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Harry, Meghan to quit royal jobs, give up 'highness' titles

73 Comments
By JILL LAWLESS and GREGORY KATZ

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Harry got what he's wanted, an exit from a life that restricted every part of his enjoyment of it. He loves his wife and son and did the best thing for them all. I hope they have a long and happy life, and I bet his mom would have approved 100%.

17 ( +20 / -3 )

Now let's see how the British press and trolls find ways to complain about this.

5 ( +13 / -8 )

The most racism I've experienced in Europe happened in UK, followed closely by East Europe. Just saying...

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

I bet on 5-6 years tops.

-2 ( +9 / -11 )

@Fizzbit,

Same here. in 5 - 10, Harrys mental issues will get worse and gold digger Meghan will do the very American thing and divorce and cash out.

-4 ( +13 / -17 )

@FizzBit

I bet on 5-6 years tops.

I can't agree with you. If you see how she was treated, not only by the media, but by members of the royal family, you would realize this is a forever move for Meghan. She was successful prior to her marriage; however, wondering how Harry will adjust is the real question. Meghan endured an incredible amount of scrutiny and racism as well as disrespect towards her and her family.

7 ( +14 / -7 )

I hope Harry won't get as bored of living abroad as Edward VIIIth did after leaving 'the Firm'.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Yet he will still enjoy the fame and celebrity status given to him by birth. And cash in on it. There should be only one way to leave that family...death.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

I hope it all works out for them.

Meghan should be fine. Truthfully, she will regain her freedom and will have the benefit now of her fame, which she did not have before Harry.

Harry is the question mark. He has known nothing but the life as a royal, albeit as the younger brother of William and not directly in line for the thrown. No longer being a working royal will be a huge change for him.

Obviously they have a lot of well-know people in their corner, so that will be helpful.

In the end, while I wish them the best, I do think the odds are against them. But perhaps this arrangement may give them the best chance of making it a lasting marriage.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

I agree with Hugh Grant's take on this. The tabloid media was at least complicit in, and at worst responsible for, the death of his mother. Now they are going after his wife. As a man, he has to protect his family.

Great article comparing how Megan is treated compared to Kate:

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ellievhall/meghan-markle-kate-middleton-double-standards-royal

12 ( +15 / -3 )

Poor Meghan... those on the left, who might be expected to support her because she’s a woman, don’t like her because she’s American. Right-wingers, who tend to like the Royals, don’t like her because she’s exotic, in the words of the Daily Mail (and we all know what they mean by that)....

0 ( +8 / -8 )

No longer being a working royal will be a huge change for him.

I don't think he'll have an issue. He mixed well in the military. And doors will always be open to him, even as an ex-royal he will see plenty of welcome opportunities. And without all of the restrictions.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

 those on the left, who might be expected to support her because she’s a woman, don’t like her because she’s American. Right-wingers, who tend to like the Royals, don’t like her because she’s exotic, in the words of the Daily Mail (and we all know what they mean by that)....

I'm tired of this nonsense. There are plenty of reasons not to like her that have nothing to do with nationality or race. Take your theories elsewhere.

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

This compromise is not remotely compatible or commiserate to security implication liability, the Canadian or British tax players are required to be responsible, and for decades to come.  

The sum is estimated to be between five and eight million sterling, annually.

Both the Duke and Duchess must contribute substantially, if they both pursue SussexRoyal, an unashamedly branded commercial enterprise model.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

@commanteer

Interesting. Are you saying that the casual, unpleasant racism so prevalent in British society has been somehow magicked away in Meghan’s case?

Or are you denying that it exists?

7 ( +11 / -4 )

Let be honest when Harry caught sight of……

The photograph of the Queen, 93, alongside the Prince of Wales, Duke of Cambridge and six-year-old Prince George was taken in Buckingham Palace's throne room on December 18, while the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were away in Canada…….

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7868289/Was-photo-pushed-Meghan-Harry-edge.html

In a fit of ego/pique Harry proverbially spat out his dummy.

