Harry and Meghan accused of ‘wanting to have their cake and eat it’

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been accused of “wanting to have their cake and eat it” after providing details of what their financial arrangements will be as they “step back” from their positions as senior royals.

Harry and Meghan’s announcement took many by surprise – with reports suggesting that the Queen was “disappointed” and had not been consulted about their decision.

On a new Sussex Royal website, the couple say they are planning to become financially independent as they “value the ability to earn a professional income” – something they are not currently allowed to do.

Although this means they will no longer be able to use the Sovereign Grant, which funds 5% of their costs, they will still be able to receive income allocated by the Prince of Wales through his private Duchy of Cornwall estate.

The couple also plan to continue living at Frogmore Cottage, a four-bedroom property on the grounds of Windsor Castle where a controversial £2.4m refurbishment at taxpayers’ expense was completed just nine months ago.

The Grade 2 listed building is owned by the Queen, and the Sussexes say they have sought permission to continue using the property as a base while they split their time between the UK and North America.

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Any future roles that Harry and Meghan take on for financial gain are likely to attract scrutiny to ensure they cannot be accused of profiteering from their position as members of the monarchy.

Their plans for financial autonomy are not going to extend to covering the costs of security. Because Harry and Meghan are deemed “internationally protected people” by the Home Office, they require constant armed security from the Metropolitan Police.

The Sussexes said this arrangement will continue, but added that they cannot provide a breakdown of costs because the government says this “could compromise the integrity of these arrangements and affect the security of the individual protected”.

Harry and Meghan’s pursuit of independence could also extend to travel, as the young family are planning to travel on commercial flights, trains and fuel-efficient vehicles for private and official travel “unless advised otherwise on security grounds”.

Despite relinquishing their role as senior royals, the Sussexes say they will continue to “proudly carry out official overseas visits” in support of the Queen and at the request of the Foreign Office.

Tours carried out in support of the government will be paid for by the Sovereign Grant – and, when appropriate, contributions from the host country.

Critics of the Royal Family have claimed that Harry and Meghan’s arrangements are a case of “wanting to have your cake and eat it”.

A spokesman for Republic, an organisation which campaigns for an elected head of state, said: “They have said they will dip in and out of royal duties as it suits them but won’t stop taking public money until they find other sources of income.

“To suggest that they’re not already financially independent is incredibly crass and belies a sense of self-entitlement and a lack of self-awareness that is common among royals.

“What should be more concerning is that the Royal Family’s star couple have effectively bowed out of their leading role, and that raises questions about the monarchy’s future.”

Sweeping changes in their finances are also being matched by a seismic shift in their relationship with the media.

Harry and Meghan are no longer going to take part in the royal rota system, which has been running for more than 40 years.

This system has been used to give British newspapers and broadcasters access to cover royal events, on the basis that they will share facts and pictures with other members of the media.

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Opting out will likely give the couple scope to share information and pictures on their own terms through the Sussex Royal website and their social media pages, which are followed by millions.

Although the duke and duchess say they believe in a “free, strong and open media industry” – and “welcome accurate and honest media reporting as well as being held to account” – the pair stressed that they value their privacy.

The Sussexes used their website to criticise royal correspondents – saying that they are “regarded internationally as credible sources of both the work of members of the Royal Family as well as of their private lives”.

The couple added: “This misconception propels coverage that is often carried by other outlets around the world, amplifying frequent misreporting.

“Regrettably, stories that may have been filed accurately by royal correspondents are also often edited or rewritten by media editorial teams to present false impressions.”

Harry and Meghan’s new media policy will see the couple work with up-and-coming journalists as well as grassroots media organisations – with “specialist media” set to be invited to specific events to “give greater access to their cause-driven activities”.

Their decision to focus on providing access to “credible media outlets focused on ‘objective news reporting’ for key moments and events” could mean some of the UK’s main media organisations do not receive invites.

Harry’s relationship with the press has been a complicated and difficult one – not least because of the overwhelming media intrusion into the life of his late mother, Diana.

Buckingham Palace has warned Harry and Meghan that their decision to step back from the Royal Family will be “complicated” – and stressed that discussions on future arrangements are still at an early stage.

Harry and Meghan’s move follows weeks of speculation about their future – fuelled by how they took an extended break from royal duties over the festive period.

Some royal commentators have suggested that their announcement, coupled with the Jeffrey Epstein sex scandal that has engulfed the Duke of York, could amount to a full-blown crisis for the monarchy.

Downing Street has refused to be drawn on what Boris Johnson thinks of the couple’s decision – with a spokesman for the prime minister insisting it is a matter for the royal household.

(c) Sky News 2020: Harry and Meghan accused of ‘wanting to have their cake and eat it’