Will Prince Harry champion Canadian causes?
Future of royal patronages uncertain
Prince Harry made his last public appearance as a full-time royal on Thursday, hosting the Rugby League World Cup 2021 draw at Buckingham Palace, even as it remains unclear what will become of such patronages held by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The couple’s website states that they intend to continue to support their patronages, the organizations to which they have pledged their name and time, and carry out works for the monarchy “as called upon.” But the couple has also stated their desire to create a “new charitable entity” and achieve “financial independence.” If they are looking to reduce their workload, that reduction must come from somewhere, and many of their public appearances are in support of their 20 patronages.
“We haven’t had someone this close to the throne step back in this type of way,” said St. Francis Xavier University history professor Barry MacKenzie, who studies the monarchy. “I can understand why these groups or organizations are sort of unclear about what’s going forward, because I don’t think anyone outside the palace really has a very good handle on exactly what it’s going to look like.”
The Duke and Duchess could look to take on Canadian patronages. They don’t currently hold any, but the Queen is patron of 18 Canadian organizations; Prince Philip of 41; and Prince Charles 11. Ten more patronages are divided up among other members of the royal family.
“It’s going to be up to the Queen and Harry and Canadian officials to mould this,” MacKenzie said. Hopefully it’s something that provides a good service to Canada — if that’s what they’re looking for — and provides some satisfaction to Harry and Meghan, obviously, as well.”
Meghan may already have this possibility on her mind as she visited two organizations in Vancouver on Wednesday that help women and girls. The duchess visited the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre and Justice for Girls, an organization aimed at helping teen girls and young women who live in poverty.
“We were so honoured that she chose to come visit,” said Justice for Girls co-director Zoe Craig-Sparrow. An aide reached out to the organization to arrange the hour-and-a-half meeting after the Duchess learned about the charity. “She said that she thinks it’s really important to engage with local organizations.”
While they didn’t discuss any future collaborations, CraigSparrow said the organization would be happy to work with Meghan.
On Wednesday, The Mirror reported that mere hours before the Duke and Duchess announced to the world the intention to reduce their royal duties and spend more time in North America, Meghan visited the National Theatre in London and gave no indication that her patronage could be under threat. Meghan received the role from the Queen, who was patron of the organization for 45 years.
“There is a lot of worry about whether the Duchess will stick around after failing to tell theatre bosses of her intentions,” a senior official told the British tabloid. “She appeals to a crosssection of ages and genders and it was hoped she would be a real force for change in the industry. We hope she doesn’t abandon us.”