Prince Harry

[Onelife]

I think it's sad but understandable that Harry and Megan have decided to pack their bags for a place where they believe they will escape the clutches of our media.

It of course raises many questions not least the one about who should pay for their security?

My personal feeling is that we should pay all costs involved in keeping him and his family safe wherever they decided to live.....My rationale is that he didn't ask to be born into the Royal Family therefore his protection falls on the institution that is funded out of the public purse.

Your view?

[Mervyn and Trish]

It's so hypocritical the way the media have reacted. The way they're attacking Harry and Meghan's decision and declaring this is nothing to do with us proves exactly the opposite.

Take the race angle for example. I hadn't even noticed she was mixed race until the media started commenting on it. I don't care what colour or nationality she is if they love each other. But for the media it's been a big thing. To feel the need to mention it seems to me racist by definition.

[Midlandslass]

Take the race angle for example. I hadn't even noticed she was mixed race until the media started commenting on it. I don't care what colour or nationality she is if they love each other. But for the media it's been a big thing. To feel the need to mention it seems to me racist by definition.

Why does she feel the need to bring up her ethnicity at every opportunity? She frequently describes hersef as "a woman of colour".
She has more white ancestry than black, she is using race to make herself out to be a victim.
Personally I am happy for them to go as long as my taxes don't pay for them.

[Manoverboard]

One is born to be a Royal and the protocol is that one is destined to remain so until one dies.

Personally I think Harry is a spoilt brat and a person who is weak and easily influenced. Having said that he is never going to reign over us and because he is not interested in anything other than himself I readily accept his departure. Only a self obsessed person would have taken that decision during the Queen's lifetime, he should have spared her that sadness.

I would remove their Titles to prevent them making money from them, he should also fund his own security unless he is in the presence of the dedicated members of the Royal family.

[Onelife]

One is born to be a Royal and the protocol is that one is destined to remain so until one dies.

Personally I think Harry is a spoilt brat and a person who is weak and easily influenced. Having said that he is never going to reign over us and because he is not interested in anything other than himself I readily accept his departure. Only a self obsessed person would have taken that decision during the Queen's lifetime, he should have spared her that sadness.

I would remove their Titles to prevent them making money from them, he should also fund his own security unless he is in the presence of the ...................

Whilst she wasn't born into the Royal Family Harry's mother Princess Diana bares the consequences of being part of the Royal family.....let history not repeat itself as he above all knows what the press can do to a loved one.

Invictus

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[oldbluefox]

All these comments about being racist. Her father is white. I never gave it another thought. Despite their wedding having a goodly number of black participants (Gospel choir, black preacher, black cellist) it didn't matter. When Meghan goes to Africa proclaiming 'I am just like you' it is she who is playing the racist card. How bloody patronising is that comment to a young black child coming from a woman who is technically half white. They have no hope in hell of being like her!!! And then she wonders why so many of us have turned against her!!!
What is happening has nothing to do with racism. Why do people always play the racism card when they can't have their own way? This is the couple who told us all to cut back on our carbon footprint but go on more plane journeys than the rest of us in a lifetime, who kept secret the birth of Archie, denied the Press photos of him but proudly paraded him in Africa. Meghan happily flies back and forth to America for 'baby showers', a few days here and a few days there so I presume that does not contribute to global warming. For their first Christmas together they choose to break with tradition and spend it away from Sandringham. If they want privacy they should be free to go, relinquish all the trappings of royalty which afford them a comfortable lifestyle and do their own thing, whether that is in Canada, Africa or wherever but stop playing with the Press and looking for publicity when it suits them. Not impressed with the way they have behaved at all.

[oldbluefox]

Whilst she wasn't born into the Royal Family Harry's mother Princess Diana bares the consequences of being part of the Royal family.....let history not repeat itself as he above all knows what the press can do to a loved one.

I don't entirely agree with all this twaddle about Diana being hounded by the Press. She courted the Press when she wanted to and then complained when she didn't want them. She was manipulative as far as the media were concerned. You can't have it both ways.

[Stephen]

One is born to be a Royal and the protocol is that one is destined to remain so until one dies.

