Royal expert Jennie Bond has weighed in on the late Queen Elizabeth II's decision to deny Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's request to adopt a "half-in, half-out" status within the royal family back in 2020.
Reflecting on the "Sandringham Summit" where the couple's departure from royal duties was deliberated, Bond expressed her view that the palace's stance was unduly stringent. She remarked, "I’ve always held the view that the late Queen and the Palace were quite harsh when they put down this red line ‘you can’t be half-in, half-out.'"
Bond elaborated on her perspective, suggesting that in a more progressive and evolving monarchy, there could have been room to accommodate the couple's desires for privacy without constant public exposure.
She empathized with the challenges faced by the Sussexes, noting the inherent complexity of their desire for financial independence, which inherently introduces commercial interests and potential conflicts. Bond implied that the palace's outright rejection may have been premature.
Amidst the backdrop of the royal family's current predicament, with a shortage of senior members available for public engagements due to health crises involving Princess Kate and King Charles, the strain on the institution is palpable.
With the 75-year-old monarch temporarily withdrawing from public duties as he battles cancer, and the Princess of Wales recuperating from abdominal surgery, the demand for active royal engagements remains high.
In the aftermath of Meghan and Harry's departure from official royal roles, tensions have escalated, and accusations have been exchanged. However, some criticisms leveled against the royal family have crossed a line, particularly for King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Kate Middleton.
