It has been considered an unprecedented move the one taken in the last hours by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. What is it about? The couple announced, on January 8, the desire to take on a new role within the institution of the crown, taking “a step back as senior members of the royal family” and with the intention of planning their life between the United Kingdom and North America.
At the time of the announcement, there was a lot of confusion and dismay about the move, without really understanding fully what it consists of. Based on what has been declared by the royals on the official sussexroyal.com website and the statements made to the English magazine people.com, it would seem that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have decided to become economically independent from the crown while continuing to fully support her Majesty The Queen and the Commonwealth. What consequences will this decision have? Should we no longer consider Harry a prince? Why the decision to give up the royal income?
To answer all these questions, it is good to review what are the burdens and honours of those who join the English royal house and, in particular, what is the condition that led Harry and Meghan to make this decision. Let’s start by saying that for some time there have been rumours of a certain discontent existing between the American actress Markle and the royal house; in particular, the rumours have always spoken of tensions between the beautiful Meghan and Queen Elizabeth who commented the move saying that the issue is complicated and still in its infancy, but that there is however understanding by the crown about the will of the royals. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have in fact declared that they have reflected for a long time on the matter, arriving at the final decision, driven by the will to live with their own earnings and consequently do with it what they prefer. What perhaps many do not know, in fact, is that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, as royals of Sussex and according to the structure and agreements made so far, were forbidden to perceive any external income, living only with the aid given by the crown. This subsidy is intended to cover costs decided by the Queen and Prince William, who is responsible for allocating the money deriving from the so-called Sovereign Grant. Put simply, Harry and Meghan have so far had no decision-making power over managing their money, which has prompted them to want to become economically independent.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex say they are determined to work to earn a living, thus having the freedom to manage their assets and allocate them, for example, to their charity, which has now become the focus of their career.
Is it such an unconventional and wrong decision to want to manage your assets yourself? On the right or wrong we leave the choice to you, even if we think in 2020 it is absolutely understandable, and in some ways appreciable, to be part of the monarchy while living an absolutely normal life. Is this an absolute novelty? Maybe in the UK yes, but in almost all European monarchies there are members of the royal family who support the Monarchy while doing full-time jobs completely unrelated to it.
Should we consider the Duke and Duchess of Sussex extraneous to the monarchy from now on? No, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be considered “working members” of the Royal Family, sending devotees to the queen within the kingdom and throughout the Commonwealth, continuing to work also in the name and respect of the Monarchy, but in an absolutely independent way.
COULD IT BE THE BEGINNING OF THE MODERN ERA EVEN IN THE ENGLISH ROYAL HOUSE? We’ll see!