Personally I think Harry is a spoilt brat and a person who is weak and easily influenced. Having said that he is never going to reign over us and because he is not interested in anything other than himself I readily accept his departure. Only a self obsessed person would have taken that decision during the Queen's lifetime, he should have spared her that sadness.

I would remove their Titles to prevent them making money from them, he should also fund his own security unless he is in the presence of the dedicated members of the Royal family.

Sounds a fair assumption.

[Manoverboard]

Whilst she wasn't born into the Royal Family Harry's mother Princess Diana bares the consequences of being part of the Royal family.....let history not repeat itself as he above all knows what the press can do to a loved one.

Invictus ( aka Onelife ? )

The consequences of being part of the Royal Family are certainly not without difficulty but the best way forward is surely to take a step back and show understanding of the role performed by the blood line Royal … a la Camilla towards Charles.

If you opt for the trappings but are vain and seek attention and adoration every minute of the day a la Diana, then the fault line will appear sooner or later and the underlying cause is NOT the media. Harry takes after his Mother me thinks, maybe Meghan reminds him of her on a minute by minute basis … all three deffo have much in common.

[oldbluefox]

There's a lot of untruths being spouted about Harry, one being that he was FORCED to walk behind his mother's coffin. If I remember correctly he wasn't forced at all but was given the choice whether he and William wanted to do it. As they said they would Prince Philip, at the age of 76 said he would walk as well to support them.

[Onelife]

Whilst she wasn't born into the Royal Family Harry's mother Princess Diana bares the consequences of being part of the Royal family.....let history not repeat itself as he above all knows what the press can do to a loved one.

I don't entirely agree with all this twaddle about Diana being hounded by the Press. She courted the Press when she wanted to and then complained when she didn't want them. She was manipulative as far as the media were concerned. You can't have it both ways.

The fact remains she was used by the institution and abused by her husband so any manipulative tendencies she may have had were a result of the way she was treated..

[oldbluefox]

Not sure what is meant by 'used by the institution'. I don't always (or ever) believe what is printed in the Press or in these 'open your heart out' interviews and books without knowing what the other half of the story is. As with children telling tales you only get their version of the truth. Neither Charles nor Diana came out of their split with any glory but I don't think we will ever know the full story.
Back to Meghan and her desire to have more privacy, I see her photos were splashed across the papers today where she was visiting a refuge for women. This seems at odds to me for somebody wanting to get away from 'official' duties and the media spotlight.

[Onelife]

Whilst she wasn't born into the Royal Family Harry's mother Princess Diana bares the consequences of being part of the Royal family.....let history not repeat itself as he above all knows what the press can do to a loved one.

Invictus ( aka Onelife ? )

The consequences of being part of the Royal Family are certainly not without difficulty but the best way forward is surely to take a step back and show understanding of the role performed by the blood line Royal … a la Camilla towards Charles.

If you opt for the trappings but are vain and seek attention and adoration every minute of the day a la Diana, then the fault line will appear sooner or later and the underlying cause is NOT the media. Harry takes after his Mother me thinks, maybe Meghan reminds him of her on a minute by minute basis … all three deffo have much in common.

Camilla and Charles.... shining examples of the adulterous royal blood line.

Royals don't opt in for the trappings it's bestowed on them.

[oldbluefox]

If you are marrying into the Royal Family you should be aware that you are marrying into an institution which will bring you untold privilege and wealth. However you should also realise that because of the nature of this institution there are also limitations on what you can and cannot do, what you can say to whom and how you should behave in public.
The situation with Camilla and Charles is an interesting one. We have heard the story from one side but will we ever know what was going on behind closed doors. Not agreeing that what Charles did was right but I have known people whose lives have been made so miserable by their spouses that they have had their heads turned. I don't know so I tend not to agree one way or the other.

