I find it interesting that many of the royal commentators don’t really know how to spin the the break up of the Royal Foundation into “it’s completely Meghan’s fault.” You know they’re totally desperate to shove everything on her shoulders, but their sources – probably even many of those bitchy royal courtiers – aren’t budging. The truth is, it’s increasingly clear that William was the one orchestrating the break up of the foundation, and he wasn’t even wrong to do it. Anyway, now that we’ve heard what Katie Nicholl had to say about the split, let’s hear from Omid Scobie, someone who has sources deep within Team Sussex. Scobie had many more details, and you can read the full Harper’s Bazaar piece here. Some highlights:
What the old Royal Foundation will now be called: William and Kate will take the reins of the Royal Foundation (which will be renamed the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge) and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will begin their own yet-to-be-titled charity.
The Sussexes will do what they want: “This allows the Sussexes to do things exactly how they want” a palace source tells BAZAAR.com. “Their operating style is very different to the Cambridges and so having their own space to think as big as they like, working on a global scale, is perfect for them.”
The Sussexes ambitions for the new charity: Over the months ahead, both Harry and Meghan (despite remaining on maternity leave through the fall), will work closely with their team and receive pro bono operational support from the Royal Foundation as they outline what their new organization will look like. As before, their charity model will still involve incubating new initiatives that are either one-off projects or bigger programs that will eventually become standalone charities. “This is their chance to stamp their own personality on their charitable work,” a second source tells BAZAAR. “Not only will their new foundation stand the test of time, but it will allow them to do some very ambitious things. Their charity will provide them with an opportunity to create something that will be their defining work—and it’s entirely theirs.”
The timeline: That work has already “swung into action,” says another aide. Still, it’s early days, and the plans for “Project Sussex Foundation” are so beta, preliminary paperwork is only just being filed. However Harry and Meghan are aiming to be up and running before the end of the year. “The couple are very excited,” a Buckingham Palace source tells BAZAAR.
The money Harry & Meghan raised for dedicated projects will stay with the projects: Funds previously raised for the Royal Foundation will remain within the organization, with any money designated to projects such as Meghan’s Hubb Community kitchen project (for which sales of the Together cookbook raised over $630,000) remaining with that project wherever it goes next. It’s likely that all initiatives belonging to the couple will move over to their own foundation, although there is talk for specific programs, such as Prince Harry’s military charity The Endeavor Fund (which already has its own board and finances), to potentially roll into his Invictus Games Foundation, or even be taken on by another charity. “There are multiple scenarios being discussed,” says a spokesperson for the couple. Prince Harry’s mental health documentary series with Oprah, due to be released on Apple TV+ in 2020, will also make up part of the portfolio of projects under the new charity’s umbrella.
The Cambridges & Sussexes will still work together sometimes: “These are big issues that they universally care about,” says a Royal Foundation source. “That won’t change.” And Kensington Palace isn’t ruling out a scenario where the Cambridges step forward to support Harry and Meghan on some of their own foundation’s initiatives.
I think it’s a good thing that the Cambridges aren’t trying to pull a fast one with the money raised specifically for various projects launched within the Royal Foundation but only associated with Harry or Meghan, like the Hubb cookbook. It feels like the financial stuff of all the various initiatives and projects were always kept separately, which is a good thing and that means there will be less bickering when that money leaves The Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Also: at the end of this piece, Scobie talks about William and Kate’s plans for the future of their foundation and Scobie notes, “Kate is involved on a new project supporting children and families which, says a spokesman, ‘the foundation expects to announce in the coming year.’” Perhaps her Big Keen Initiative? Aha, keenbaited again.
Honestly though, it sounds like Meghan and Harry have HUGE plans for their charity work for years to come. They’re going to have so much fun together with their own foundation and getting to work on their own separate stuff.
Photos courtesy of WENN, Backgrid and Avalon Red.
Okay so why are these foundations suddenly the most important things on Earth? I’m asking seriously, are these foundations something more than just charity and diplomacy?
Thank You i said something similar down.
Agree. I have Royal Charity Foundation Competition Fatigue. It just isn’t all that interesting or compelling.
