This will be heartbreak for the Queen
AFTER a week of wrangling among the Royal Family, the way is now clear for “Megxit” or “Harryvederci” – to give the latest nickname for the end of the Sussexes as senior working royals.
In practice, they are surrendering the precious title HRH – the one the last American duchess,wallis Simpson, was so desperate to acquire.
The two statements released last night could not show more clearly the heartbreak for the Queen, who is effectively losing her grandson from the royal fold, and his wife whom she had tried to guide through the role required of her.
It must have caused much pain for the Monarch, 93, to write these words: “Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much-loved members of my family.”
The truth is she, and Prince Philip, 98, may not see Archie again.
Her warm statement comes in sharp contrast to the terse official statement from Buckingham Palace which may more closely resemble the feelings of Prince Charles, Prince William and other senior royals, who must now assume the duties and patronages tossed aside for an uncertain new life.
Harry, who loved his
Army life, has had to give up military appointments – the one surviving link to that important part of his adult life.
The Sussexes may keep
“private patronages and associations”, although it is often hard to make a distinction between public and private royal charity work. Their plans for commercial use of the brand “Sussex Royal” are missing from either statement.
While the Queen and other senior royals have given in to Harry and Meghan’s demands for a new life, it has come at a cost: apart from the loss of public funding, they must repay the £2.4million refurbishment costs of theirwindsor home, Frogmore Cottage, which has caused so much disquiet among the public.
The details of their security costs have not been revealed, but it may be assumed that the British and Canadian taxpayers will foot the bill unless a statement to the contrary is issued.
Harry is at special risk because of his operational service in Afghanistan.
Essentially, he and his family will be subject to the same procedure for our former prime ministers who also receive state-paid protection.
‘It must have caused much pain for the Monarch’