Royal Move

28 comments on “Royal Move ”

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1. Sanctuary 1

   10 January 2020 at 8:08 am

   Mod note – you might want to transfer my open mike comment here of possible?
   • weka 1.1

     10 January 2020 at 10:46 am

     Not possible. Just cut and paste it across.
     • Sanctuary 1.1.1

       10 January 2020 at 10:59 am

       Roger!

       My thoughts on Harry and Megan…

       Brexit Great Britain is an increasingly diminished place, full of deluded empire fantasists who condescendingly still profess a shocked surprise when they discover Asia's dynamism and its cities, as if the idea that somewhere else might be more culturally and economically more dynamic than them is shocking to even consider. The British like to think they still count because the UK has nuclear weapons, the media is obsessed by that – every candidate for high office is anxiously questioned on if they'll "push the button" – largely because the idea Britain can still annihilate billions reassures them they are still a "world power" and it makes them feel important, that their parades of men in admirals and generals uniforms are somehow different from the those of some African potentate.

       Their civil discourse is poisoned by the spite and racism and misogyny of Murdoch's out of control Fascist press, a disgusting alchemy that revels in tearing down what it built up in a cycle of bullying and abuse. Harry and Megan have noticed how absurd the UK is, and how small and pathetic the place has become. So they are going leave and build a life somewhere else. And by showing how easy it is to ignore that sad, exhausted and declining country they've punctured the egos of the self-important blowhards of the UK media and revealed the whole grandiloquent edifice of the royal family and the British establishment to be nothing more than an increasingly grotesque charade, a nonsensical, tinsel clad, mausoleum honouring a distant, past, and very foreign land.

       Good on them for going. And let's take their explicit exposure of how ridiculous the UK has become as the signal we need to ditch the whole house of Windsor and our links to that increasingly shitty place and go our own way as a republic. We don't need to be tied to the imperial cadaver any more than Harry and Megan do.
2. I feel love 2

   10 January 2020 at 9:08 am

   I love the "planning to be financially independent", I'd be surprised by that, certainly if they still want to live like millionaires, they might be quite surprised that earning money is a little harder than they realise.
   • Craig H 2.1

     10 January 2020 at 9:30 pm

     There was an article suggesting that they could earn over US$100K per appearance for speaking appearances – apparently Obama commands up to $500K.
3. Stunned Mullet 3

   10 January 2020 at 9:16 am

   "In an alternative universe with a thoughtful and coherent monarch as leader, the Queen or Prince Regent would have been a strong and coherent voice throughout the entire Brexit debacle. They have offered pretty much nothing, and the country remains in chaos despite the recent election. It was precisely their job to lead at that point."

   Er no it was precisely their job to be completely silent on Brexit. Do you not no the sovereign's position and duties as they pertain to the UK ?
4. Dennis Frank 4

   10 January 2020 at 9:33 am

   Charles has spent most of his life pissing off UK media barons behind the scenes. I respect him for conducting such an arduous campaign and would rather his advice entered the public domain more often. The little I've gleaned over the years has always seemed appropriate.

   My reaction to the news the other day was entirely favourable. Escape the toxic culture, get a healthy life, and I wish the couple luck with that. Harry is admirably forthright in expressing his views, seems to say the right thing when necessary, and I hope he creates an independent political position for himself eventually.
5. mikesh 5

   10 January 2020 at 9:37 am

   It always made sense for a country to be run by a government that was politically neutral; and, traditionally, the crown was supposed to be just that. However, the problem would seem to be that the crown no longer governs. I can't help thinking that the crown should take a greater role in government in certain situations – brexit might be a case in point given the mess that parliament seems to have made of it – but one would have to ask what role would parliament have in that case. One would need to find some sort of balance.
6. Peter 6

   10 January 2020 at 9:39 am

   Funny that the decision of the couple to 'get a life' gives the opportunity for people all over the place to show they need to get one too. The hysteria and carry on in places like New Zealand about it is as pathetic as it is instructive.
   • Stunned Mullet 6.1

     10 January 2020 at 9:47 am

     Heh …good point.
   • tc 6.2

     10 January 2020 at 9:54 am

     Sure is. The media's welcomed the content for what's effectively a story about a celebrity couple deciding how they'll live their lives….woo hoo.

     Celebrity tattle filling up the masses
7. xanthe 7

   10 January 2020 at 9:59 am

   Perhaps if they are no longer publicly supported as "royals" they will be able to go after the (long string of very angry invective here) media jackals that have abused their position for so long. I really hope so and hope they can get a settlement that will both provide the financial independence they seek and rein in the predatory behavior they have been subjected to.
8. Phil 8

   10 January 2020 at 10:16 am

   I applaud the move by Meghan and Harry, and do genuinely feel for them as a young couple. Watching the media hound and harass your mother literally to death, and seeing exactly the same thing happening again (with an added does of straight up racism) to your wife must be utterly soul destroying.

   That said, I remain firmly of the view that Oliver Cromwell should have done just a slightly better job…
9. Siobhan 9

   10 January 2020 at 10:44 am

   Harry is still 6th in line to the throne…so, theoreticly, in the event of some well orchestrated terrorist action, we could end up with him on our coin…certainly well have Charles and William..so maybe its time for us to forge our own way in the world and become a little independent.