I think, for me at least, its the surrounding circumstances that make it interesting. The spin around it – like the article from a week or two ago def made it sound like it was W&K forcing this split now, and now the RRs cant quite figure out how to spin it – is this a big deal? is it meghans fault? is it just the normal course of things? etc.
@Becks1 I agree about the spin. But even that can only go so far. At the end of the day, I don’t really care who has The Best charity, as long as they’re doing good work. I mean, rich, spoiled, entitled lords and ladies have to find something to do with their time. Might as well make it worthwhile.
About the split: it has everything to do with those rich, spoiled, entitled brothers. Neither of them come off looking good, imo. I like their wives better than either of them.
Yeah it’s all an interesting drama and I know Harry & Meghan have been put up on a pedestal by many people on here but I seriously doubt they’ll do any work that’s more worthwhile than William & Kate. The four of them probably don’t put in full time hours between them. I think the key difference between the couples and their foundations will be who can market themselves better and look like they’re doing the most.
They’ve already done work that is more notable than W&K’s. Sentabale, Invictus Games, the Together cookbook.
I don’t even understand why they all have to have their own foundation. Wouldn’t it be more effective to just work directly with charities already set up instead of adding ANOTHER layer of bureaucracy that is going to reduce funds to the actual beneficiaries?
@Brandy The foundations will incubate new initiatives so there isn’t any charity to give to as yet. For Harry’s projects. like Invictus, the charity can raise funds for it, meaning Invictus does not need a fundraising operation.
It is also a place for things like his Apple money to go, to be granted out to different mental health initiatives later.
Good for them. As I said before Harry and Meghan are in a better position and honestly Kate and William are the definition of clout chasers. No offense but let’s be honest. Those two are so ineffective and have no ideas between the both of them. Harry and Meghan need to keep moving and reach higher because the foolery and complaints from the palace “courtiers” and the press will not stop nor change.
I love the part: “And Kensington Palace isn’t ruling out a scenario where the Cambridges step forward to support Harry and Meghan” Like really? I don’t think the Sussex are going to need much help from Will and Kate. Like you said, Harry and Meghan are in a much better position.
Exactly. Who are they kidding? One post on their Instagram and one outing gets the buzz rolling with Meghan and Harry. They won’t have problems at all and that’s the problem to some. It’s not difficult enough for them. It’s a lot of insecurity about those two.
Stop the hype can we actually wait till this foundation kicks off
And I am saying this as someone who wishes the Monarchy system be abolished ASAP. It is a total waste of money that could be put to better use
It’s going to be interested to compare which royal foundation receives more donations. Is that kind of info made public?
I think the Cambridges will always have more. The Sussex foundation will not be allowed to outdo them and it’s not difficult for them to call in favors from wealthy donors.
They are required to publish the financials and annual reports each year.
“Stand the test of time…”
That part got me too. They haven’t even started yet. What about The Prince’s Trust that neither of them want? What if Archie or future children don’t want to continue their foundation? Someone said upthread it just sounds like more bureaucracy and I agree. There are thousands of charities already established.
I agree. It feels like this is more about William and Kate and Harry and Meghan than about the people they purport to want to help. The Prince’s Trust does fantastic work and is long-established, but each couple wants to “put their stamp on it,” i.e. get credit for it.
My interpretation of that line is they were directing that towards people who are convinced or are hoping that they’ll divorce in the next few years.
I think you’re exactly right, and people who are actively ignoring the tempest-in-paradise trolling are being too cute by half.
Yeah I don’t mind the article, I’m pro M&H but that comment made me roll my eyes.
Honest question that will sound snarky – will William and Kate have any big initiatives left when Harry and Meghan leave? I feel like I always hear about Invictus Games and the cookbook but little about what Kate and Will are up to.
Heads Together, I guess, seems like it will stay mostly with the Cambridges.
Personally, I am loving the language that the Kensington Palace spokespeople use to describe what Kate is doing. I think I’m going to take a leaf out of their book and tell my boss the following:
Dear Boss
I am incredibly keen to make a difference and I’m writing to let you know that I am involved in a project. I can’t/won’t tell you exactly what that project is but I am very much looking forward to announcing more in due course.
