeth. We love to praise her for her quiet dignity and bespoken composure, yet we expect the future king and heir to act like Big Brother contestants.

I have a feeling one can never satisfy people. Royals are not Hollywood stars, remember that.

well that's the problem. the second son is often able to be more popular because he has more freedom. Will is stuck with the dull duties, he's married with kids.. He is naturally anyway a rather quiet shy person and not an enthusiastic performer. Harry was always the "lively one"..and with a wife who has a background as an actress I think that they are both going to be the "glitzy" ones who can be more amusing and entertaining...
I don't think that clowning around comes naturally to William and if he tires to do it, it doesn't come off.
but back in the 80s when Charles and Di were very new and popular, there were calls for the queen to retire and let them take over.. they were young, attractive entertaining popular and she was a dull older woman who was out of touch...but she's still here!

 

[Mbruno]

I do believe that senior advisers at KP, BP and possibly CH have been viewing the Sussex phenomenon (both positive and negative) with concern since the wedding. There was perhaps a hope that with the splitting of the Households (which effectively shuffled Harry and Meghan off to BP,) that the emphasis and focus of the media would shift, but that doesn't seem to be happening.

I bet they wish it was back in the 1940s and Harry could be offered a GG role in Australia or Canada, leaving the limelight on the Cambridges in the UK. Impossible now!

I don’t think a position as GG in Australia or Canada is a realistic option. There has been a tradition since the 1950s of the GG of Canada being a Canadian citizen ( although not necessarily born in Canada like Adrienne Clarkson or Michaëlle Jean). Reverting to a British Prince as GG wouldn’t be politically acceptable and, frankly, would only play into the hands of the republicans who would bring back the “foreign Head of State” issue, which BTW seems to be their only concrete argument against the monarchy.

I am not as knowledgeable about Australia as I am about Canada, but I suppose the same reasoning would apply to advise against offering Harry the GG position. In fact, it would be even more politically toxic in Australia than in Canada since republicanism is stronger in the former than in the latter.

On the other hand, I don’t see Harry and Meghan living permanently in a foreign country that is not a Commonwealth realm. There are plenty of Commonwealth countries in Africa, but they are all republics. Having Harry in Botswana or any other African republic could bring back talk of neocolonialism, which would also be politically and diplomatically unacceptable. So I think it won’t happen. Besides, inside the UK, it would look like an exile punishment for the Sussexes, reminiscent of David and Wallis. It doesn’t make any sense

 

[CTchic]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1119900803471376385

 

[Mirabel]

well that's the problem. the second son is often able to be more popular because he has more freedom. Will is stuck with the dull duties, he's married with kids.. He is naturally anyway a rather quiet shy person and not an enthusiastic performer. Harry was always the "lively one"..and with a wife who has a background as an actress I think that they are both going to be the "glitzy" ones who can be more amusing and entertaining...

Eh, the same was said of Andrew, once upon a time.
He was more popular than Charles, hard as it is to believe today.

And the Snowdens were once the glitzy ones...

Popularity is very fickle; it can turn sour in a heartbeat. What matters is position in the hierarchy, and William is the one who has it. The RF is well-aware of that.