Meghan racial, cultural, ethnic background is a cynical ruse, a red herring, an irrelevance.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

Now let's see how the British press and trolls find ways to complain about this.

If it is made clear that they live without any cash whatsoever from the UK taxpayer, this could shut up ‘trolls’ like me who have this strange idea that the principle of ordinary people paying for rich celebs is morally repugnant.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

@zones2surf

will have the benefit now of her fame

fame is not a benefit for everyone

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Indeed Jimizo, if debating and criticising this deal, and yes both The Duke and Duchess fragrant dismissal of the implications to the hard pressed tax payers, somehow can ludicrously be an example of trolling, than count me in.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I just have this bizarre sinking feeling this marriage won’t survive forever, just a feeling.....

-1 ( +7 / -8 )

Where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex marriage is concerned having no experience of matrimonial matters, I’m in a quandary, frankly I could not care less.

One aspect of the relationship though, both the Duke and Duchess of Sussex  are cut from the same cloth processing an innate gift, and team in place to cynically manipulate, the media, the public at large and ultimately Her Majesty The Queen.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

If it saves Brit taxpayers money, who's gonna stop them

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Speculating on how long this marriage will last is at the level of tabloid nonsense printing topless photos of Kate Middleton or her sister’s arse in tight trousers.

The stinking corpse of Murdoch’s News of the World has been reanimated.

11 ( +13 / -2 )

Unlike Princess Diana and Prince Charles who didn't love each other (and look how long that lasted), these 2 actually love each other

Good luck to them mooching less on taxpayer money

6 ( +8 / -2 )

But they angered senior royals by revealing their plans on Instagram and a new website without advance clearance from the queen or palace officials.

More tabloid trash talk. As the Queen's statement indicates, the discussions had been ongoing for months before. Most unfortunately, the details were leaked to The Sun--likely by a trusted source within the palace--precipitating the details going to the press in advance of any statements from Buckingham Palace. The Instagram/website move was an attempt to establish the other side. The malicious British papers made up the rest. And now the world believes it because they read it. Alas, that's how the brain works.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Meghan received an unfair amount of criticism. 

However, she doesn't help herself.

The UK is also one of the least racist countries in the world.

-3 ( +7 / -10 )

This couple should have been more honest BEFORE they got hitched that they were going to bail, IF, that is what they had actually decided together!

I suspect this was Meghans plan all along & Harry is being taken along for the ride, time will tell if he can get his pants back from her. She has asserted herself once the little one was born for sure.

I too think it wont last, clearly even though Meghan had to deal with some crap(what royal to be doesn't!!) she didn't even remotely give it a chance, that is why I predict the marriage will break down.

Time will tell as they say!!

0 ( +3 / -3 )

The UK is also one of the least racist countries in the world.

says the UKIP/British National Party guy who claims that black people can't be British because they're black. The level of utter garbage spaffed out by the far right on this site is simply astonishing.

lucabrasiToday 09:14 am JST

@commanteer

Interesting. Are you saying that the casual, unpleasant racism so prevalent in British society has been somehow magicked away in Meghan’s case?

Or are you denying that it exists?

He's saying that down is up and tomorrow he'll say that up is down. And believe it both days!

All relation to rational thought has been severed; there are countless examples of online racist abuse directed at Meghan Markle and the security services have been investigating death threats made by far-right groups against the couple for years. But hey! He claims it's not racist so that must be true!

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Goodness me, Alfie.

I have no interest in UKIP or the BNP. Aren't both defunct anyway?

I said black people cannot be ethnically British in the same way that white people cannot be Japanese. Of course black people can have British nationality. You aren't satisfied with that though.

You are a little hysterical sometimes.

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

@Commanteer

There are plenty of reasons not to like her that have nothing to do with nationality or race. 

