topic Re: Harry Speaks Out in Community Chat

Harry Speaks Out

KingstonsMom — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 15:24:37 GMT

Prince Harry has spoken of his 'great sadness' at leaving the Royal Family and said he and Meghan had 'no other option' than to quit senior royal duties - but vowed the couple are 'not just walking away'.

The Duke of Sussex was at a formal private dinner at the Ivy in Chelsea for Sentebale, the charity supporting young people affect by HIV and Aids that he founded in 2006, when he made the comments.

In an emotional speech, the 35-year-old said the royal couple had hoped to continue serving the Queen, the Commonwealth and his military associations, without any public funding.

Insisting that the UK would always be his home, he maintained that his wife, Meghan, 'upholds the same values as I do' and was 'excited' and 'hopeful' about playing a full royal role after their wedding.

But he said now 'there really was no other option' but to step back – a decision which, he said, was 'not one I made lightly'.

The duke paid a stirring tribute to his grandmother, calling her his 'commander-in-chief' and that he was 'incredibly grateful' to Her Majesty and the rest of his family for supporting him and Meghan.

He said: 'Once Meghan and I were married, we were excited. We were hopeful and we were here to serve. For those reasons it brings me great sadness that it has come to this.

'The decision that I have made for my wife and I to step back is not one I made lightly.

It was so many months of talks after so many years of challenges and I know I haven't always gotten it right but as far as this goes there really was no other option.

Re: Harry Speaks Out

grandma r — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 15:34:32 GMT

I think the press constantly hounding and lying about the couple led to this. Harry's most vivid memory of the press is what they did to his Mum.

I hope they get the peace they're seeking. Hopefully, one day Harry will be back in the palace.

Re: Harry Speaks Out

faeriemoon — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 15:42:33 GMT

@grandma r wrote:
I think the press constantly hounding and lying about the couple led to this. Harry's most vivid memory of the press is what they did to his Mum.
I hope they get the peace they're seeking. Hopefully, one day Harry will be back in the palace.

Agree. And just to add to your last sentence, it is possible. If they choose to become working royals again they are welcome, and they will once again use their HRH titles. (According to CNN.)

Re: Harry Speaks Out

dex — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 15:43:59 GMT

I think it is sad that Harry felt he had no other option than to leave the royal family.I can’t imagine how this could be the only solution to his happiness.It seems when I read his reasoning that the problems are not too big that they couldn't be resolved.

Re: Harry Speaks Out

PINKdogWOOD — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 13:14:19 GMT

It is unfortunate that apparently they're tired of dealing with the press, it's unfortunate that the press cannot back off. However, how do you ditch your family like this especially when your Grandmother is the royalist of the royal in one's family. It's no wonder the Queen Mother is not at all pleased with their decision. What exactly do these two think is going to happen with all of this in Vancouver? Press people are everywhere. Harry & Meghan have not and are still not making this whole situation any easier on themselves, if anything they've called even more attention to themselves rather than staying and residing in GB with the rest of the clan.

Re: Harry Speaks Out

Sooner — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 15:47:46 GMT

I say watch what people do and don't listen to what they say.

I am officially no longer interested in what these two do or say. To treat your family like this, get what you want then try to spin it in your favor? Nope. Don't care what else they have to say.

Re: Harry Speaks Out

CrazyDaisy — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 15:48:53 GMT

@dex wrote:
I think it is sad that Harry felt he had no other option than to leave the royal family.I can’t imagine how this could be the only solution to his happiness.It seems when I read his reasoning that the problems are not too big that they couldn't be resolved.

There are always other options when people are willing to compromise and see each others point of view. Sometimes people get caught up in what they want now, the bigger picture is not seen.

Re: Harry Speaks Out

SilleeMee — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 15:50:05 GMT

I realize that you can't help who you fall in love with...but I think he should have known about the consequences of his marriage to MM long before it happened. They made their bed.

Re: Harry Speaks Out

goldensrbest — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 15:59:50 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
I realize that you can't help who you fall in love with...but I think he should have known about the consequences of his marriage to MM long before it happened. They made their bed.

What consequences? And why?

Re: Harry Speaks Out

BlueFinch — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 16:06:11 GMT

People want to say it's all about the press, but I don't think so. In fact, they've involved the press even more, and will continue to do so, indefinitely.

It appears that where Royal duties are concerned, you're either ALL in, or ALL out. You'd think there could be a little bit of wiggle room. I also suspect that Harry, being the grandson of the Queen thought the same. This is what created the huge divide and discord between the brothers.

No 'options' certainly emphasizes the constraints these folks operate under. It's clear certain personalities could not endure such controls. But, none of this should have come as a surprise to this couple. They need to stop blaming everyone else -- the press, the trolls, and the naysayers, because it's only just begun, largely because of their own behaviors.

Re: Harry Speaks Out

Snoopp — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 16:06:11 GMT

His explanation is vague. I’m not totally clear on why there was no other choice. What does that mean exactly? He will still be in the public eye. Perhaps he thinks the press is different in North America; maybe it is. He’s not giving specific reasons.

Harry is still “pitching “ voiceover skills for both of them and it seems amateurish. I think Harry will need to find a purpose and find a way to fit in.

Re: Harry Speaks Out

Snoopp — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 16:07:49 GMT

@BlueFinch @Well said.

Re: Harry Speaks Out

Sooner — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 16:09:32 GMT

@goldensrbest wrote:
@SilleeMee wrote:
I realize that you can't help who you fall in love with...but I think he should have known about the consequences of his marriage to MM long before it happened. They made their bed.
What consequences? And why?

