The ‘new’ life for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will officially start on Tuesday; then they relinquish their royal titles. What exactly will change for the couple? NU.nl asks royalty expert Jeroen Snel.
“They can now completely determine everything themselves,” says Snel, known from the EO program Blue blood. “So they can be fully involved with their own charities and for example the Invictus Games (the sporting event that Harry organizes, ed.).”
In the coming period, the couple wants to contribute to finding solutions to problems resulting from the coronavirus, they said on Monday Instagram.
Last week it was announced that Harry and Markle had their first year without royal duties kick off in Bevery Hills in Los Angeles. They exchange their previous home in Canada for Hollywood.
“Where most of the paparazzi are per square kilometer,” says Snel. “I suspect Meghan is wearing this. Her mom and friends live here, she grew up here. But the question is whether Harry is happy here.”
It is certain that the couple in Hollywood will suffer more from the media than in Canada. Rapidly calls the move “strange”. “Because one reason for them to step away from the royal house is the great media attention they received. In Canada it was indeed a lot less, but Harry and Meghan will be photographed continuously in Hollywood. Meghan enjoys this and seeks it up, but this is at odds with what Harry wants. “
‘Bloodletting for the royal family’
One of the things that has now changed for the couple is that they have to hire and afford their own security – which they need even more at their new home.
That was paid for them as part of the royal family. This will not cause any problems, the royalty expert suspects. “The official payment has stopped, but Harry still gets part of the money from his father, who has a decent fortune, through his private money flow.” In addition, the couple is richly rewarded for speeches at meetings and other jobs, such as the participation work that Markle did for the Disney documentary Elephant.
In addition, the couple will no longer travel the world with son Archie to complete royal duties, Snel explains. “A visit to the Commonwealth, which Harry brought because Elizabeth is doing less because of her age, is now disappearing. That is a pity, because Harry and Meghan were always received with great pleasure. A loss for the royal family,” says the royal family expert.
We will only see them during the heyday of the royal family, such as Elizabeth’s birthday party. “But then as a guest, and not in function. Harry will no longer be seen in uniform, as was previously the case.”
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Prince Harry will no longer be seen in uniform. (Photo: BrunoPress)
“All attention to William and Catherine”
Because the couple is no longer working for the British royal house, the ‘laggards’ now have more to do. The number of working visits is divided between Charles and Camilla and William and Catherine, but we will also see Edward (56, brother of Charles) and his wife Sophie (55) more often.
“They are a bit grayer, but a reasonable model family with cute children, where nobody will bother themselves,” says Snel. “But they never get as popular as Harry and Meghan. All attention will now go to William and Catherine.”
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Prince Edward and his wife Sophie will make more working visits. (Photo: Bruno Press)
Door is kept ajar
From Wednesday, a so-called review period which will last a year. During that period, both Harry and Markle and the Royal House will see how everything goes and the couple still have the option to return to their previous role as Duke and Duchess of Sussex (incidentally, they keep this title, but they no longer like it use).
“More to keep the door ajar,” explains Snel. “That if they decide to come back, it wouldn’t be as shocking as it would be if this period weren’t there. It’s more of a strategic statement, indicating that Harry is still part of it.”
Soon, expect no message from Buckingham Palace this week to cite the new role of Harry and Markle. “No, they just have to keep going, as well as they can in this day and age. If they post about this, you will mark it even more as a farewell. Harry and Meghan have started a different life. But perhaps that this will change again. Much depends on how their marriage survives. “
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