cambridgesandsussex

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The best thing about all of this is that Archie will never know the royal life, he’ll never know what it feels like to live in a place, to be exposed to the press 24/7. He’ll have the best, normal childhood growing up in Canada or USA, with loving parents, dogs and perhaps a sibling. He’ll never go through what his father had to go through

Ultimately his parents will want him to have all the good things and lessons learnt from their childhoods plus more - and I have no doubt that will be their aim! To have his happiness as their greatest aim 💜

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The Duke of Sussex hosts the Rugby League World Cup 2021 draws for the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments at Buckingham Palace. || January 16th, 2020

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Thank you everyone for all your lovely messages on The Duchess of Cambridge’s birthday! // Photo by Matt Porteous

Kensington Palace released a new official picture marking The Duchess of Cambridge’s 38th birthday today! || Janaury 9th, 2020

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Hey! In the wake of the Sussex announcement, I've been seeing a lot of people around the internet claiming that the Queen, Charles, William, Kate, et al. didn't do enough to support Meghan in the face of tabloid abuse. Do you think that's true? (Apologies if you've answered this question already -- I went back through 15 pages of posts in the Meghan tag but didn't see anything.) Thank you!

I appreciate that you searched!! I don’t think I’ve answered this question before, partly because I try to separate public and private and partly because I didn’t feel like the drama lol. None of us know what happened privately. Publicly they did make some attempts to support them through gestures rather than explicit statements. A lot of these people don’t seem to remember that they themselves were celebrating the fact Meghan got a solo engagement with the Queen quicker than Kate, that she got handed patronages by the Queen earlier than Kate, that she was made VP of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust. They celebrated what they perceived as Meghan being the favourite. There were lukewarm attempts throughout: Kate and Meghan going to Wimbledon together and seeming very friendly at Christmas in 2018, William continuing to name drop them in speeches about Shout even though it doesn’t have a formal connection to them any more, the Queen letting them have their offices in BP, the Queen and Philip featuring in a very informal photo (for them) with Archie and Doria etc. So what the question then becomes, I guess, is are those gestures enough or was more/an explicit public statement needed? I would look at that on two levels. The first is morally. Morally I would say that yes, there is more they could have done. Not for Harry particularly- he burned his bridges long ago- but for Meghan and Archie certainly. They should have been quicker to act with their Community Standards. William definitely could have used the task force he’s involved in as a jumping off point for showing public support. The Queen could have scheduled in another joint engagement with Meghan. Ultimately the decision as to whether it was morally enough is down to Meghan, not us, but in my opinion there is more they could have done. The other level is pragmatic. The monarchy is in a constant state of uncertainty. They exist as long as we allow them to so PR and image is crucial. And while it’s brutal, if I was their head of PR I wouldn’t advise anyone to have released an official statement as it wouldn’t have helped (none of the above gestures did anything to help so an official statement wouldn’t, the tinhats can twist anything to blame Meghan and absolve everyone else) and it could have damaged my clients’ image. PR is not about morality, it’s ruthlessly realistic and the reality is that if my job is to make them look good I would not advise them to have released a public statement about it. But I would still say on a pragmatic level that they could have done things differently. They didn’t necessarily need to issue a statement saying “we support this decision” in order to have done things in a more supportive way. 

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Breaking: Harry and Meghan to step back from royal duties

– Rebecca English

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HAPPY 38TH BIRTHDAY TO HRH THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE || born on January 9th 1982, Catherine Elizabeth Middleton has gone from being the eldest of three children to being a mother of three children, married to the heir of the heir and the future queen

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Welcome to Sussex Royal, the source for factual information and details relating to the works and structure of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. We are so pleased to have you as part of this community. In this section, you will find answers and clarification to questions that have come to the forefront in recent years. Many of you may be familiar with these policies, but for those of you who are not, we hope this page sheds some light on what can sometimes be misreported or quite confusing.

In 2020, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have made the choice to transition into a new working model. As they step back as senior members of the Royal Family and no longer receive funding through the Sovereign Grant, they will become members of the Royal Family with financial independence which is something they look forward to. As The Duke and Duchess of Sussex prepare to make this change, the answers to the following questions aim to provide clarity on existing and future funding arrangements.

Why are The Duke and Duchess of Sussex choosing this new working model?

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex take great pride in their work and are committed to continuing their charitable endeavours as well as establishing new ones. In addition, they value the ability to earn a professional income, which in the current structure they are prohibited from doing. For this reason they have made the choice to become members of the Royal Family with financial independence. Their Royal Highnesses feel this new approach will enable them to continue to carry out their duties for Her Majesty The Queen, while having the future financial autonomy to work externally. While the contribution from The Sovereign Grant covers just five percent of costs for The Duke and Duchess and is specifically used for their official office expense, Their Royal Highnesses prefer to release this financial tie. More details on the specifics of the Sovereign Grant are outlined below.

What is the Sovereign Grant?

