King Charles's Letter Had One Line That Gave Away Palace's Strategy on the Sussexes — and It's Not Subtle
The Palace has seemingly taken a U-turn on it's initial stance on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after their return to the UK.
The UK receives global brickbats for the spices, or the lack thereof, in its cuisine. But while British food could be bland, their royal drama definitely isn’t. Royal fans are still reeling from King Charles' strongly and cleverly worded guidance letter about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal status, or lack thereof. But it’s the minute details that have revealed there is more to the situation.
The guidance letter, drafted on the monarch's advice, clarified in no uncertain terms that Harry and Markle were no longer working royals and were living in the UK in a private capacity. The letter also discussed instances in which public funds might be required. Royal expert Jennie Bond noted via The i Paper, “Interestingly, it says any questions about that should now be directed to Buckingham Palace.” This tiny detail is particularly fascinating because, in recent years, any query about the Sussexes has been “batted away” to their own communications team. However, the Palace has now adopted a different tune.
“It seems obvious that Buckingham Palace is now showing its might and supremacy,” Bond claimed. The royal expert further opined that Charles might have intended to clear the noise around the Sussexes’ return to the UK and draw back “media and public focus” to the royals’ busy autumn schedule. Whatever the reason, this is not the first time either warring party has taken a U-turn on their claims.
After losing his legal challenge to reinstate automatic police protection, the Duke of Sussex claimed last year that he won’t be able to bring his wife or children to his home country due to risks involved. However, the family of four traveled to the UK in July this year and have now crossed the pond for an extended stay, while the security issue remains unresolved. The monarch’s letter hinted that the protection matter still relies on RAVEC.
On the other hand, the Sussexes have seemingly managed to achieve exactly what they had asked for all those years back — a half-in, half-out approach. Although they are private citizens now, Harry’s royal affiliation cannot be denied. He is the King’s son. And Bond mentioned that the couple would be “in demand from numerous charities and campaigns and yet remain free to earn a commercial income if they so choose”.
Harry and Markle are expected to take part in charitable and commercial engagements in the UK. However, they might have to co-ordinate with the Palace and their estranged relatives, Prince William and Kate Middleton, to avoid diary clashes.
