Jane Goodall: Prince Harry said that Archie ‘isn’t growing up like’ the royals

Britain's Prince Harry and Dr Jane Goodall dance as he attends Dr Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots Global Leadership Meeting at St. George's House, Windsor Castle in England, Tuesday, July 23, 2019. Roots & Shoots is a global programme empowering young people of all ages, working to ignite and inspire the belief that every individual can take action to make the world a better place for people, animals and the environment.

There are so many dumb stories about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex over the past few days. Harry and Meghan have barely issued two statements in two weeks, and they’re clearly trying to avoid drawing attention to themselves during the coronavirus crisis. But every tabloid and media outlet is still convinced that Harry and Meghan are doing a lot, perhaps even “the most.” Anyway, let’s start with the most reasonable story from the weekend. Dr. Jane Goodall did an event with Harry shortly after Archie was born, and Dr. Goodall was one of the first people to meet Archie. She had an interesting story about something Harry said to her about Archie:

Dr Jane Goodall told how her friend Prince Harry hinted at leaving the royal family months before his bombshell ‘Megxit’ announcement. Dr Goodall, 86, who is in lockdown in Bournemouth, recalls a comment made by the prince, 35, during a conversation last summer. Speaking to the Daily Mail’s Weekend Magazine, Dr Goodall said Harry had told her he didn’t want Archie growing up with the airs and graces of a royal – suggesting he and Meghan, 38, already had other plans for their future.

‘At the end [of the conversation] Meghan came in to listen with Archie,’ Dr Goodall recalled. ‘He was very tiny and very sleepy – not too pleased to be passed from his mummy. I think I was one of the first to cuddle him outside the family. I made Archie do the Queen’s wave, saying, “I suppose he’ll have to learn this”. Harry said, “No, he’s not growing up like that.”’

[From The Daily Mail]

For as much as people STILL want to make everything about Evil Meg dragging Poor Harry away from his family, there is still little acknowledgement that Harry very possibly dragged Meghan away, that he had enough of his family’s bulls–t and he wanted out, and that he never wanted his children to go through any of the Windsors’ dumbassery. Anyway, other outlets are trying to regurgitate the whole “Harry and Meghan might do a paid interview” story:

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have reportedly been offered over $1 million to do a sit down, tell-all interview — not unlike the famous interview Princess Diana did with Martin Bashir decades ago. The underemployed couple, who just moved to Los Angeles and are looking for work, is said to be in talks with several networks to feature their new life, their new home and get them back in the spotlight.

“Sources close to the Duchess revealed Oprah Winfrey is a favorite to quiz Meghan on her bombshell exit with Harry from ‘the Firm,’” according to the Daily Star. Markle, who took a lot of flak for getting Harry to ditch England, thinks it will be a good way to win back public support and wants to “allow cameras to film their home and family life, and Harry is said to be giving ‘serious consideration’ to the proposal.”

“Meghan wants to donate all the money to charity – probably the NHS after the incredible efforts of all the frontline workers,” the source added. Although, it could be funneled into their new charity, Archewell, named after baby Archie. “When she was part of the Royal Family, it would have been unthinkable for her to do a solo interview with anyone about her life and how being a princess has changed her world. But now she’s very much her own boss and it has put her under pressure feeling that the public have lost their ‘love’ for her and Harry ­after they took the big step of­ ­going on their own”.

The move is apparently weighing on Harry. His biographer, Angela Levin — who spent over a year accompanying the royal on his engagements — has slammed the Prince’s recent behavior and described the Prince as once being “charismatic, intuitive and quick-witted but also restless and trouble.” Levin now categorizes the behavior of the Sussexes as “increasingly self-centered,” with their recent decision to decamp to Los Angeles as proof. “Their choice of priorities smacks more of spoilt defiant teenagers than adults in their mid and late-thirties,” says Levin. “I see a Harry who has turned sour, callous even and is obviously stressed.”

[From Page Six]

Angela Levin needs to get a grip. As for the idea of an interview… I hope they do one. I’ve always hoped for that. I hoped they would do an interview last year, back when everything awful was happening. They have a story to tell and that story is worth something. But who would pay, that’s the real question. Most outlets (60 Minutes, 20/20, etc) won’t pay for their interviews. Maybe Oprah would though? For OWN?

And finally, the Sun claims that Meghan and Harry have already purchased Mel Gibson’s Malibu mansion. But who knows.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend The Mountbatten Festival of Music in London

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, WENN.

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105 Responses to “Jane Goodall: Prince Harry said that Archie ‘isn’t growing up like’ the royals”

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  1. Seraphina says:

    In the end, we will never know whose idea it was. Regardless, I wish the all the best and I think they did the best they could in the family and getting out was a brilliant move. The more I see of the The Crown (and I know I can’t base my view on the BFR on a drama series) BUT there is a bit of truth to it. So good on them.