[Frank Manning]

How refreshing that OBF and I are now singing off the same music. I too dont fall for the poor down trodden Diana line spun by the psychophantic reporting etc. Yes she was very beautiful, and yes she was out of her depth with the Windsors, at who's door I lay the blame. Prince Charles should have been allowed to marry Camilla Shand full stop, no ifs or buts. Then that whole sorry saga would have ended differently. Having said that we would have not have had Diana's Gene's in the two princes and I do admire Prince William. Prince Harry has lost his way, but who can say the why and wherefore of that? Our media and the whole populist airhead trend of celebrity has become a circus. Daily rags are running multiple articles on the royals and Love Island and I'm a ( Z list) celebrity, while real news is secondary. Meghan wants to use her resurrected celebrity as bestowed by her HRH title, and she wants to do it away from the constrictions of protocol. "What Meghan wants Meghan gets". It's time someone told Meghan NO, and I'm afraid to say that IMHO that person should be Prince Harry. So come on lad, time to explain to her that HRH carries responsibilities.

[oldbluefox]

I've had to sit down Frank!!!!
There was an interesting interview with Meghan's half sister and she was hardly complimentary about Meghan. It seems there are huge rifts between Meghan and the paternal side of the family, and now there are rifts within the Royal family. Methinks maybe Harry and Meghan need time to look at themselves and their relationship with a once adoring British public, many of whom have now lost faith.

[Stephen]

Dump the bitch

[Onelife]

Dump the bitch

Thankfully you left out the word "black" otherwise your comment would fit alongside that of the one made by Danny Baker....His tweet depicted a black and white woman with a chimpanzee.....The caption read....."Royal Baby leaves hospital"

The BBc dumped the racist prat.

[CaroleF]

I mainly agree with Foxy. The only thing I would add is beware of listening to Meghan's half-sister who has spouted nasty jibes about Meghan since the engagement. I think I'm right in saying that they haven't met in many years. I am a firm supporter of the Monarchy but I do find it difficult to understand how Harry could do what he did to The Queen. In some ways though it's probably better done now while her steady, sensible hand of duty is on the tiller if you'll forgive the metaphor.

[Frank Manning]

I've had to sit down Frank!!!!

You sit down, and take it easy old chap. At our age shock can be very debilitating.

Some commentators can show too much cynicism. Today's photos of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge taken during their visit to Bradford yesterday stirred a few keyboard class warriors into nasty remarks about them. I dont think Catherine could keep smiling and chatting so naturally for so long if she wasn't genuine. If my taxes go to keep such a lovely pair in their constitutional position instead of some phoney politician, then I am all for it.

[CaroleF]

Hear hear Frank!

[Onelife]

The more l read about Megan the more l respect her. She was championing good causes way before she met Harry and certainly wasn't in need of promoting her personal profile by marring into the Royal Family. She was already well established both as an actress and a well respected ambassador for women's equility issues, along with her humanitarian work. You only have to listen to some of her interviews to realise how passionately she feels about the injustices of the world and to that end uses every opportunity to expose them.

A truly inspirational lady

[Gill W]

I have very mixed feeling about this.

I think they showed a lack of respect for the Queen, by not speaking to her first.

I can understand why they feel as they do - I’ve seen several examples of tabloid reporting where Meghan is treated differently to Kate, for example. But Harry is a senior royal. His father and brother will one day be King. He will always be close to the crown. I have a feeling Meghan is the driving force behind this, and Harry is just going along with it.

The thing that bugs me, is that they say they want to step back and distance themselves ..... but they have called their new website SussexRoyal, which emphasises their royal status and the Dukedom!

[Mervyn and Trish]

On balance I think what they need is a sabbatical of a few years while Archie grows a bit, but be ready to step back into the ring in future years.

[GillD46]

I have very mixed feeling about this.

I think they showed a lack of respect for the Queen, by not speaking to her first.

I can understand why they feel as they do - I’ve seen several examples of tabloid reporting where Meghan is treated differently to Kate, for example. But Harry is a senior royal. His father and brother will one day be King. He will always be close to the crown. I have a feeling Meghan is the driving force behind this, and Harry is just going along with it.

The thing that bugs me, is that they say they want to step back and distance themselves ..... but they have called their new website SussexRoyal, which emphasises their royal status and the Dukedom!

I agree. I think making the big announcement without discussing it with the Queen first was dreadfully disrespectful.

I do understand their feelings, but they seem to want everything their own way and don’t seem very prepared to compromise. It’s obviously been quite some time in their thoughts, which makes me question why they allowed quite so much taxpayer’s money to be spent on Frogmore Cottage.

But what will be, will be and it’ll be interesting to see how it all pans out.