@goldensrbest That she didn't want to be criticized. Couldn't take the heat. I mean the examples are there for us all to see.

Read what was said about Charles, Camilla, Diana, David and Wallis, Philip and on and on. Oh and Anne? ALL of them have been the center of firestorms for one reason or another. It is what it is.

Look at the things Charles survived by not running and hiding, not lashing out, carrying on as it were and going about fulfilling his duty.

It is a process, it is a life, it is a very high profile life. People ARE going to talk, and often unkindly. It's not a Disney Princess life (odd now that I think of it that she is fleeing to DIsney apparently where she will be the princess she wants to be.)

Anyway, I that's what I think. If she had stayed, taken the heat and proved herself and Harry, gone about their business with a smile, I think they would have been much loved, and become the stars they long to be for doing great things.

So to me, it's done and soon forgotten. But that's why I keep thinking it is say--the missed opportunity to be all you wanted to be. People never "let" you--you have to prove yourself. At least I always have had to. . .

Re: Harry Speaks Out

KKJ — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 16:13:25 GMT

Frankly, I don't understand all the criticism surrounding H and M. I mean, Prince Andrew has done far more to damage the RF lately.

Re: Harry Speaks Out

goldensrbest — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 16:17:28 GMT

But Charles going ons ,was all his fault, he married diana because of queen not allowing him to marry, the other women, I just do not see what megan has been treated the way she has,because of anything she did.This much more than that.

Re: Harry Speaks Out

Sooner — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 16:23:14 GMT

@goldensrbest wrote:
But Charles going ons ,was all his fault, he married diana because of queen not allowing him to marry, the other women, I just do not see what megan has been treated the way she has,because of anything she did.

@goldensrbest I am not arguing that. I am saying that IF one goes on, does their best, takes it, smiles and does their job, they can win over people.

Should they have to? No. Is it the right thing to do? I believe it is. It takes courage to change the world. It takes self sacrifice and love.

I think we can all take today to pay tribute to that kind of attitude. And think about someone who DID change the world and show us the way. But paid dearly for it.

It isn't fair, it isn't what should be, but it changes attitudes, and it changes lives.

Also, I think Charles and Diana were both caught up in something not of their making. I do NOT think she was all innocent and guileless-she grew up with the royals, her sister dated Charles, she wanted "a Prince,"etc. Even their grandmothers were in on the scheme. It was a horrible situation with more than enough people to blame for it. . . what a tangled web it was.

Re: Harry Speaks Out

Scooby Doo — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 16:24:06 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
I realize that you can't help who you fall in love with...but I think he should have known about the consequences of his marriage to MM long before it happened. They made their bed.

On the contrary, I think this is what Harry has been planning for a long time. He knew years ago that he was not up to the job of being a royal. He's a rogue. The other women he dated thought they were going to live the life of a princess and he had other plans. That's why those relationships did not work out. He married later in life when he started looking for a wife in other places. He finally met his match when he found a woman who didn't know about living like a royal and had the guts to stand up to the crown.

He tried to change the rules on his own and in his favor. He found out that The Crown won't be manipulated. QE2 has put her foot down and made him an example.

Re: Harry Speaks Out

Alison Wonderland — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 16:26:03 GMT

@PINKdogWOOD wrote:
It is unfortunate that apparently they're tired of dealing with the press, it's unfortunate that the press cannot back off. However, how do you ditch your family like this especially when your Grandmother is the royalist of the royal in one's family. It's no wonder the Queen Mother is not at all pleased with their decision. What exactly do these two think is going to happen with all of this in Vancouver? Press people are everywhere. Harry & Meghan have not are are still not making this whole situation any easier on themselves, if anything they've called even more attention to themselves rather than staying and residing in GB with the rest of the clan.

Easily, if your situation is toxic to another part of your family. They are trying to raise a child and create their own immediate family. Good for them for looking out for their child and their own relationship. There's absolutely no fault in that just like there's no fault in not waiting to run the family business when you have other plans for your own life.

And they're moving to another country, not Mars. They can visit any time they like. COUNTLESS families have loved ones who move away to different states or countries and have made it work.

Re: Harry Speaks Out

KKJ — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 16:31:42 GMT

@Scooby Doo wrote:
@SilleeMee wrote:
I realize that you can't help who you fall in love with...but I think he should have known about the consequences of his marriage to MM long before it happened. They made their bed.
On the contrary, I think this is what Harry has been planning for a long time. He knew years ago that he was not up to the job of being a royal. He's a rogue. The other women he dated thought they were going to live the life of a princess and he had other plans. That's why those relationships did not work out. He married later in life when he started looking for a wife in other places. He finally met his match when he found a woman who didn't know about living like a royal and had the guts to stand up to the crown.

He tried to change the rules on his own and in his favor. He found out that The Crown won't be manipulated. QE2 has put her foot down and made him an example.

While I'm not saying you're wrong, and only they know the truth, the reasons Harry's previous relationships didn't work out run contrary to what you posted. For instance, everything I 've read says Chelsy Davy & Cressida Bonas--H's former g/f's--did NOT want to live a life in the royal fishbowl, and hence those relationships didn't work out. I tend to think Meghan did have delusions of a glam life as a princess but when the intrusive press started hounding her very aggressively (like they did Diana) she realized she didn't want that.

Re: Harry Speaks Out

Krimpette — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 16:36:16 GMT

They will never escape the press.