    • Imtired says:

      Yes they seem to be a normal couple so we don’t really need to focus on whose idea it was, who said it first, etc. Even if it was MMs idea and she really pushed for it (with good intentions ) and he ends up divorced or sad, oh well. We all make the decisions that seem best in our lives and some great people still end up divorced plus with some families there will always be sadness. It’s never going to be MMs fault if PH has sadness about his birth family. Tired of the narrative that she controls his life and is responsible for his happiness. She’s 3 years older that’s not much. Me and my SO are the same ages as them actually. Does not mean I’m the boss

      • Some chick says:

        I’M tired of this “divorce!” thing coming up. WHY would they divorce? They already divorced from the toxic BRF. They are with who they want to be with – one another, and their baby.

        Some people apparently cannot get over the obvious fact that the biracial american is better than the BRFs at their own work. Quick! Clutch yr pearls!

        OMG, Harry is “stressed” – who isn’t?! Other than covidiots. I feel stupid for just having read the quotes.

        But, please, save your “divorce” narrative for the DF comment section. It’s ridiculous.

      • Ruby_Woo says:

        @somechick: because there are a lot of very sad, lonely, vindictive people out there. I think a lot of these ‘Royalists’ are so caught up in thinking that being in the RF is the epitome of society and life that they really get over the fact that someone may not want this life. Forget about the fact that Harry had to walk behind his mother’s coffin, have his phoned hack, had to leave the army because the press disclosed his location, always taunted as being illegitimate.

        And Meghan was never good enough – wrong background, wrong age, wrong colour, wrong nationalitry, wrong opinions, smiled too, worked too hard blah blah blah.

        Things will never be well with these people. Anyone who wishes a man to leave his wife and child is deep down very broken. And I bet my last penny that all these people are in miserable relationships themselves and get treated like shit by their partners.

  2. Sofia says:

    Harry could stand on the steps of Buckingham Palace screaming “FUCK THE QUEEN!”, middle fingers up and start shouting republican sentiments and people would still say that it’s ALL “evil” Meghan’s fault

    • FicklePickle says:

      Well of course, goodness knows Poor Dumb Harry has a brain only filled with tea, bunting, and “God Save the Queen” on perpetual repeat, he couldn’t POSSIBLY disagree with the Queen about anything ever unless That Painted Whore put him up to it.

      (I am actually rather surprised I haven’t seen any of the UK tabs literally refer to H&MM as such. Yet.)

  3. Marie says:

    I fully believe that Harry had an exit plan even when he proposed to Meghan. I’m sure he wanted it to work and to serve the Queen with Meghan but once the smear campaign kicked in while she was pregnant, he convinced her to leave. He didn’t want his son to endure what happened to him and it would be a lot worse. This was Harry’s idea, no doubt.

    Angela is a creepy lady and feels like she has ownership over Harry for interviewing him for 10 minutes for her stupid book. It’s people like her that made Harry leave. The ownership is disgusting.

    • Bren says:

      Agreed about Harry having an exit plan from the start. Some love to paint Meghan as the evil schemer but I believe it was Harry who was strategic in choosing his wife. Don’t get me wrong, Harry adores Meghan but ultimately she gives him options that would’ve been more difficult to navigate (life outside the royal family) if he married an English woman within his social circle.

      • S808 says:

        I absolutely agree. I will always argue that Meghan saved Harry and not the other way around.

      • Jamie says:

        I think you’re right. Wasn’t Chelsy’s family living in a different country too?
        It’s a lot easier to leave when your wife is not tied to the UK.

      • lucy2 says:

        I agree. I think when he fell for her, he also saw what a regular life could be like.

      • Eleonor says:

        This.
        I remember the Tom and Lorenzo podcast, and they were spot on in saying it was ALL on Harry, because Harry has been done with the Royal crap since the day he had to walk behind his mother coffin with the eyes of the world press on him

    • MeghanNotMarkle says:

      I believe it, too. He had been vocal years before meeting her about wanting out of the royal fishbowl. This wasn’t some evil scheme that Meghan concocted. He’s wanted this all along and I think he purposely chose a partner who would support his desires.

      • Tessa says:

        Still the ugly comments go on like anti Sussexes “insisting” Meghan does not let Harry hold Archie. SO twisted. No wonder they left.

  4. Mumbles says:

    Harry may not have wanted his child to grow up Royal, but he certainly does not want him to not grow up privileged and wealthy. He and his brother’s fetish and protestations about their kids “growing up normal” is so shallow.

    • Ali says:

      Yup. If harry was a real man he’d raise his son poverty.

      • Bella DuPont says:

        @ Ali

        😂😂😂

        Exactly. Perfect response to a completely asinine comment.

      • LindaS says:

        This is the problem with some people on here. As soon as somebody says something they dont agree with they jump to the opposite extreme. There is an in between in from rich and privileged to poverty.

      • VS says:

        by the way, I love your answer!!! it was so on point!

    • VS says:

      So he should raise his son in poverty even though he could afford not to? how does your post even make sense?

      • Prayer Warrior says:

        I hope Ali is being sarcastic? @Mumbles…your sentence is confusing. Harry already knows he is privileged and wealthy and his son will grow up in that environment to a certain extent. But I think Harry is AWARE, and that is a huge difference between him and his brother. Wm pretends to be real, but Harry IS real. And Meghan has lived a very REAL life, so between the two of them Archie will be well grounded, and also know how to behave around Grandpapa et al when the need arises.

