ENTERTAINMENT

KERRE M c IVOR short BLONDE

the right direction A STEP IN

Who can really blame Prince Harry and wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex for wanting to make their own way in the world? In a recent move that has stunned royal watchers, the two announced that they intended to step back from their positions as senior royals and divide their time between North America and the UK. They said in their statement they want to become financially independent, while continuing to support the Queen, the monarchy and keep working with their chosen charities. The tabloids are having a field day, with insiders reporting that Prince Charles and Harry’s brother Prince William are “incandescent with rage” at the announcement as they wanted more time to work out a strategy that would meet the needs of all parties involved. Whether or not this is true is anybody’s guess, although judging from the terse, twoparagraph response from Buckingham Palace, there’s an element of truth there. “Discussions with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage. We understand their desire to take a different approach but these are complicated issues that take time to work through.” Yikes. For what it’s worth, though, I think Harry and Meghan are doing the right thing. Being the spare to the heir is an inglorious position. Look at previous generations. Princess Margaret was unable to give up the trappings of royal life and became a lost soul, gadding about town, taking up with unsuitable lovers and drinking and smoking herself to an early grave. The less said about Prince Andrew the better − an entitled, pompous fool without any discernible skills, he’s done more to damage the royal brand than anyone since Edward VIII. For a while Harry was a wild child. Again, who can blame him? Losing his mother at such a young age, knowing that he would only be required for the top job if his brother died young and without children ... it’s hardly the ideal situation for a young man to thrive in. But then along came Meghan and Harry found his soul mate. The writing has been on the wall ever since the two were married. Meghan has struggled under the relentless spotlight focused on her by the British media, while Harry has struggled to protect his wife from the same forces his mother fell victim to. Why shouldn’t they live their own lives? The line of succession is secure with Charles, William and William’s children. What possible use is there now for Harry and his wife within the royal family other than as pretty dress-up dolls to be wheeled out at black-tie functions? I think it’s great they want to use their skills and position to support causes, unencumbered by the constraints of being part of The Firm. Naysayers are wondering how flitting between North America and the UK is going to fit in with the couple’s stance on global warming, and whether the British taxpayers will foot the bill for Harry and Meghan’s respective protection given they are no longer working for the royal family. The anti-Meghan cabal are also in full cry, blaming the American for turning Harry away from his family. That’s not fair. Harry is his own man and from the interviews I’ve read, he’s struggled with what he was born into his entire life. It’s tough enough to be a royal, let alone be a royal who doesn’t have a role or function. I wish the young family well and I hope Harry finds his true calling in life. KERRE’S ON TEAM HARRY AND MEGHAN!