The Sussex Dilemma

So what’s with all the hubbub about Harry and Meghan, Prince Harry that is, or the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as they are formally titled or maybe formerly known.

Now I don’t propose to know much about how the British Royals function but I do know it’s mostly pomp and circumstance intertwined a small bit with the British Parliament which actually governs in the United Kingdom. The UK is run by a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. The head of state is the monarch (currently Queen Elizabeth II) while the head of government is the Prime Minister (currently David Cameron.)

The current day royals come from a long, long lineage of royals before them and I know tradition can be everything but evolution is inevitable. So what is wrong with Harry and Meghan withdrawing from “senior” royal duties. Heck Queen Elizabeth, now 93, took the throne at age 26 when her father King George VI died in his sleep at the young of 56. She has been on the throne nearly 70 years, that’s a loooong time, much longer than her father’s reign. And a lot has happened in those decades.

Her family has weathered a plethora of political and private scandals that have been splashed amongst the daily headlines around the globe. Of modern times, probably the most popular would be the demise of Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s marriage which was fraught with infidelity and sadness. Then there came the princess’s tragic and untimely death at age 36 leaving behind two young and heartbroken sons, William and Harry. And how the royal family handled that loss some would say seemed insincere.

Fast forward to now with the Queen battling the issue of her grandson Prince Harry and his new American, biracial bride Meghan wanting to retreat from the standard royal traditions and raise their newborn son (a future heir who is currently seventh in line of succession to the throne) on foreign soil while they seek to become financially independent (for the most part) from British taxpayers.

Doesn’t sound all that bad to me especially given the situation currently going on with the Queen’s son Andrew and the involvement he may or may not have had with the whole Jeffrey Epstein sex with underage girls ring. With accounts from individuals and pictures being unearthed it’s an embarrassment for sure at the least. So much so that attending his daughter’s recent engagement reception was not really an option for him in addition to having to step back from his royal duties which may have been suggested by him but likely requested by the Queen Mother.

I know I am American who thinks like an American, but what is really the problem with Harry and Meghan trying to forge a new path that could benefit the monarchy in a different way. Tradition is tradition and yes it means much but why can’t new paths be formed that consider the old ones. Logistically there are details to be worked out like where they would actually live, security for the future heirs, what work (charitable or otherwise) they might attempt while also appeasing the Queen.

Everyone seems to have an unsolicited opionion about this particular royal family quandary—though it’s really none of our business. I’ve read commentary where many blame Meghan for all this, afterall she was a divorcee American actress who had issues with her own family entering the royal family.

“She knew what she was getting into and should just accept it,” the comments read. Yes, I think Meghan had a clear idea of what was expected of her as a royal’s wife and I don’t think she could have imagined all the pressures that have come her way since the courtship, engagement, marriage, and birth of an heir.

That being said, she is not in this alone. Prince Harry is, and always has been, his own person—doing things his way which weren’t always the norm of the palace. He did the public partying thing (remember that Las Vegas pool party), rampant dating thing, somethings it seemed that the royals may have frowned upon. I really think he sees himself as a regular guy with extraordinary circumstances that can help others.

He’s aware of being the younger brother of the guy likely to be the next true heir to the throne and both assume their roles knowingly. William knows he has to uphold the palace rules and be the traditional standard while Harry knows a little more leeway is given to him by being sixth in line behind his father, brother, two nephews, and niece thus far. And afterall Harry sought out Meghan and eventually chose her and she accepted so they are in this together—by choice. Therefore, he is not being her puppet but forging ahead together as a new couple embracing a new life.

There I said it. Though it is not really any of my business to comment on I did. So that’s my public political bit for the year as I will certainly navigate away from American politics until the election.