      • Mumbles says:

        That “royal wave“ that he’s so adamant his son won’t have to do is what enables him to live a very lavish lifestyle on a high school education. For years we heard from William how his children will be “normal.” And now it is Harry’s turn. But neither really want a normal life for themselves or their kids. Because that would require the hard work and sacrifice that the rest of us live.

      • VS says:

        @Prayer Warrior — my response is not to Ali because I got he/she was being sarcastic. The OP obviously didn’t make sense or was trying to say something, only gosh knows what! I know some don’t even try to make sense anymore, which is actually ok; after all, I have to watch orange man almost every day now

    • Melissa says:

      Terribly moderately wealthy would probably do.

    • Valiantly Varnished says:

      I dont know anyone who wants to raise a child in poverty.

      • Aang says:

        Who said poverty? Literally no one. Harry is very wealthy. Just the idea that William continues to live off the spoils of a racist empire and Harry has to continue to take money from his dad until he can support himself even though he’s a multi millionaire says all we need to know about both brothers.

      • Ali says:

        @MUMBLES Could you expand what you mean. I made a sarcastic comment because I didn’t understand what you meant.

        Because I dont see the issue with Prince Harry raising his son Archie a privileged normal life.

        Harry isnt going to work a 9 to 5 job and put Archie into public school.

        The queen’s wave will not be s normal part of Archie’s life just like Princess Margaret’s children and other members of the extended royal family.

      • MeganBot2020 says:

        Aang, this entire comment thread was started by the poster “Ali” who used the word poverty. It’s literally right there at the top of this comment thread.

      • Aang says:

        Meganbot2020: that comment is 100% sarcasm.

    • Bella says:

      @Mumbles, growing up “royal” and growing up “privileged and wealthy” are very different.

      People project so much onto Harry. He thinks his wealth, position and privilege make it incumbent on him to help the less fortunate and address social ills. He is caring and compassionate; he has never claimed not to care about wealth. And he is also a staunch monarchist, but knows the price paid for being in the spotlight and sees no need for his son to pay that price at 7th in line.

      • Marie says:

        Thank you Bella! You nailed it. Harry was born into this, he can’t help that. He did leave and is wanting to make his own way. Yes, the first year will be trial and error but he is trying , which is more than I can say for rest of them. He wants a better life for his so n. Nothing wrong with that.

      • TheOriginalMia says:

        Well said, Bella! Harry & William are different. One wants to play at being normal and one is actually doing it. Normal people can be also be wealthy people. That is what people seem to forget. There are extremely wealthy people raising their kids to be good, honest, empathetic human beings. And there are extremely wealthy, privilege people raising pricks who think the world should revolve around them.

    • MsIam says:

      Normal also means getting to make choices about the direction of your life. I don’t see that as exclusively the right of the wealthy and privileged but maybe that’s the case where you live. I think Harry feels his children should get some say in how they want to live, instead of having a lifetime assigned to ribbon cuttings and parties in exchange for houses and jewelry.

    • Chelle says:

      I’m not in Harry’s head and neither has he defined what “not royal” means. However, whatever it means I think it’s safe to say that “not royal” means all the negative things he associates it with. For example, for him “not royal” probably doesn’t mean an absence of duty and service to Queen, country or foregoing a personal relationship with his grandmother but for him it does probably mean freedom from courtiers, freedom from having to be constantly shit on because you weren’t born first, or having to please the press or suffer vicious attacks because you’re viewed as public property and therefore an easy target and/or a money generator for tabloids.

      Normal doesn’t necessarily mean an absence of money or privilege and nor does it mean abject poverty or living a middle class existence. There are a lot of normals out here. I can’t speak for either brother but so far, based on Harry’s track record, I think what his normal simply means is the socioeconomic life to which he was born and is accustomed to but without all the dirty-pool. Right or wrong but that life—the life of his close associates and the people he’s closely come to know (likely those living way beyond Maslow’s most basic plank)—is probably what he’s after for himself and Archie.

      Where most of us have aspirations of moving up or simply maintaining or holding onto what we already have his aspirations are simply to move sideways. We’re all mostly looking for promotions where he simply wants a lateral move. Perhaps that is what throws people off. 🤷🏽‍♀️

    • Jaded says:

      @Mumbles – so what are Harry and Meghan to do? Give away all their money and become mendicants with begging bowls? He left an unhealthy, moribund and Machiavellian royal family to strike out on his own. He and Meghan plan to do much more philanthropic work than they would have been allowed to do back in the UK but that takes money. It takes staff and travel and lawyers and PR firms, etc. etc. How are they to pay for it? Yes, Harry is wealthy – he inherited a load of money from Diana and I’m sure Charles is helping fund them from the Duchy because he’s part of the reason why they chose to leave. However both he and Meghan will not take a dime of sovereign grant money to fund their so-called “lavish lifestyle”.

    • Still_Sarah says:

      @ Mumbles : ITA. Both Will and Harry seem to have a certain view on what “normal” and that’s fine. But I think their view of normal means growing up as the child of millionaires that don’t have the social obligations that come with being royal. Multiple homes, private schools, many vacations. No shade to them – I’d love to have that life! But I think we need to put an “*” beside the word normal.