Yes. There are reasons to dislike someone other than race or nationality. However, do not fool yourself into thinking that race and/or nationality played no part in it. An example: blackamoor jewelry which is well known and consider racist against people with dark skin. When Princess Michael was to meet Meghan and her family, she wore that broach even though she knew the implications. Then she tried to feign ignorance even though it was not her first time in that exact same type of incident.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

@Tangerine2000.

https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/cheddar-man-mesolithic-britain-blue-eyed-boy.html

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Of course black people can have British nationality. You aren't satisfied with that though.

A black person born and raised in Britain and who has known only British culture is just as British as any white person of similar upbringing. If you want to talk about ethnicity then if you go back a about 70000 years all humans migrated from Africa and where black. DNA evidence is proof of that

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Sounds like a good deal for them. They should however receive no benefits at all from the British taxpayers (i.e. they should fund their own security, living expenses, travel, etc.). They are paying back the money which was spent to renovate the place they were going to live so that is good.

They will be able to support themselves quite comfortably and are already capitalizing on the crown's name. They are now and will be much richer than any of us will ever be so again...as long as they support themselves I wish them well.

I agree the press was extremely hard on them however I am rather liberal and would consider myself far from a racist but she did not seem to come off so well to me.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Zichi...I did not know that. So in this case they will have no state sponsored security from here forward I guess.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The trials and tribulations of the super rich and famous. I feel so bad for unfortunate Meghan. She is a popular actress married to an actual Prince. She has the world at her feet - she is upset at a few criticisms from little known people jealous of her good fortune. It must be so difficult for her to live this hard scrabble life of hers - one that she freely got herself into - and must now flee to a second mansion in yet another country. I pity the poor girl.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

he turned his back on the military, his family (like it or not, always part of the royal family), and in a way, his country too. like i previously said, he became americanized. the whole “marrying a mixed American girl” and rebelling against the system is part of it. i think the fact of being the younger brother also plays a role in this, in the development of his character and the way he feels about the world, his world. this marriage won,t last for many years, and in the end, when he gets back, if he gets back, it,s gonna look like it was a very long dream (or a nightmare, depending on how you look at it). on the other end, i salute Meghan, even if i don,t like her, for helping people realize what an idiotic nonsense this “royalty/monarchy” thing is. hopefully it closer to its end than it was a few years ago.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

also i think after all is said and done... if they,re happy (and i hope her love for him is genuine), none of the other cr-p matters which i guess is supposed to be the most important thing. so just let them be. and for those talking about racism; not just the UK, but all of Europe is racist, remember how old Europe is, you can,t make history go away just like that. the thing is, we,re talking about royalty here, and when speaking about royalty, we end up speaking about blood types and pureness and other nonsense.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Currently there's a Canadian Naval ship anchored off the place where Meghan is staying.

zichi, That doesn't mean anything, I mean anything, I mean where else is the Cdn navy going to park a vessel, either on the east or west coast, the north has too much ice this time of year :)

2 ( +2 / -0 )

They might lose their titles and taxpayer lifestyle funding, but they still have Prince Charles and funds from the Dutchy of Cornwall.

Meghan Markle claiming racism is just typical of her American upbringing playing the victim, the British over all a decent bunch of people.

Predicting a 5-10 max before the marriage is over, Markle had a lot of red flags that Harry over looked - my sympathy goes with the Queen and Prince Phillip.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

@wtfjapan

A black person born and raised in Britain and who has known only British culture is just as British as any white person of similar upbringing.

"As British" is a civic sense, yes. In an ethnic sense, no. It would be like saying:

A white person born and raised in Japan and who has known only Japanese culture is just as Japanese as any asian person of similar upbringing.

(Asian also doesn't automatically means Japanese, just as "white" doesn't automatically mean British)

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Perhaps Prince Andrew's two little 'princesses' can follow in their example. I don't know what these two do. All I keep seeing in the newspapers is their latest holidays. Their parents are the epitome of everything that's bad about royalty, abusing the system for their own financial and personal gain.

collegepark:

Great article comparing how Megan is treated compared to Kate:

Thank you for that link. I certainly do remember the stark contrast in the way the tabloid newspapers covered their pregnancies, and the way they held their tummies. Jesus Christ. It doesn't surprise me most came from the Daily Mail. Absolute scum. Half their articles are plainly made up, and all their articles (the online version anyway) are littered with spelling and grammatical errors made by their so-called journalists. And the comments are worse.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Life is a precious gift. We need to cherish the gift of life. In the 21st century, more and more people of goodwill are realizing that life is same in the common people and in the uncommon. Laying down unnecessary yokes is becoming the normal thing nowadays. Serving the sick, the dying, the poor, the hungry, the exploited, the marginalized, are noble callings, second to none.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@Mayunia82

.