The Sovereign Grant is the annual funding mechanism of the monarchy that covers the work of the Royal Family in support of HM The Queen including expenses to maintain official residences and workspaces. In this exchange, The Queen surrenders the revenue of the Crown Estate and in return, a portion of these public funds are granted to The Sovereign/The Queen for official expenditure. This is outlined in the 2018-19 Annual Report of the Sovereign Grant which is linked below. Please note, this structure replaced The Civil List in 2012. More details on this can be found on The United Kingdom’s public sector information website: gov.uk

Do any other members of the Royal Family hold a title and earn an income?

Yes, there is precedent for this structure and applies to other current members of the Royal Family who support the monarch and also have full time jobs external to their commitment to the monarchy.

Do The Duke and Duchess of Sussex earn income?

No, under the current structure and financing arrangements, they are prohibited from earning any income in any form.

Do The Duke and Duchess of Sussex benefit financially from their charitable and cause-driven work?

No, see above.

By becoming financially independent, will The Duke and Duchess of Sussex be cutting ties with the monarchy?

As working members of the Royal Family, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain dedicated to maximising Her Majesty’s legacy both in the UK and throughout the Commonwealth. They will continue to proudly do so by supporting their patronages and carrying out works for The Monarchy within the UK or abroad, as called upon.

Have The Duke and Duchess of Sussex benefited from public funding and tax benefits as members of the Royal Family?

Five percent of the funding for their official office was provided through the Sovereign Grant starting in 2019 (more details on Sovereign Grant below). Public funding has never been used, nor would it ever be used for private expenditure by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who also do not receive any tax privileges.

How has the Office of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex been funded up to now?

Since the establishment of The Office of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, 95 percent of the funding received for their Office expenditure is derived from income allocated by HRH The Prince of Wales, generated through the Duchy of Cornwall. This provision has been in place since Prince William and Prince Harry first established their offices in support of The Queen, and is the responsibility of The Prince of Wales. This information continues to be available on The Duchy of Cornwall website.

Where does the other five percent come from?

As described above, the remaining five percent of funding for the Office of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, covering costs associated with employing members of their official office, is received through the Sovereign Grant. During the course of 2020, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have made the choice to step back as senior members of the Royal Family and no longer receive funding through the Sovereign Grant, thereby making them members of the Royal Family with financial independence. This phased approach will take time to transition in consultation with other senior members of the Royal Family, but Their Royal Highnesses are hopeful that this change is in the best interest for all and look forward to carrying out their duties to the monarch as well as their charitable work with financial autonomy.

How does the Sovereign Grant exchange work?

In the 2018-2019 fiscal report, Her Majesty The Queen surrendered approximately £329 million from the Crown Estate to the government. In exchange for this contribution, in return, the government granted the sovereign approximately £82 million to cover the costs for official expenditure. This constitutes the Sovereign Grant. Further detail as stated on gov.uk can be found below:

“The Sovereign Grant Act 2011 came into effect on 1 April 2012. It sets the single grant supporting the monarch’s official business, enabling The Queen to discharge her duties as Head of State. It meets the central staff costs and running expenses of Her Majesty’s official household – such things as official receptions, investitures, garden parties and so on. It also covers maintenance of the Royal Palaces in England and the cost of travel to carry out royal engagements such as opening buildings and other royal visits.”

“In exchange for this public support, The Queen surrenders the revenue from The Crown Estate to the government which for 2017-18 was £329.4 million. The Sovereign Grant for 2019-20 is £82.4 million which is 25% of £329.4 million.”

“It was announced in November 2019 that the Sovereign Grant for 2020-21 will be £85.9 million. This is 25% of The Crown Estate’s revenue surplus in 2018-19 which was £343.5 million.”

It is worth noting that an annual grant of approximately £30 million has been added to the above figure for the 10 year re-servicing plan of Buckingham Palace, bringing the sum to £85.9 million. The below graphic helps to further explain this exchange. For clarity, in the graphic sourced from The BBC, “HM” refers to “Her Majesty.”

A graphic showing the sovereign grant funding mechanism and the flow of resources from The Crown Estate into the public purse

IMAGE CREDIT: BBC

How much does The British Royal Family cost each UK taxpayer?

The contribution from UK taxpayers towards the full overhead of the British Monarchy is equivalent to approximately £1 per head per year.

What is the return on the investment for this funding mechanism?

The British Royal Family generates an estimated £1.8 billion a year in tourism revenues for The United Kingdom.

How was the Official Residence of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (Frogmore Cottage) funded?

The refurbishment of Frogmore Cottage, the Grade-2 listed building in Windsor Home Park was funded by Her Majesty The Queen through the Sovereign Grant, reflecting the Monarchy’s responsibility to maintain the upkeep of buildings with historical significance (see above). Expenses related to fixtures, furnishings, and fittings at the official residence – which is owned by Her Majesty the Queen – were funded privately by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. As stated on The Official UK Government website: “The occupied Royal Palaces are held in trust for the nation by The Queen as Sovereign. Their maintenance and upkeep is one of the expenses met by the government in return for the surrender by the Sovereign of the hereditary revenues of the Crown (mainly the profit from the Crown Estate). The Sovereign Grant will allow the Royal Household to set its own priorities and thus generate economies. The occupied Royal Palaces are: Buckingham Palace, St James’s Palace, the residential and office areas of Kensington Palace, the Royal Mews and Royal Paddocks at Hampton Court, Windsor Castle and buildings in the Home and Great Parks at Windsor.”