      • DarlingDiana says:

        Absolutely, this! These two share an extremely unique upbringing and perspective because of it. Most people would say that a bit of hand waving and people pleasing would be well worth the return that they enjoy. Both of them however bleet on about normalcy when they just want to be regular rich people. Plus both carry on about privacy when both want attention when it suits.
        This comment isn’t about either wife. It is about the brothers and how much alike they actually are which is funny when people are “team” whichever.

      • BabsORIG says:

        IMO, the language being used to express some of these opinions is what makes some posts look just …out there (that’s the best I’ll put it).
        Just because one don’t agree with Harry’s “normal” doesn’t mean he “bleat on about normalcy”.
        I don’t know why some of you are associating “normalcy” with poverty, it’s absolutely crazy, you probably have never lived in poverty. If you asked any beggar or any person living under the poverty line, they would never say they’re living a normal life, what are you all going on and on about? Normal varies with every person’s perception, what you think is normal is not necessarily my normal. For some normal is a life with a partner, with two kids, a dog and a little house with a little white picket fence. For others that’s not necessarily their normal, normal is being able to not marry and/or have kids and not having to constantly explain or apologize for having made those decisions. Harry’s normal is obviously living a life without physical, verbal, emotional or sexual abuse; being able to determine one’s course of life, not having someone make decisions for you even when you are an adult and can actually make those decisions your self. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with Harry wanting to live his “normal” as he perceives it, and there’s absolutely nothing with him wanting the best life has to offer for his son. What keep insulting him because all he has is a high school education? How many wealth successful people are there but are actually high school drop outs? And how many educated people are out there that are living like bums even though they might hold PHDs?
        Living a “normal” life has absolutely nothing to do with living in poverty or one’s education level or anything, y’all need to stop.

      • DarlingDiana says:

        I’m unsure why your comment shows as a response to me. I never said poverty equates to normal or that having a high school diploma made Harry (or anyone) stupid.
        I’m general, I agree with your post. Harry and William should both pursue the lives for themselves and their families that they want. I’m not going to pretend that either has a notion of what is “normal” for 90% of those in Western nations. They do not and it isn’t a fault, it is a fact. Yes, both have talked incessantly about being “normal”. In this article alone, Harry makes it clear that he doesn’t want Archie raised as a royal because it is not “normal”. That is his choice and that is fine but he is clear about it.
        Neither fully wants privacy either. That isn’t a criticism either. It is a fact. They both want the attention of fans and supporters when it suits them and/or their causes. It is why both have enormous capability to raise funds for causes. Harry is depending on those fans continue to follow him to fund his new life and many will. William is depending on fans to support his eventual ascension as King and They will. Neither can achieve their goals without massive of amounts of attention.
        I like following both of them so I am glad that they want attention. I’ll happily give it to them.

      • L4frimaire says:

        BabsOrig makes a lot of good points. There is a lot I disagree with on this thread. There are people equating William and Harry as both wanting “ normal” lives. However, constitutionally, they are not the same. William has his future path set out, as an heir to the throne. Harry is only 6th in line and his role is really less defined and important since William had children. You can’t equate the two. To William, seems like normal to him is not wanting to take on his full responsibility while getting all the accolades. He is given way more privacy and protection than Meghan and Harry ever had. Some people barely remember he has a 3rd child, or insist he justify every expenditure. For Harry, it seems like he doesn’t feel like having his life and marriage being constantly attacked should be part of the job description. There seemed to be a very strong resentment of Harry and Meghan getting press attention, getting sovereign grant or taxpayer funding, doing their job and seeing it as a career, being good at their jobs, and living in Britain. At the same time, there is this outsize expectation that they put their “ duty” to the crown first and foremost above their own well being and personal life. There is no other Royal with these same expectations placed on them. I think some within the Royal households saw their global interest as some sort of power grab, hence the constant hounding. They really are in a unique position. I don’t think what people think they mean by a normal life, but maybe they just want a life on their terms, and it will take some time to figure that out.

      • DarlingDiana says:

        @L4rimarie,
        I think that the upbringing of Harry and William was very similar.
        Whatever the issues between Harry and William don’t really matter anymore as far as their work. Each has his own path to follow and be responsible for and that is for the best. I think that they will both do well. Many want to see one or the other fail and I think that is strange.

  5. Ali says:

    The British media is starving to death and the coronavirus may just finish them off

  6. Cosmo says:

    When will the stupid BM give it up. They don’t have a clue what Harry and Meghan are thinking or doing. They wanted them gone and now that they are they keep hounding them.

  7. S808 says:

    I think it was Harry’s call. I’m probably just thinking about what I would do, but I don’t see Meghan bringing up leaving. I wouldn’t feel like it would be my place to do so as it’s a hard decision to make. Harry seems very attentive to Meghan so I wouldn’t be surprised if he brought it up before she even had a chance to.

  8. KellyRyan says:

    Archie boy is so fortunate. He’ll be raised with zero experience with the BRF and only know of them through history books.

    • Melissa says:

      I believe he will have the best of both worlds. I truly do not believe the family is estranged as we’d like to believe. We see or hear about maybe 10% of their lives through tabloids and photos, these people are still a family and we have literally no idea how they communicate and interact as one.
      For all we know they are video chatting on the daily.