   That being said I do look forward to watching Harry and Family forge their own destiny, one not reliant on trading on 'The Firm' or require further public purse security and house renovations etc…hopefully all the Richard Bransons and unnamed, unknown billionaire's of the world will be lining up to help this young couple get on their feet.

   ps..bet they wish they'd requested toasters and bedding on their wedding gift list now..
10. Wayne 10

    10 January 2020 at 10:45 am

    It is not remotely the role of the Royal Family to offer their views on Brexit. That is a matter for the people and parliament. The whole point of a constitutional monarchy is to stay out of politics.

    If New Zealand became a republic, the most easiest approach (and possibly the best) would be simply having the Governor General in her/his current mode to become the President. The other change would be the parliament choosing that person by a 66% or 75% majority.
    • mikesh 10.1

      11 January 2020 at 7:52 am

      The "people" have already expressed there wishes via a referendum. Given that, I think the crown should bypass parliament and negotiate brexit itself.
11. Anker 11

    10 January 2020 at 11:34 am

    I applaud and commend the Sussexes. Why should they stoically put up with the media intrusion(that contributed to Harry’s mothers death). And the constraints of the role of being a royal. What it also fantastic is that they seem to want to carve out a truely progressive role (rather than hand shaking, thought and prayers and charitable events.

    i am wondering if they aren’t going to set up a new progressive media empire…..that would be incredible and a real f you to the media barons that control the narrative. There are some hints that this could happen.

    re money, Megan already has some millions and one commentator said they could earn very big money on the international speakers circuit. In terms of that they could earn huge amounts……….

    I think they are very brave and I hope for great things from them and wish them the very best.
12. AB 12

    10 January 2020 at 1:07 pm

    Great innit? Reading and hearing all about it will provide poor/middle class Brits with some light relief from whatever degradations that 5 more years of Tory rule will impose on them.
13. Cinny 13

    10 January 2020 at 1:14 pm

    Harry's mum would be super proud. All the best to them, it's fantastic news.
    • Anne 13.1

      11 January 2020 at 10:26 am

      Yes.

      It amuses me how the British tabloids are screaming their heads off (in another era they would be demanding "off with their heads") when they have to take a major share of the blame. Some of the vitriol Meghan has suffered at their hands has been horrendous.

      Meghan has shown Harry another way of living their lives and he likes it. Good on them and the best of luck to them.
14. mary_a 14

    10 January 2020 at 1:55 pm

    Seems Harry and Meghan are taking the first steps in slimming down the British monarchy, as Prince Charles has said he will do when he becomes King.

    Harry has realised he's unlikely to become monarch at position 6 now, so no point in staying on in the firm going stale. He and his wife have done the sensible thing, moving forward, forging out their own lives, breaking away from dependence on the House of Windsor, knowing the awful alternative is to stagnate as a member of the British royal family.

    Well done. I wish them well for the future.

    From what I know, many other royal families in the world have members making their own way in life, Sweden being one. Time for the British royals to do the same.
    • Craig H 14.1

      10 January 2020 at 9:35 pm

      Practically, he's 4th + any further offspring of William since it's certain that William will succeed Charles who will succeed the Queen unless the monarchy is abolished.
15. A 15

    10 January 2020 at 3:32 pm

    Ballsy move. I like it.
16. Sanctuary 16

    11 January 2020 at 8:40 am

    H
    • Dennis Frank 16.1

      11 January 2020 at 9:36 am

      H+M – otherwise leftists will assume you're being sexist in just focusing on the guy. Parity is the thing nowadays… 😎
17. Macro 17

    11 January 2020 at 4:53 pm

    Harold couple to step back from being 60 millionth in line to the throne

    A Harold woman and her imaginary partner have become the latest in a lengthening line of royal dropouts.

    “We shall be working towards financial independence, apart from a small amount of Pension Credit and Housing Benefit,” said a statement on behalf of Doris Kettle (72) and her late husband.

    “One’s time shall be split between the park and the care home,” Doris told the Evening Harold, adding “this will not impact upon one’s personal carbon footprint, before you ask.”

    The move threw Royal Researchers a massive googly as they tried to keep the National Sequence of Succession website up to date.

    “The last thing we need is a spate of copycat abdications,” said one royal commentator, while others are questioning whether ‘stepping down’ is an actual constitutional option available to common people.

    Nevertheless, comrade Corbyn, who twice narrowly missed out on becoming Prime Minister, is now one step closer to becoming King.
18. joe90 18

    12 January 2020 at 9:47 am

    Littler wonder they want out.

    https://twitter.com/baeten_lore/status/1215982687888072704

    https://twitter.com/Tenorsaw/status/1215984579691057156

    https://twitter.com/Tenorsaw/status/1215984970809913344
19. Anne 19

    12 January 2020 at 11:29 am

    Thanks Joe 90.

    The short answer:

    The young woman was desperately homesick. And then to have to put up with such venal press coverage on top of it… my heart goes out to her. She was dammed if she did and dammed if she didn't.

    It's taken enormous courage for H &M to stand up to the power of the State, and I hope they go from strength to strength from now on.

    Edit: and I bet they knew that if they had gone to the family and courtiers in advance, they would have been cajoled and bullied out of their decision.

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