Can this heal the royal rift? One hopes so
AS a young woman, our Queen had no desire for the throne. But since the crown was thrust upon her head, she has served Britain dutifully and uncomplainingly.
What a stark contrast with her skittish grandson Harry. Two years after the taxpayer stumped up £32 million for their fairy-tale wedding, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have regrettably walked out on the Royal Family.
The privileged pair had sought a gilded half-in, half-out role – all the monarchy’s perks with none of the drawbacks. The Queen has disavowed them of that notion.
Harry and Meghan will no longer use their HRH titles, nor perform royal engagements. The couple will repay £2.4 million of public money for renovating Frogmore Cottage. And brave ex-soldier Harry will drop his military roles.
In return, they’re free to enjoy a jetsetting life, pursuing lucrative commercial deals. Indeed, Netflix and Apple are already fluttering their eyelashes.
But the couple must tread carefully. Tarnishing or cheapening the monarchy while seeking fortunes would be unforgivable. Yet they’ve already trademarked T-shirts and tea towels – some say tackily.
Nor should they embarrass the country by running lucrative errands, Tony Blairstyle, for sheiks and oligarchs. As for that holiday mansion in Vancouver, being in hock to billionaires is not a good look.
Nevertheless, it’s indisputable Harry felt suffocated in the royal goldfish bowl. His and Meghan’s tastes and views were too self-indulgent for sovereignty’s strictures.
Now, with customary wisdom, the Queen has acted decisively, but compassionately.
Her highly personal statement made explicitly clear the duke, duchess and baby Archie were ‘much loved’.
Could this start the healing process? One hopes so. This has undoubtedly been the Royal Family’s most dramatic rupture since King Edward VIII abdicated in 1936.
At 93, the Queen didn’t deserve her family’s dirty laundry being aired in public.
But thankfully, the crisis has not been fatal to The Firm. Rather, by fashioning an elegant escape hatch for those unsuited to royal life, the Queen may actually have strengthened the monarchy.