Yours
The Hench
If I just keep sending him updated versions of that for the next few years, I’m sure he’ll be fine.
Its like the language I used to use in high school when I hadn’t done the reading.
“well, its clear that the protagonist is caught in a difficult position, but thankfully with a strong friends network was able to survive and move forward.”
“Becks1, we are discussing Romeo and Juliet.”
@Becks1 😂😂😂
tears….good one Becks1! LOL
@The Hench…thanks for the morning laugh😄😄
@The Hench and Becks1, +1. LOL!
It feels like the Cambridges do their charitable work and foundations as part of duty but its obvious that the Sussexes are both passionate about and enjoy cultivating their very specific projects from the ground up. I’m actually excited to see what this becomes because I don’t get the impression that Meghan and Harry are content with being a ribbon cutter. They want to be actively involved, and I’m excited to see their personal touches come through on these.
Good for them. I can see them building something that will survive and thrive, regardless of what happens to the BRF in the future.
I dont get why this is like.. such big news right now. Like maybe I dont know enough about the foundation or how it works but it seems like this is being dragged way out there on both ends from both the Cambridges and Sussexs. I mean, this sounds amazing and I know Meg and Harry will do amazing things but I’m always doubtful when ANY royal anywhere Is talking about their big plans and all the “work” they are doing because lets be real, the folks in the building every day on the computers and the auditors, lawyers, planners, aids, etc. are doing all the real work.
So it’s like I’m glad when they step out and I talk about the fashion and the drama but I always, always side eye the “work”
They’ll be socialite-philanthropists, and probably good at it.
Not going to “Yay” or “Nay” something which is very much speculative at this point.
I just hope this isn’t going to be yet another focal point of competition and comparison between them.
Meghan and Harry have less restriction on them then Will and Kate.
I think that’s the biggest point which *should* be kept in mind.
What restrictions do William and Kate truly have on them? I hear alot about these “restrictions” but for some reason only when applied to W&K. For instance, Charles who is first in line to throne, has time and again thrown any thought of restrictions to the wind in order to better serve the people. When he first started the Prince’s Trust, after serving in the Navy, he was told by the Palace and others that this isn’t a smart move and shouldn’t be done but he went ahead and now look how it’s grown and how many have benefited from it. His stance on the environment was derided for years and he was the butt of many a joke but now his stance is being taken up worldwide. His work creating the town of Poundbury was sneered at and promised that it would never work but it’s now a thriving model community. Personally I think that these “restrictions” placed on William and Kate are placed there by themselves, if they wanted to they could set the world on fire, as the Reverend noted in their wedding sermon, they are the ones putting out that fire.
The only restrictions are the self-imposed ones invented by the Cambridges. They have set the bar so low on their commitments, it’s laughable. They are the future future King & Queen consort. The actual next in line couple tackle all sorts of issues with their charities and no one NO ONE goes on about them being restricted due to their roles. It’s a cope out and an obvious one borne by their actions over the last 8 years. They are lazy and uninspired and got showed up by the Sussexes.
This is a brilliant, supportive Prince Charles piece and I totally agree! Prince Charles has been an ass, yes…(who hasn’t, at one time or another) but he’s also managed to carve out something useful with his life’s work, and I think that’s admirable. I hope Harry will reconsider and absorb the Prince’s trust into his portfolio. It does good work.
This whole “restrictions” business is just another in a long line of excuses as to why we won’t see W&K working very much. It’s like, quick, let’s get out some preemptive excuse that we can refer back to next year when neither W&K have done anything new.
The only restrictions are ones that they are in control of: their own motivation, creativity, drive, etc. As Harla points out, Charles never cried about restrictions, but rather looked for ways to expand his role and his reach. He’s worked with celebrities (so, no excuse there, William), done TV programs, founded the very successful Prince’s Trust, and even went commercial with Duchy Oringals and his own B&B!! There are no restrictions (like the ones people have been going on about) with being an heir to the throne. If anything, William has more leeway because no one will tell him no or discourage him from doing anything that catches his fancy. The world is his oyster and all he does is make excuses and blame other people.