      Master Archie will grow up financially comfortable with access to the best of education, great role models as parents and away from the pressures of the BRF, but will also have those familial ties and the prestige that goes along with being Royal.

      • Bella says:

        I tend to agree, Melissa.

      • Carrie says:

        I am not sure the words prestige and royal go together anymore in the age of SM. People are able to see the family for what they are. Mediocre, power hungry money grubbers.

      • KellyRyan says:

        You could be right, but here comes the but. Harry was used by his brother to build his own image and W never made any effort to counter the media comments against Meghan and Archie. Meghan had physical threats against her. Harry’s been in therapy for several years and a good therspist would state, “If you can’t resolve the issue, it is not good mental health to continue in a toxic relationship.” Possible some limited contact with Chuck, very limited. “Do what makes you happiest,” and he is.

      • Melissa says:

        @Kelly — all of that presumes that we have an intimate knowledge of their relationships. I don’t know that his relationship with Charles is toxic, I can assume that their public relationships are all weirdly skewed by the whole BRF heirarchy BS which has historically been a shit-show, but ultimately we have no clue how they feel on a personal level.

      • MsIam says:

        @Melissa, there are plenty of clues though. Did he have a four hour lunch with his dad like he did the Queen? Did he publicly thank Chuck for support like he did the Queen? And I think she is the one bankrolling them instead of Chuck, who has yet to issue any type of statement in support of his son.

      • Melissa says:

        Except that even their website states they will be funded through the Duchy — clues are just that…crumbs that people will interpret to suit their predisposed opinion of the situation.
        I don’t know who he had lunch with or thanked and neither do you.

        We know by their own words they are funded by Charlie — people banging on about the sovereign grant was only 5% of their income, again by their own words.

        I’m cool with Charlie funding them until they can get paid privately for various stuff, it’s his cash to spend as he will.

        As far as his interpersonal relationships with his family — I personally hope they are repaired and fully functional and supportive and I hope ALL THREE of them have the support and love they deserve.

    • Izzy says:

      He’ll also know of them through the internet, and I doubt his opinion of them will be kind when he sees what they did to his parents.

      • Melissa says:

        His opinion will likely be formed by his experiences and relationships with his various family members rather than interpretations of gossip by total strangers.

  9. Ty says:

    I think they both decided to leave. I think they discussed it in the beginning that they would give it a try. I believe they thought it would be hard, but didn’t realize how horrible it would be. I believe Harry didn’t really realize the extent of racism until he saw what Meghan went through. I think Meghan tried and they both decided to leave. I don’t think it was one or the other.

  10. TeamMeg says:

    I wouldn’t want to live in the same house with Mel Gibson’s cooties. LOL. I’d be concerned about fires, too, after what went down last summer iN Malibu. Sure is a pretty place, tho.

    • Aria says:

      They didnt buy . Tmz and cosmopolitan report it they are not the buyer.

    • lucy2 says:

      Gorgeous setting, but I don’t really like the house. The exterior looks like a fake movie set of a town or something. And it’s a bit rustic for my taste. Plus, Mel Gibson, yuck.
      But the grounds and the pool are nice.

    • Moneypenny says:

      Not sure Mel Gibson has worse cooties than the Royal Family. They’ve done much more evil in the world than Mel has and they were already living with historic royal cooties.

  11. Calibration says:

    I would think a book would be so much more worthwhile money wise than an interview. And if they give away the good stuff in an interview, a book won’t be worth as much.

    But Mel Gibson. Ewwww. Hope they’ve got lots of bleach.

  12. Melissa says:

    I know everything goes through lawyers, realtors etc. but I can’t get the image of Charlie and Mel haggling over a home inspection out of my head. I need more coffee.

  13. Yoyo says:

    What is it with these middle age white women RR, that think they own Harry?
    And that photographer Arthur ?? That carries on like Harry is his son.
    Harry has proven he is his own man and stand up for his family.
    When I look at Harry he has more backbone than his father (that will do anything for a crown) his brother, with his jealousy issues, although he is second in line to the throne, is so scared of Harry and Meghan’s popularity, that he leaked lies about them.
    Poor William all the spotlight is on him and he sounds like his grandfather, dumb.

  14. Valiantly Varnished says:

    Harry has spoken for YEARS about not wanting to be a royal. I think when he married Meghan he was happy to have a partner to share the load with him. But when she began to be bullied by the press and his family he was ready to cut his losses and leave.

    • MellyMel says:

      Thank you! Harry has wanted out for a long time and made no secret of it. It’s like ppl weren’t listening to him at all.

  15. Becks1 says:

    I think it was 100% Harry’s idea to step back from being a working royal. I think Meghan supported the idea but I think Harry was the one to say “this isn’t working anymore.” he has said before that he wanted out, and I think seeing the treatment of Meghan and Archie was his tipping point – plus the fact that he married someone who wasn’t in it for a title and tiara.

  16. Bella says:

    Reading the Jane Goodall bit, I’m not sure it is evidence of any prior intention to leave, or an escape plan. I think it’s simply what we knew already, that Archibald Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor (and please god a sibling – male or female, I don’t care, I’m just desperate now) will be brought up as a private citizen.

