IT has come to pass that Harry and Meghan wish to become "financially independent", so their recent statement says (A right royal shock... Harry and Meghan quit frontline public life, The Herald January 9). I, for one, say "good luck" with that. But what exactly does that mean?
It has been said that they would no longer receive any contribution from the Sovereign Grant, funded by the taxpayers. That makes sense, but what about the money which Harry receives from the Duchy of Cornwall estate through his father and the substantial public costs of their police protection? Are they planning to repay the taxpayers the £2 million-plus paid to refurbish Frogmore Cottage, which they plan to retain?
If they are so disenchanted with their lives of privilege within the embrace of the Royal Family and they are seeking greater independence for themselves and young Archie why do they not go the whole hog? That would mean an end for them of the titles they currently hold and having no income from the public purse. I suspect that they are not prepared to go that far although by the standards of most people they can both be regarded as being very wealthy. This episode has all the makings of "wanting your cake and eating it" and is not really deserving of respect.
It is understood that the Queen was not advised in advance of the issue of the statement on behalf of her grand-son and his wife. She deserved better. One wonders what she says privately to Prince Philip about the impact of Meghan upon the Royal Family generally and Harry in particular.
Ian W Thomson, Lenzie.
HAVING lived in the Netherlands and Norway, where only the Monarch and the Crown Prince are paid out of the public purse, I congratulate Harry and wife in withdrawing from front-line royal duties.
Hopefully others will follow, whether voluntarily or by compulsion. If we are to retain the monarchy as an institution then it must move into the 21st century and have some relevance. Perhaps we should look across the water and see how cost-effective and much loved is President Michael Higgins in the Republic of Ireland.
Fergus Wood, Kinlochard.
PRINCE Harry reminds me of the late Zsa Zsa Gabor's adage, "A man in love is incomplete until he has married. Then he is finished".
Rev Dr Robert Anderson, Dundonald.
IN all the fuss over the future plans of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, one serious matter seems to have been overlooked. Their public statement includes a split infinitive – “… continuing to fully support Her Majesty...”
Now I know that, quite rightly, to split an infinitive is no longer regarded as a major, or even minor, grammatical crime. But surely we should be able to rely on the Royal Family maintaining traditional standards, including those beloved by ancient grammarians? No wonder the Queen is reported to be disappointed.
Alistair Easton, Edinburgh EH12.
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