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2161867-ancient-dark-skinned-briton-cheddar-man-find-may-not-be-true/

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I have no interest in UKIP or the BNP. Aren't both defunct anyway?

Yet you frequently claimed to support Farage and often linked to youtube videos of a chubby middle-aged UKIP candidate droning on about Europe. Have you forgotten already?

You are a little hysterical sometimes.

I'm not the one who threw a hissy fit because the moderators kept deleting my comments about William Shockley, dysgenesis and Pakistani consanguinity in the UK. Nor did I call Strangerland a "spastic."

4 ( +6 / -2 )

@Zichi

"Seems less of a problem with the Japanese imperial family when a princess decides to marry a commoner and leave the system with a payoff ¥100-¥150 million."

In Japan princesses have no choice but to leave the Imperial family when they marry, it is the law. Everybody outside their immediate family is a commoner so no choice there either.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Are you saying that the casual, unpleasant racism so prevalent in British society has been somehow magicked away in Meghan’s case?

Or are you denying that it exists?

I'm saying it's not the explanation for everything.

He's saying that down is up and tomorrow he'll say that up is down. And believe it both days!

This. From a guy who couldn't find Fukuoka on a map.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

@commanteer

Fair enough. I can agree with that.

She doesn’t come across as particularly easy to deal with, or accommodating to other people’s wishes. But there’s an undeniable (I’d say) undercurrent of racism in the gutter press....

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Alfie, I know in your mind set that supporting some things that Farage says equates to life-long devotion to UKIP.

Why do you ascribe everything you don't like to the "far-right"? It must be hard work being so stressed about everything all the time. You sound like you are in a constant state of alarm. It is a form of hysteria.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

They might lose their titles and taxpayer lifestyle funding, but they still have Prince Charles and funds from the Dutchy of Cornwall.

Technically, that's personal wealth and not public funding, so that one is up to his family to decide and beyond our business

Predicting a 5-10 max before the marriage is over, Markle had a lot of red flags that Harry over looked - my sympathy goes with the Queen and Prince Phillip.

Parents often want their children to follow in their family business, but it's not uncommon for adult children to ultimately go their own way. What's uncommon is it's happening to the royal family

In this sense, the royal family is just experiencing what us commoners often are experiencing. I'm sure your sympathy implicitly extends to such commoners too, but such is life and we move on

So long as taxpayers aren't paying more for it. They're adults - parents have to let them decide for themselves and let them go and hope for the best. And that includes the royal family, just as us commoners

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I just have this bizarre sinking feeling this marriage won’t survive forever, just a feeling.....

Bass4funk - I think it might be more than just a feeling but rather a deeply held hope that the marriage collapses. That would really warm the cockles of a certain type of commenter.

If the marriage does collapse, it will not have been without the help of a certain type of mean spirited Brit who never got over the fact that this "exotic" woman married a prince. They are the same people who voted for Brexit and deny climate change.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

So they decided for baby Archie too. Was he consulted? Did he give his approval? I bet baby Archie wants to remain a royal.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Harry has been a celebrity in the U.S. since he was a child. He loves that lifestyle. Meghan has just helped to facilitate it. They always knew what they were doing, It was always the plan.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Meghan joined the royal family after a successful acting career and spoke enthusiastically about the chance to travel throughout Britain and learn about her new home, but disillusionment set in fairly quickly.