If actual heir apparent Charles didn’t have any restrictions when he set up the Princes Trust and all his other projects starting from the 70s, then it is utter bs to pretend that William has any restrictions. William also has zero constitutional role as heir to the heir apparent, as I have seen that nonsense spread about too. Only the monarch has a constitutional role. None of the heirs and “ future kings “ have a role specified in the constitution.
I think it’s great that they are splitting. I hated Harry as the third wheel, when he was much more intimately involved with his charities. I also hated the Fab Four crap the tabs were trying to force them into when it was apparent during that lone joint appearance there had been personality clashes behind the scenes.
And forever laughing at the hedging about Kate’s initiative. Announce it already! My God! How long does it take to get this thing rolling?
It is going to be the project she does for the rest of her life, no need to rush things and accomplish anything. The keen will continue for years.
It’s going to be like Vera from Cheers, always discussed but never seen.
LOL
And Maris from Frasier.
This is a subtle dig at the Cambridges and the Royal Foundation that is NOT financially secure. I also love that its basically confirming that the cookbook and Invictus Games are going with the Sussex’s so the DoLittles can’t freeload off them much longer.
The Sussex’s foundation WILL stand the test of time as they are INTERESTED in their charity/philanthropic work beyond a PR opportunity.
It’s interesting too, if you look at the 2018 financials (in the annual report??) money was taken from the Sussex-led projects and given to the Cambridge-led projects. I started wondering if the money was taken in advance of the split (knowing that the more financially healthy projects would be leaving) so the Cambridge foundation won’t be as cash-strapped. Yes…I’m totally suspicious, lol.
Royalwatcher–Do you remember what the different projects? Reallocating funds doesn’t seem particularly scandalous to me when, in theory, the RF was meant to support and fund ALL of their work and research as one big umbrella.
Wonderful move. There are tax benefits to having a foundation but mainly, for rich folk, having a foundation helps define their legacy and they define it under one umbrella. I am all for this separation.
This summer the Cambridges announced their support for the new Boat race called the Kings cup I believe?!? Kate and Will plan to be racing against each other as part of the attraction. It is similar to the elite America’s cup races held which is sponsored by Louis Vuitton, BMW and Oracle to name a few. I think they are doing this to attract big corporate money vs the little money when you reach out to individuals. This I believe will be one of the defining flagship charities for their foundation. So whatever happened to broken Britain? :-(.
But I thought Kate’s shiny, new initiative was supposed to be rolled out this year? What happened with the whole Broken Britain thing?
I thought so too. I thought we were told it would be the beginning of 2019…which has come and gone. But, I’m assuming it’s the project referred to in the last bit of the KP press release that indicated something will be coming next year. I wonder how many times/years we’ll hear this before it fades into nothingness. I much prefer the way Meghan did the cookbook – announce it when it’s done!
I think the confusion about Kate’s Early Years Initiative comes from KP/Poor Jason not clarifying early on that there was going to be 1-2 years of research via the committee she formed before they were ever going to be able to put together a formal plan of action for anything. So the study she commissioned through the Royal Foundation sounds like it was finished, and now, hopefully, that committee will be able to provide concrete suggestions about what programs they could create or partner with.
Whoever leaked the Broken Britain project to the Daily Mail a few days before the cookbook was released was more concerned with trying to one up Meghan’s completed project without the foresight to see that it would make Kate look bad as nothing of substance is provided month after month of leaking the story.
Catherine Quinn calling together experts to have meetings Kate doesn’t attend, Kate taking credit years from now for things like “Gee, parents, pay attention to your kids”. Water is wet.
I think this is a good thing as well. I’m sure that H & M were seeing how their hard work, initiative and popularity could be siphoned off by W & K, and they were like, “Yeahhh, no. Our work, our credit.”
I do think their foundation will last, because they do both seem very interested in their philanthropic endeavors, don’t mind the meetings and getting in their to work either behind the scenes or in front of the cameras if that’s what will raise awareness. I think it could be like The Prince’s Trust and do some great work for years into the future.
