Royal Family Matters

Harry and Meghan show off baby Archie to the delighted grandparents.
He was born on May 6, 2019, and is seventh in line to the Throne.

Far too much has been written by far too many people about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in recent weeks, and I will not add to the ghastly hurly-burly of opinions here.  But if anyone cares to read today's statement from the Queen herself - a very wise and loving statement, it seems to me, that speaks volumes - here it is, from the official website of the British Monarchy:

Published 18 January 2020

Statement from HM The Queen.

Following many months of conversations and more recent discussions, I am pleased that together we have found a constructive and supportive way forward for my grandson and his family.

Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family.

I recognise the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life.

I want to thank them for all their dedicated work across this country, the Commonwealth and beyond, and am particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of the family.

It is my whole family’s hope that today’s agreement allows them to start building a happy and peaceful new life.

A clarifying follow-up was included:

Statement from Buckingham Palace

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are grateful to Her Majesty and the Royal Family for their ongoing support as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.

As agreed in this new arrangement, they understand that they are required to step back from Royal duties, including official military appointments. They will no longer receive public funds for Royal duties.

With The Queen’s blessing, the Sussexes will continue to maintain their private patronages and associations. While they can no longer formally represent The Queen, the Sussexes have made clear that everything they do will continue to uphold the values of Her Majesty.

The Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have shared their wish to repay Sovereign Grant expenditure for the refurbishment of Frogmore Cottage, which will remain their UK family home.

Buckingham Palace does not comment on the details of security arrangements. There are well established independent processes to determine the need for publicly-funded security.

This new model will take effect in the Spring of 2020.

So Harry and Meghan are going to live their lives differently from now on, they won't be doing it on the taxpayers' dime, and the Queen approves.  It's a personal decision, and a family matter, and now it is resolved, apparently to the satisfaction of all concerned.  What more is there to say than that? I wish them well.

American Princess

Your Head Trucker has paid no attention to the royal wedding preparations and speculations these last six months - I've had other things on my mind - but for the record, here are a few snapshots.

It's not every American girl who grows up to be a real princess, but this one did, and how:

Embed from Getty Images


The bride wore Givenchy, a perfection of elegant simplicity, topped with a sleekly chic antique tiara:

Embed from Getty Images


Prince Harry lost no time staking his claim to a little piece of America, which I suppose no one will mind:

Embed from Getty Images


And then they were off - actually, just around the block to the other side of Windsor Castle for the first reception of the day:

Embed from Getty Images


The relatives waved from the side door of the church:

Embed from Getty Images


The Queen was in good form with a chartreuse coat and hat, one of her favorite colors, I'm told, and a magnificent diamond brooch that would choke a horse:

Embed from Getty Images


The parents were pleased and proud, just as you would expect:

Embed from Getty Images


Well, that's all the snaps I took before I ran out of film. But in case anyone missed the festivities, the whole thing - without a single babbling word of commentary - can be seen at the official Royal Family channel:

The Order of Service can be downloaded from the British Monarchy website here.