Harry & Meghan stepping back from RF

Is it only me who thinks it was really spiteful for them to plan all this to completely overtake Kate's birthday today?

Yes *Sparkle, they could have saved the announcement for a few days and let Kate have a nice birthday - instead she’s probably dealing with the fallout in the family and a pretty unhappy husband.

I would be quite happy with the royal family being slimmed down and, from Charlotte downwards, they should find proper jobs, as adults. This couple cannot have their cake and eat it. If they are not prepared to take on the roles as full time royals then they should give up ALL the trappings that go with it - pay back any taxpayer funded jollies and that includes the cost of Frogmore, the wedding and this recent Canada trip.

They should also be responsible for their new housing situation and their future security. Harry, I believe, received the bulk of Diana's estate so he's not poor. Although I don't think you can take away the title of Prince, the Sussex title should be removed and she should revert to being a commoner. William must be devastated at his brother's behaviour. It was so rude and entitled to announce it in the way they did.

The best thing now would be for the media and the public to totally switch off from this couple. They have chosen to stand down so we don't need to hear about them any more. If people stop buying Hello magazine etc. if they are on the cover then the media will stop putting their photo there and they can fade out of the limelight and continue their woke behaviour just amongst their like minded mates.

They could open a B&B in Toronto?
Meghan could return to acting ( part time...those nappies
won’t change themselves!)
Seriously, will anyone really miss them?
William and Kate have filled the role of the young family with the heir and spares, are dutiful, and get on with things without trumpeting announcements of things they ‘won’t do’.

Juel - I agree.
We've got much more more serious problems to worry about here in the the UK than the royal family.

Fennel
It's a good time to break bad news!

I do hope the media doesn't go on and on
And on

I don't doubt the announcement was deliberately timed so that William would be involved in talks with Charles and the Queen on Kate's birthday.

Some of the comments about Meghan from her family (especially her half sister) in the run up to the wedding came across as jealous, bitchy and an attempt to derail her happiness.

I'm beginning to think there was a lot more truth in some of the criticism that we were prepared to accept at the time.

On the downside...... we're going to be bombarded with "news flashes" about this self indulgent, self obsessed pair for months/years to come.

On the upside..... It's deflected attention from bloody Brexit.

The Queen, Charles and William have instructed the four
royal households to find a workable solution over the future role of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex within the royal family

I think it's just total coincidence that this came out on Kate's birthday. How much devious thinking is going on round here?

Is it a mileatone birthday? If not, TBH ots always near someone's birthday between my family and DH's, we have no birthday free month

Less than two years after a wedding costing millions,being gifted an amazing house fully refurbished they go away on an extended break and on return immediately finding time for a visit to the Canadian embassy but can't sit down with their own family for discussions.Apparently the Queen wanted to meet them,but only after they had talked to PC first.But they impatiently,and rudely couldn't respect her request.have lost all respect for them.It started to be seriously eroded when they gave that self indulgent interview in South Africa.I doubt either the Queen or PC would have forced them to continue senior royal duties,they both recognise the monarchy needs streamlining.I would have preferred them to renounce titles and any and all privileges tbh.

It seems like it’s all falling down for the queen so even with all her wealth and priveledges I wouldn’t want to be in her shoes. Especially with every little move being reported. I do like the royal family and I am interested in all they do but do now feel it’s a outdated constitution as so do many people agree. Think it will take some time to reshuffle and do think Charles will make an good monarch.

Very well said washerwoman. I agree totally.

We didn't pay for the wedding Washerwoman although we did pay for the security.
Frogmore has not been gifted to them - it belongs to the Crow Estates I think. They may think they will be able to carry on using it but perhaps not? I'm sure there would be a flat available at one of them privately owned Royal residences for when they pop over here!

Crown Estates

They have an apartment in Buck House

But is that only available for someone carrying out official duties?

Sad for the Queen ... and Prince Charles ...
the press have been despicable towards Meghan ... even she was with child which is sick ...: what a mess .. I hope they can settle no matter what happens for the sake of Archie ... and the poor Queen and Prince Phillip ... they’ve had enough stress

So many similarities to the abdication in 1935. Another royal wanting to make up his own rules with an over ambitious American pulling his strings. Maybe H and M would have benefitted from reading the history books.
Wish them no ill at all but how disrespectful to the Queen

It was made available for them after they moved to Frogmore
from Kensington Palace then decided they needed a place in
London !

Now they've had their fairy tale wedding, and had their house expensively refurbished they've taken the money and run.
They've hit rock bottom in my estimation.
Really sad, he was a lovely lad but he's changed.

I hope this won't put too much of a burden on William and Catherine.

Charles is not that young - most people would be thinking about retirement at his age.

Harry and Meghan could have carried out many of the duties people expect from the RF.

Maddy1 did Sarah Ferguson deserve the criticism of her size and weight after the birth of her first daughter? The vindictive media just could not leave the poor woman alone and they even had a name for her which was absolutely disgusting. The lady had not long given birth. Yes, Sarah or Meghan perhaps are far from perfect, but neither of them have deserved the spitefulness of the British Press. Would you like your mother ,sister,daughter talked about like this? I for one don't blame them and Im not convinced the Queen didn't know. The newspapers in this country are nothing but scandal sheets at the best of times. I wish the couple and their wee boy well. Im now withdrawing from this horrible, nasty thread. Done with this.

I have just been to see my oncologist here in Portugal this evening. Normally at the end of the appointment he will have a joke with my DH about football and Mourinho. Tonight he said. "Well what to you think about your Prince Harry not wanting to be royal anymore?" He then said "I expect he still wants to receive the money though and not give that up". So it's being talked about everywhere. Now to catch up on earlier posts but where has this Lucy Winter come from? MM in disguise perhaps.