    I looked at photos of Mel Gibson’s house (because I’m nosy) and it looks awful. Although the setting is glorious and it’s about the size I would imagine them choosing. It is so funny how upset some are getting about the idea that two very wealthy people might buy a house for $15 million. I mean, seriously.

  17. Em says:

    First off Angela levin needs to shut up, it’s becoming quite tiring and all her protests for Harry to come back won’t work if she keeps painting him as mentally unstable. Secondly for those ignorant comments I see. What Harry simply means Is that he isn’t gonna put his child front and center eg first school run and wave to the public. Ofcourse he will grow up with his family, the saxe family I mean but see those tabloids that have Harry splashed in front nude and drunk. He’s determined that yes Archie would be able to grown up go to clubs with his friends, drink have a normal life not bound by stiff tradition. Like the rest of the non working royals. Ofcourse he’s never gonna be poor. But at least he would try to have a semblance of a normal life.

    • DarlingDiana says:

      I hope that Harry understands that in L.A. his entire family are going to be paparazzi targets. Maybe he has a plan to deal with that but “normalcy” for a former senior royal that the paps used to only have limited access to would seem to be a pipe dream especially in L.A. I think the family would get attention no matter where they lived but L.A. is paparazzi central. I don’t know maybe he thinks that after a short period of time (post covid) the paparazzi will leave them be.

      • Nic919 says:

        Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie managed to live in LA and under the radar so I’m pretty sure Harry and Meghan can do the same in LA as well. The paparazzi laws in California are pretty strong and they won’t have courtiers there to leak things.

      • Marie says:

        They can live in LA and still have privacy. LA is full of celebrities so they will blend in more than say a small town that doesn’t have any celebrities. LA has a bunch of gated communities as well.

      • DarlingDiana says:

        @Nic and @Marie,
        I hope that you two are right. I just think that Harry is such a unique phenomenon that he and his family will get far more notice than even your biggest Hollywood Alister. Whenever any royal has done a trip to L.A. before the paparazzi and “stars” have gone bananas.
        Also, the Jolie-Pitts always had regular photo-ops even with the kids either on red carpets, at airports, or just at toy stores. You can chart the kids evolution from infants to present in public photos. I am not sure that the Sussexs will have Archie as available and that might make him an even more valuable quarry. Does calling him quarry sound awful? Absolutely and I don’t wish that on him (or them).

      • MsIam says:

        It’s not the paps it’s the godd@mn stories that people like Camilla Tominey and Rebecca English write. And how many pictures of Harry and Meghan buying groceries can the paps sell? H&M have no problem being photographed, it’s the lies written about them and the way everything is slanted that is causing the problem. Not saying that it won’t be bad here as long as there is trash like the Enquirer but they don’t have the clout in the US.

      • DarlingDiana says:

        @MsIam,
        I think the the paparazzi can sell endless pics of the Sussexs buying groceries, running errands, and any number of mundane tasks. They sell pictures of Jen Garner on the school run or at the farmer’s market everyday! May be that you are correct and They won’t care.
        As far as what people write about them, I don’t even know. The UK press will likely always be *curse word*’s but I think the U.S. entertainment writers will write favorably about them. As they likely will not be in the UK much, I do not think they care anymore who writes what or I hope that they do not.

  18. emmy says:

    Oh God, don’t do an interview. At least not now. There is nothing they can say to convince the naysayers. Just do your thing, raise your kid, and save the interview for a few years down the road. Obviously on a gossip level I would love to see that interview but it seems like a bad idea if it’s even being discussed. Which I doubt.

    • MsIam says:

      Considering that there are several books being planned about Sussexeit and all that went down, why shouldn’t Harry and Meghan give an interview? Why is everyone so quick to put a muzzle on them but every so called “royal reporter” and “royal expert” gets to spout off endlessly? Why do they have to wait several years down the road to say anything? That sounds like that “never complain, never explain” bullsh!t that people always want to throw on H&M but somehow none of the other royals are bound to it.

      • emmy says:

        Remember the Africa doc? Yeah, people still managed to twist it into Harry being unstable and Meghan being naive. Again, they won’t gain anything right now. Where is the upside for them? I’m really asking because your argument seems to be that they should defend themselves. We’ve seen how that turned out. It would turn into an endless ping pong game.

      • MsIam says:

        The only people who twisted it were the Royal Rota. And the ”interview” lasted what three minutes out of a forty minute documentary? It was not a full sit down interview. I think if H&M find someone they trust they should do it.

    • DarlingDiana says:

      I don’t think that they will do it, or can even, until they are financially independent. When I say “it”, I mean the sort of interview that people are assuming will drag his family. Of course if they want to do an interview focused on their family, I’m sure that they can but if they want privacy, why would they?

      • Dilettante says:

        This, and @Emmy +1

      • MsIam says:

        Who said they will “drag the family”? If they tell their side about what happened and people look bad then so be it. But I think out of respect for the queen they will hold off for a while. Let her maintain the delusion that they are still a “family”.

