Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: Not So "Financially Independent" After All
They recently dropped a nuclear bomb into Buckingham Palace after announcing to the world their plans to step back as 'senior royals,' an announcement that was not cleared with the Queen, Prince Charles, or Prince William beforehand.
In their statement on Instagram, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle claim they "intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent."
However, what exactly does this supposed "financial independence" really mean? Does Prince Harry plan on taking up a shift at McDonald's?
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Are Harry and Meghan Making The Right Decision To Step Back?
They Won't Be As 'Financially Independent' As They Claim
Despite their claims that they will be financially independent, they haven't exactly explained what this will mean, and critics have been quick to point out inconsistencies in this statement.
Tax payers will still be funding Meghan and Harry's security, travel (will that be by commercial or private jet?), and accommodation, while they will still receive 2.3 million pounds from Prince Charles' royal estate.
That's a very different story from the assumption that they'll be getting real jobs like normal people, or "commoners" who have to financially support themselves in every way, and certainly don't receive millions of pounds every year.
They've Just Put Up A Flashy New Website
They recently put up a new website that was registered in March of last year, and on it they claimed they were not able to make money for themselves as senior royals.
The stunning statement has seen many people leap at the chance to criticize them, and its been seen as further evidence that the couple is clearly out of touch.
The royal couple is trying to do what they want while still keeping one toe in the royal family, and public purse.
Blurring The Lines Between Royalty and Celebrity
David McClure is the author of the book Royal Legacy, which looks at the royal family's wealth and history of their finances.
He told the Daily Mail, "How can you be half in, half out - half the week perform public duties and the other half earn your own income with TV, lectures, books? It is fraught with dangers."
This is very true, and it appears Meghan and Harry are very much blurring the lines between celebrity and royalty, something she has already been criticized for in the past.
What About Frogmore Cottage?
A great deal of criticism will come from the fact that The Duke and Duchess Of Sussex spent millions of pounds of public funding on the refurbishment of their home, Frogmore Cottage, and now don't even plan on living in it full-time.
McClure, continued, "If they're going to spend significant time in Canada, they're not going to spend so much time in this beautifully refurbished Frogmore Cottage. I can see people legitimately kicking up a fuss about that."
Things are once again getting interesting at Buckingham Palace and we're only 9 days into the year. What will come next? Will Prince Andrew suddenly announce his desire to start living in Canada?