She got paid about $ 50,000 per episode in TV series “Suits”. She flew out to the UK and looking for footballer boyfriend, but landed in Buckingham Palace ground and married to Prince Harry. Meghan was a free range actress from Canada before she married to Prince Harry. So she cannot live in the cage. That's why she bolted away to Canada. She already night out and drinking at bar with friends. Meghan enjoys being in public and clubbing with friends. Germaine Greer predicted: “I think she’ll bolt… she bolted (her divorced from first husband) before. She was out the door.” “I hope in a way she’ll bolt, but maybe she’ll take Harry with her". She was right.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

The British establishment, whether political, the aristocracy, or in this instance the Monarchy will have to sooner or later fully comprehend the British public will not take kindly to being taken for fools.

The statement released from Her Majesty The Queen relating to Meghan and Harry is a fudge..

Both the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will retain there HRH titles but undertake not to use them for commercial gain.

A sham as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are already leveraging revenue from both the SussexRoyal branding, and there HRH titles. Whilst the taxer is still liable for the eye watering costs.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The update 81th January 2020 SussexRoyal.com confirms.......

https://sussexroyal.com/about/

In line with the statement by Her Majesty The Queen, information on the roles and work of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be updated on this website in due course. We appreciate your patience and invite you to explore the site to see the current works of Their Royal Highnesses.

There "Royal Highnesses"..... give up 'highness' titles is just an illusion.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Should read 18th January.

January is long enough without dragging on for 81 days.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Calculated plan - now she is famous to make money on her clothes line, and the blog which used to earn $60K will now be worth much more. There will even be more media coverage on her after leaving. So this reason doesn’t make sense. (Avoiding media)

There was strife between her father and half family before the wedding.

She knew what it was all about - Rules about no red or black painted nails etc.

It’s a slap of insult to the monarchy and their tradition.

She divorced her first husband quickly. She sent back the wedding ring by mail.

She left and did not face the Queen to discuss her exit.

If you were the Mother in law, how would you take it?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Calculated plan - now she is famous to make money on her clothes line, and the blog which used to earn $60K will now be worth much more. There will even be more media coverage on her after leaving. So this reason doesn’t make sense. (Avoiding media)

Or maybe, get this, she was just in love.

But hey, why not go to the cynical.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Tangerine2000Jan. 19 12:32 pm JSTGoodness me, Alfie.

I have no interest in UKIP or the BNP. Aren't both defunct anyway?

I said black people cannot be ethnically British in the same way that white people cannot be Japanese. Of course black people can have British nationality. You aren't satisfied with that though.

You are a little hysterical sometimes.

> wtfjapanJan. 19 12:51 pm JSTOf course black people can have British nationality. You aren't satisfied with that though.

A black person born and raised in Britain and who has known only British culture is just as British as any white person of similar upbringing. If you want to talk about ethnicity then if you go back a about 70000 years all humans migrated from Africa and where black. DNA evidence is proof of that

There's been Black Brits for a long long time. Many are descended from former colonies in Africa and the Caribbean. Singers Sade and Seal are Black Brits. Also, during the American Revolution black slaves were promised freedom if they joined the Royal British Army. After the war they were taken to Britain where they lived the rest of their lives as free men.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

It is not a mistake, That is his name.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@starpunk

There's been Black Brits for a long long time. Many are descended from former colonies in Africa and the Caribbean. Singers Sade and Seal are Black Brits. Also, during the American Revolution black slaves were promised freedom if they joined the Royal British Army. After the war they were taken to Britain where they lived the rest of their lives as free men.

You are entirely correct. I don't disagree with you. I think however, you haven't realised that I am talking about ethnicity.

Black British:

British nationality - Yes

British civic identity - Yes

British passport - Yes

Ethnically British - No

It is not possible to change one's ethnicity. For example, a Nepalese man cannot change his ethnicity into Japanese.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

The cost of their security will be in excess of $10million (£7.6million) annually. The royal family will review Harry's and Meghan's position after one year.

You mean the UK taxpayer has to pay for this? Where is the outrage?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Apart from Harry, Megan and the global media I am not sure whether anyone is excited about this.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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