      • Melissa says:

        Let’s be honest — how interested are any of us in an ‘interview’ that doesn’t include dragging the BRF? Don’t get me wrong, I know they have plans for a charitable organization that focuses on global initiatives and will likely have large pocket donors and yes, I am waiting for them to launch.

        As far as a sit down in-depth interview…I would be tuning in for the unsaid innuendo, the subtle shade, the meat of who’s who behind closed doors. Absent the juicy morsels, I’m not sure how much time I would devote. When was the last time you watched a telethon for charity?

      • DarlingDiana says:

        MsIam,
        “Telling their side” is not something that I need to see. It sounds very needy and juvenile. They are both successful, mature adults. I expect that they will continue to behave as such. There is nothing to be gained by airing dirty laundry by either side. I would lose respect for anyone that did that.

  19. Lowrider says:

    Archie will grow up like the Tindall and Phillips kids. Rich and privileged but no title or royal headaches. Eugenie and Beatrice’s kids will grow up the same way.

    Not sure what the issue is here.

  20. MeghanNotMarkle says:

    Good. I hope Archie has as normal a life as is possible with his parents’ profile. May he grow up to appreciate hard work and selflessness, as well as understand his privilege and how he can use it to serve others. That’s the best thing Harry and Meghan could do for him.

  21. ABritGuest says:

    The press has had Meghan especially doing interviews for a while now. Guess we’ll see this one around same time as Doria’s with Oprah.

    I think Harry wanted Archie modelled after Zara&Peter. Working royal parent(s) but kids not really part of royal public life but seen at Trooping& Christmas like all the Queen’s grandkids, great grandkids.

    I also think the invasive Markle Snr coverage& all the public funding= we own you stuff around Archie’s birth& christening plus maybe concerns around finances in the future if there are still family rifts, is why they wanted to do part time duties& be able to make their own money. Their website said they wanted not to get public funding and therefore remove public interest argument which is defence Fail is using for publishing Meghan’s letter. I think they would still be doing royal duties if the Queen had allowed this model despite Harry’s dislike of some aspects of royal life.

    • L4frimaire says:

      @BritGuest, Totally agree with this. It’s not that much more complicated.They liked representing the Queen and did it very well, and brought so much to the table. They had enough of the nasty smears and lies, and didn’t want to live or work under those conditions. Whatever work they so will tie into their past endeavors. Also, they still have their court case coming up soon as well , no way are they blabbing to anyone for money. These magazines make Oprah into their fairy godmother.

    • DarlingDiana says:

      On the plus side for the Sussexs being forced to be completely in or completely out really will benefit them in the end. There won’t be any negotiating with the courtiers which made them very unhappy. Also, they will be no reason for them to suspect that any person in the family is leaking their business because they simply won’t tell the family their business. Archie can’t be required to do any appearances like Trooping of the Colour nor can they.
      I can see why being half in and half out would appeal, especially to Harry, becomes royal duties is the only life that he has known. I think that he will find that as a private individual he can do as much charity work as he likes and it will be thoroughly covered by the press. In the end, I think a clean break will give him more peace of mind than having to deal, in any way, with something that made him so unhappy.

  22. TheOriginalMia says:

    I fully believe it was Harry’s idea to leave. This comment from Jane Goodall just confirms what has been said before about Harry. The racism and abuse heaped on Meghan were just the impetus Harry needed to get out now rather than later. I fully believe Meghan would have stayed and supported the Queen and BRF, in spite of the mental anguish, but Harry saw it was never going to end, there was never going to be a let up, and there was never going to be any support from his family. I’ll admit I didn’t think it would happen. I thought they’d stay because Harry was loyal to his grandmother and father, but I was thankfully wrong. Harry realized the truth. His wife and child are his family. They come before all others.

    As for the house, the Sun has their insider, so it could be true. It fits what I thought they’d buy: secluded, moderately sized place (5 bdr is not a lot compared to the mansions in Malibu).

    • Yoyo says:

      It’s not true about Mel’s, you forgot that Megan and Harry are private citizens now.
      And they stated no one at BP, KP, CH or Royal sources speak for them.

      • TheOriginalMia says:

        I haven’t forgotten anything. I’m just speculating that would be the type of home I could see them in.

    • L4frimaire says:

      Press already saying that they haven’t bought this house. When they do buy a house, it will not be through some realtor who can’t keep their mouth shut. The tabloids are probably combing through celebrity real estate listings, and assuming the Sussexes are looking at them. I have a realtor friend, and the only thing he’s doing now are virtual tours, and he deals with $1mil+ properties. Lots of houses change hands that are never publicly listed or have the buyers actual names on it. Doubt they’re just phoning up Sotheby’s Int’l and having some flunky show them around who’ll call TMZ afterwards.

