Today on 31st March the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are stepping down as Senior members of the Royal Family. You can read about that decision as it happened elsewhere on this blog. Recently the Duke and Duchess have completed the last few engagements that were already in their diaries. This is reflection on those engagements.
The couple left baby Archie is Canada, where the family are now based. The Duke flew over first to carry out some engagements on his own first, before the Duchess joined him. The first of these was in Scotland, where the Duke told people to just call him, “Harry,” reflecting the forthcoming change of status he is facing. This I think gives us an insight into what the future interaction between the Sussex’s and the public will look like; it will be very much informal and casual, and a a real change from the formal way they were treated before, and from the protocol surrounding the rest of the royals. However, one could say that perhaps it would have shown more consideration for them to wait before embracing this new informality, as until 31st March they are still senior royals. This approach could be seen as trying to draw attention to themselves and how different they are, before it is needed. On this engagement the Duke revealed the next phase of work of Travalyst, which aims to build trips and holidays that have social, environmental and economic benefits to communities and destinations built in. The Duke said, “We are a coalition of partners with a shared goal to transform the future of tourism and travel for everyone – to give people access to better information and ensure the future development of tourism positively supports the destinations that the industry relies on, and that their communities depend on. We believe travel is a good thing. It is the heart of human experience, of cultural connections and of new friendships.”
Some engagements involved supporting and promoting the Invictus Games, an initiative that the Duke started, and that he will continue to lead, despite his change of role within the royal family. He recorded a song with the artist Jon Bon Jovi and the Invictus Games Choir for a special live session at Abbey Road Studios, in aid of the Invictus Games Foundation. They recorded a song called, ‘Unbroken,’ to be released in March, which was written by Jon Bon Jovi to shine a light on those living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
On 5th March the Duchess made her first public appearance with the Duke since the announcement that they would step down as senior royals. The Sussex’s attended the Endeavour Awards at Mansion House, London. The Awards celebrate the achievements of sick and injured servicemen and women. The Duke gave a speech at the reception saying, "I feel lucky to be able to count myself as one of you; and am deeply proud to have served among you as Captain Wales. A lot of you tonight have told me you have my back, well I'm also here to tell you, I've always got yours." The Duchess kept it simple in a smart blue dress, without any particular detailing. I think from the video footage that she did seem a bit nervous, confirming that she has been unhappy with her role in the limelight in such a way. She looked almost fragile.
The next day saw the Duke travel to Silverstone Race Track, where, along with British Formula 1 Driver Lewis Hamilton, he opened a new museum and immersive experience, called The Silverstone Experience. They met volunteers and young people, and toured the various exhibits. The day before, the Duchess had a solo engagement in her capacity as Royal Patron of the National Theatre. Meghan visited The Immersive Storytelling Studio in London, where new forms of emotive storytelling are being explored through the latest technology of Virtual Reality. Virtual Reality also featured in the Sussex’s recent trip to Stanford University in the states, and on their Instagram the two trips were mentioned to link them, showing us that they are trying to emphasise crossovers between the USA and UK, and their work in both countries.
On 7th March, the Duke and Duchess made a joint appearance at the annual Mountbatten Festival of Music at the Royal Albert Hall, with the Duke there in his capacity as Captain General of the Royal Marines. Taking their seats in the royal box, the couple received a round of applause and a standing ovation, as would be expected for the arrival of royals. During the interval, the couple met performers, including uniformed band members. The Duchess wore a lovely red dress, that was both simple and striking. The concert raised money for the Royal Marines charity.
On International Women’s Day, 8th March, the official instagram of the Sussex’s released video’s, photo’s and information about the Duchess’s visit from earlier on in the week, to celebrate the day. The Duchess had visited the Robert Clack School in Dagenham, the place where women went on strike for equal pay that led to women in Britain winning the right to equal pay, 50 years ago. The Duchess met with one of the strikers, Geraldine Dear, and spoke to girls and boys from the school about what the next generation think of International Women’s Day, and equality between the genders. Speaking to the students, the Duchess invited one of the boys to share his thoughts too.
On 9th March, the Duke and Duchess carried out their final engagement as senior royals. Alongside the Queen, Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Earl and Countess of Wessex, they attended the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey. The service featured representatives from all the commonwealth countries, and was a multi-faith service. The Queen, as head of the commonwealth, instituted the Commonwealth Day Service. Children and young people also attended the service, representing the future of the commonwealth. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex carried out this last engagement with solemnity and serenity, and I think they did very well.
The week before the Commonwealth Day Service, the Duke and Duchess did some filming for the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, in their capacity as President and Vice President. Also, the Duchess met with students studying across the commonwealth, in her role as President of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, to find out how they plan to tackle global challenges.
So there we have it, the Sussex’s have turned the page over and begun a new chapter in both their private and public lives, and for the monarchy. We will have to wait and see how this plays out. It has been a bumpy few months, but I am glad that the Sussex’s are looking after themselves. But it does seem a shame for them to go like this.
So, what is happening with the official stepping down of the Sussex’s? Here is what we know:
After 12 months, the role of the Sussex’s will be reviewed
Although still members of the royal family, the couple will not use their HRH titles, but will remain The Duke and Duchess of Sussex
They have no office based at Buckingham Palace, instead they will use their new foundation
They will receive no income from The Sovereign Grant (money from the British government, funded by the taxpayer)
They will be financially independent
They will pay back the taxpayers money used towards the refurbishments of Frogmore House in Windsor
Instead of a new charitable foundation, the couple will create a non-profit organisation
They are not allowed to use the word, ‘royal,’ in their branding, so, ‘Sussex Royal,’ will no longer be used
They will keep Frogmore House in Windsor as a UK base, but are expected to spend most of their time in North America
Canada will not fund their security
The Duke will lose his honorary military roles, but will keep the ranks of Major, Lieutenant Commander, and Squadron Leader, and nobody will fill his honorary roles, as they will be reviewed at the end of the 12 month review period
They will continue to focus on the Commonwealth, community, youth empowerment and mental health
The Duke will not lose his place in the line of succession
The couple will retain their patronages and presidencies of their various charities and organisations
The Duke has made it clear that this is his decision, and Meghan is not to blame. Also, that the Sussex’s initially wished to still represent the Queen and carry out official royal duties, but on a more part-time basis. However, after many discussions, the Queen made it clear this would not be possible.
Personally, I think it is a huge shame that we are losing the Sussex’s. They have shown themselves to be full of enthusiasm and goodwill. They focus on those with no voice, and can be bold in trying out new ways of doing things, which other royals, such as the Cambridge’s, can’t, because of their destiny as King and Queen. But there was nothing to prevent the Sussex’s. If they had shared their ideas for a modernised monarchy, such as their new media approach, then they could have affected change across the monarchy, as opposed to just within their own household, and seen a more effective and widespread change. They could have helped their family carry the volume of work, but now the others will have to pick up the load. I do think that some of the Sussex’s approaches were too controversial and they did not always obey protocol and tradition (which helps keep stability), but they had a chance to reach groups of people in new ways without constitutional duties to hold them back. Furthermore, by pushing away their family, they push away the only people who will truly understand what it is like to be royal. However, their mental and emotional health is paramount, I just wish they could have gone about this in a more sensitive way towards their family. It will be interesting to see how their new roles develop in this unprecedented situation.
I wish them all the best as they start this new chapter of their lives.
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