I’m very proud of Harry and Meghan for striking out on their own. So many people have tried to tear them down and they’ve all failed. They’re happy, in love with each other and their baby and they’re going to try and use the enormous privilege they have to make a difference in the world.
I can’t help but feel a bit sorry for William. He’s going to be so alone. Maybe that’s why he was against Harry marrying Meghan. He realized how much he counted on his brother to be there for him, although it doesn’t seem like he appreciated Harry very much. But Harry wanted a life of his own and now William is going to have to find a way and try to be happy.
William and Kate won’t be able to hide behind Harry and Meghan’s hard work; they’re going to have to produce results on their own. And this move also means that Meghan isn’t going to be the scapegoat. No stories about how Mean Mixed-Race Meghan made the English Rose cry. The next little while is going to be VERY interesting.
@kerwood – Rewatched the engagement interview a few days ago, and don’t believe William was against Harry marrying Meghan. I could see him asking “Are you sure?”, not unreasonable given how fast things moved, but H&M talked for several minutes about the family’s reaction – all positive. “The family together [specific reference to W&K, Charles, HM and Phillip] has been absolutely solid support”. They’d met W&K quite a few times, they’d been longing to meet Meghan, “Catherine has been absolutely amazing, William has as well, fantastic support”. And certainly Harry and William seemed on good terms on the day of the wedding.
But very likely William assumed that nothing would change, he’d still have the same control and influence over Harry. But now Harry has a partner in Meghan, and a lot has in fact changed.
I also feel a bit sorry for William –his father and now Harry both have satisfying relationships. William doesn’t seem happy (though he clearly loves his kids), but I don’t blame Catherine. She was probably a reasonable choice at that time for the person he is. But I think he’s discovering who he is no longer works. In the short term, looks like he chose to double down on his attempts to control the world around him, hence the fracture in his and Harry’s relationship. He’s lost that battle, whether he knows it yet or not. The separation of the households, and now foundations, will make it very clear very soon.
As you say – “now William is going to have to find a way and try to be happy.” The path is there (and no, I’m not talking about divorcing Kate), if he’s able to take it.
I agree. The very timing of the stories gives some insight into when exactly the problems between the brothers/couples started. After the successful tour and the announcement of a baby.
Why is it that we had to wait until November to hear that Meghan made Kate cry before the wedding in May.
While the brothers may have had their issues all along the “outing” of all issues related to Meghan began after it was clear that this couple would overshadow William and Kate.
So whether it was William, the courtiers or the Middletons, this all happened because of jealousy.
I’ll wait until I see the results but I have a feeling this is going to be a tremendous success for the Sussexes. Just look at how much Harry’s Sentebale and Invictus initiatives have done and how popular they are. I hope they keep that momentum going and that this will give the Cambridges a nudge to actually DO something, instead of keep sending press releases about vague projects that never seem to come to fruition.
It seems apparent that Harry and Meghan can be super successful and raise a lot of funds and awareness and interest all on their own, and I look forward to seeing what they do next, independently of any other branch of the BRF. I was not a huge Meghan fan before the Hubb cookbook rollout (I mean, I had a very positive reaction to the engagement but I just did not know anything about her), but the way the cookbook was launched was so informative and moving and warm, that I bought four of them — one for myself and three as gifts for my two sisters-in-law and mother-in-law. And I don’t habitually buy celebrity-charity-related things, this was an exception. If H&M can keep rolling out cool projects like that for fantastic causes, I’ll probably keep buying what they’re selling!
Harry got screwed. He couldn’t get a real job until William had enough kids and now he’s no longer needed as the spare it’s too late for him to begin a proper career.
Now he’s faced with becoming increasingly irrelevant and being forced to ensure he doesn’t steal too much spotlight and money from the Cambridge’s foundation. His foundation is always going to be an also-ran. Not his fault, it won’t be allowed to be the number one success.
There will come a time when Harry will only be of interest to people our age and the younger generations will say – who – as they focus on the Cambridge kids. He really would have been better off starting his own life not staring down the barrel of Princess Margaret idleness and irrelevancy.