  23. L4frimaire says:

    Wondering if the Goodall comment is taken a bit out of context in light of them stepping back. It doesn’t indicate anything other then what was said, especially since Archie is not titled. Also, don’t get all this rampant speculation on their plans. The press and the public who are interested in this was expecting them to be much more visible and vocal than they are, and seem to be looking for content that doesn’t exist. The pandemic and lockdown put the brakes on that and they don’t seem to mind. As for tell all interviews and house tours, really? They are still part of the Royal family and it doesn’t benefit them at this time, especially as they are trying to launch their foundation. Remember before Meghan’s Vogue issue dropped, speculation was she was going to be in some big cover spread shot at Frogmore with pictures of the house and Archie. Didn’t exactly happen that way. People always expect the least from these two, and then are surprised and even angry when they do so much more, or defy expectations. If they bought or are buying a house, they can do it privately off the market through a trust. Besides, who would buy now when real estate prices will be affected by this pandemic. I just find these rags way out there. Not once did any of these rags say they contacted the Sussexes team for comment. They clearly stated that they won’t be visible but the work will continue. There is a whole working Royal family in U.K., but these are the ones still being written about, and we haven’t seen them since Commonwealth day last month. Even the New Yorker is writing about them now. It’s getting old.

    • Yoyo says:

      I remembered about Vogue and the BM saying Meghan was going to be on the cover and show Frogmore Cottage.
      They was no way in hell they were going to show Frogmore Cottage, to get criticized for not living under a rock.
      The BM is always lying and then turn around and blame M & H when their lies leave egg on their faces.
      Another thing Meghan is going to get blame for is Harry, dropping Wales and Mountbatten-Windsor when they filed for copyright/patents.
      Now if Meghan would drop Markle that would be icing on the cake.

  24. February Pisces says:

    I’m kind of sick of the speculation over who’s idea it was to leave. They are a married couple and most likely discussed it and made a decision together.

    • Melissa says:

      I couldn’t agree more – this was not a decision taken lightly or unilaterally. I believe it was discussed before they ever planned a wedding, not as a plan, but as an eventuality if the worst played out…which it did. I will never think this was anything beyond a team effort.

    • Le4Frimaire says:

      We know why they left. It was so obvious they were miserable and stressed out. When Meghan went on maternity leave before the birth, there was just story after crazy stories on Meghan, every day, and she wasn’t even visible. They were going crazy on them over the christening, their summer plans, everything. Nothing they did satisfied the press. Despite the recent dumb articles, the frenzy has died down in the U.K. and the stories blow over quicker now. Even during their final royal events last month, the press seemed to matter less to them and their bs was shut down quicker. Also the crappy behavior of the rest of the Royals showed nothing would change if they went back there.This was the right decision for them. Honestly, if all they do are a few low key things for the rest of the year, write a book or two, that’s fine with me. They aren’t going to rule the world and the only impact they need to make is on those causes and projects near and dear to them.

  25. Awkward symphony says:

    Thanks Kaiser for writing this. BM wants to blame Meghan for Harry’s decision to distance himself from the toxic environment she grew up in and are still printing lies about Meghan controlling Harry’s actions 😠
    There are endless footage and interviews available online where he clearly states his wishes to leave PRE-MEGHAN.

    I dont believe the lie about them buying mel Gibson house as it seems like a publicity stunt by the real estate agent to market her company+we’ve gotten so many similar fake theories of them picking Hampton or another Malibu place

  26. val says:

    Please, people are choosing to be ignorant here. No one is saying that Archie will not live a privileged life. Harry is simply saying that Archie will not be raised to think that his s*ht does not stink and that he was born from special unicorn blood. If he has siblings, they will be equal and not taught that one is more important than the other.
    The world is not equal, some will have more than others, and that is life. It is how the child is raised that makes the difference. I was raised with access to a lot of things, but my parents taught me compassion and humility. Geez!

  27. ABritGuest says:

    i think normal for William& Harry is having lives like their friends without as much press attention. Sure they want press attention on their projects but let’s be real, the press focus way more on the gossip than what eg the charity they are visiting does.

    Plus I think Uk media overreach in their royal coverage which is why they think it was normal to have minute by minute news coverage of progress of Kate’s births& why they were upset about delayed info on when Meghan had given birth. Are they like this with other monarchies? They definitely aren’t like this with politician’s kids here. Even though Tony Blair had a baby in office I couldn’t pick his lastborn out of a line up. The press seem to respect Boris Johnson not being drawn on how many kids he has.

    I think because they are Diana’s sons there may be an unhealthy obsession with William& Harry & guessing it’s the invasions of privacy Harry has endured like phone hacking when him& Chelsy were teens is what he wishes to avoid for Archie. Or things like having to end army mission early because of a press leak.

    • MsIam says:

      Or Archie being able to do what he likes without a set of expectations on him from birth.

  28. blunt talker says:

    I agree with a lot of statements stated above. Harry wants his children to be raised normally than in an abnormal environment. Who wants one child (the eldest) controlling the other siblings in a demanding and bossy way for their entire lives. Archie will be raised in an comfortable environment without expectations placed on him to perform royal protocol. People say what they want-when Archie was given no title at birth because his father mainly declined one for him-I knew Meghan and Harry were deciding their child’s future and how his upbringing would be done. His life and any other children they have will have lives similar to the Obamas’ girls. Having wealth through their parents-good education-but no demands on their daily lives to be and act royal. Harry once said in an interview-people really don’t know him/they just think they do. I’ll take him at his word on this based on the things that has happened in the last 3 years. He does not want his children raised as props for the media or the royal family. Ms. Goodall statement confirms my suspicions about Harry.

  29. whatIthink says:

    I believe Jane Goodall. I love this woman.