Profound sadness of a troubled Sovereign
IN poignant words yesterday, the Queen reminded us that behind all the sound and fury over Harry and Meghan’s peremptory decision to retreat from royal life lies a hurt and disappointed grandmother, desperately worried about the future of her family.
It was a deeply personal statement, of a type rarely issued by this most stoical of monarchs. In just six sentences she used the word ‘family’ eight times, showing exactly where her priorities lie.
Her tone was as measured as ever, but there was no mistaking her profound sadness over this schism – or the fact that it was thrust upon her without warning.
Pointedly, she said that while she accepted their decision, she would have ‘preferred’ the couple ‘to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family’.
But with the regret there was also steel. The Queen clearly doesn’t want this imbroglio to drag on indefinitely.
She demanded final decisions be made ‘in days’ for a transition period, after which the Sussexes may no longer be ‘reliant on public funds in their new lives’ – something they say they want.
Of course, there is still much to thrash out. Will they keep their HRH rank and titles? Will they fund their own security? Will they keep Frogmore Cottage? Will they continue to rely on handouts from the Prince of Wales?
But there is no doubting the Queen’s message: If you must go, go quickly.
Nothing was said officially of Prince William’s attitude to his brother’s actions.
They issued a joint statement yesterday comprehensively rubbishing a report in one newspaper that they had fallen out over his
‘bullying’ behaviour towards Meghan. But their relationship is clearly fractured.
Harry partly acknowledged this in a documentary last year, saying they were now ‘on different paths’. And this week, a Sunday newspaper quoted William as saying: ‘I’ve put my arm round [Harry] all our lives and I can’t do that any more. We’re separate entities.’
It is perhaps the saddest aspect of this whole fiasco that these two young men, who have weathered such grievous loss and tragedy together, have become so estranged. One can only imagine the heartbreak it would have caused their mother, Diana.
And if Harry does live much of his future life in a foreign country, losing his most enduring and intimate confidant may turn out to be his greatest regret.
Will he be as happy pouring out his troubles to Meghan’s celebrity chums?
There’s no question that this very public fallout has harmed the Royal Family. And it could conceivably get worse.
There have been reports that several American TV networks are trying to persuade Meghan to give a tell-all interview – one in which she would doubtless be portrayed as a victim.
We know from the ‘War of the Waleses’ in the 1990s, when both Charles and Diana took to the media during their marriage split, just how damaging airing dirty royal linen in public can be.
The last thing the Queen needs is for this affair to be turned into a similarly agonising soap opera.
But we must hope that doesn’t happen, and that Harry and Meghan will start thinking with head as well as heart.
Fascination with their tales of victimhood would only last so long. If they want financial independence, they must earn it with dignity and careful judgment.
Merely touting themselves to the highest bidder or trading on their royal status to sell merchandise would put them in danger of appearing tawdry and cheap.
As well as creating yet more heartache for our long-suffering Sovereign, that would ultimately be very bad for business.