Why did The Duke and Duchess move to Windsor as their Official Residence?

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex chose to move to Windsor for various reasons. Their previous residence of Nottingham Cottage on the grounds of Kensington Palace could not accommodate their growing family. The option of Apartment 1 in Kensington Palace was estimated to cost in excess of £4 million for mandated renovations including the removal of asbestos (see details above on the Monarchy’s responsibility for this upkeep). This residence would not have been available for them to occupy until the fourth quarter of 2020. As a result, Her Majesty The Queen offered The Duke and Duchess the use of Frogmore Cottage, which was already undergoing mandated renovations, and would be available to move in before the birth of their son. The refurbishment cost equated to 50 percent of the originally suggested property for their proposed official residence at Kensington Palace. It is for these reasons, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex chose Frogmore Cottage as their Official Residence.

Given their transition into members of the Royal Family with financial independence, will The Duke and Duchess of Sussex maintain their residence at Frogmore Cottage?

Frogmore Cottage will continue to be the property of Her Majesty the Queen. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will continue to use Frogmore Cottage – with the permission of Her Majesty The Queen – as their official residence as they continue to support the Monarchy, and so that their family will always have a place to call home in the United Kingdom.

Does their future financial autonomy extend to covering the costs of travel?

All travel arrangements undertaken by The Duke and Duchess in their private time have always been and will continue to be paid for privately and not by UK taxpayers. With their transition to becoming members of the Royal Family with financial independence this will continue to be the case. Wherever possible and unless advised otherwise on security grounds, their logistical arrangements are undertaken via commercial air carriers, local trains and fuel-efficient vehicles, be it for official or personal travel.

Why do they carry out official overseas visits and who pays for it?

The Duke and Duchess proudly carry out official overseas visits in support of Her Majesty The Queen at the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), as is the case for all members of the Royal Family. The length and location of these tours are determined by the FCO and the Royal Visits Committee. All Official overseas visits are in support of Her Majesty’s Government’s objectives and paid for by The Sovereign Grant as well as contributions from the host country, when appropriate.

Does their future financial autonomy extend to covering the costs of security?

The provision of armed security by The Metropolitan Police is mandated by the Home Office, a ministerial department of Her Majesty’s Government, responsible for security and law & order. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are classified as internationally protected people which mandates this level of security. As stated on gov.uk, “No breakdown of security costs is available as disclosure of such information could compromise the integrity of these arrangements and affect the security of the individuals protected. It is long established policy not to comment upon the protective security arrangements and their related costs for members of the Royal Family or their residences.”

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I understand but also I don’t. I respect their decision because if they think it’s good for them I can’t complain. I just saw so much in the future for them. I guess it all makes sense because of the break and their visit to The Hubb and Canada House yesterday. I’m just in shock. Just a couple days ago I thought “H & M will come back and we’ll see a slew of engagements for patronage’s and it will be great”. I wish them all the best but in complete honesty I don’t think this will stop the negative press they get.

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*me working on a BAFTA styling for kate and then posting not knowing it was gonna be in the midst of chaos*

[cambridgesandsussex]

“Welcome to Sussex Royal, the source for factual information and details relating to the works and structure of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. We are so pleased to have you as part of this community. In this section, you will find answers and clarification to questions that have come to the forefront in recent years. Many of you may be familiar with these policies, but for those of you who are not, we hope this page sheds some light on what can sometimes be misreported or quite confusing. In 2020, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have made the choice to transition into a new working model. As they step back as senior members of the Royal Family and no longer receive funding through the Sovereign Grant, they will become members of the Royal Family with financial independence which is something they look forward to. As The Duke and Duchess of Sussex prepare to make this change, the answers to the following questions aim to provide clarity on existing and future funding arrangements. — Why are The Duke and Duchess of Sussex choosing this new working model? The Duke and Duchess of Sussex take great pride in their work and are committed to continuing their charitable endeavours as well as establishing new ones. In addition, they value the ability to earn a professional income, which in the current structure they are prohibited from doing. For this reason they have made the choice to become members of the Royal Family with financial independence. Their Royal Highnesses feel this new approach will enable them to continue to carry out their duties for Her Majesty The Queen, while having the future financial autonomy to work externally. While the contribution from The Sovereign Grant covers just five percent of costs for The Duke and Duchess and is specifically used for their official office expense, Their Royal Highnesses prefer to release this financial tie. More details on the specifics of the Sovereign Grant are outlined below. — What is the Sovereign Grant? The Sovereign Grant is the annual funding mechanism of the monarchy that covers the work of the Royal Family in support of HM The Queen including expenses to maintain official residences and workspaces. In this exchange, The Queen surrenders the revenue of the Crown Estate and in return, a portion of these public funds are granted to The Sovereign/The Queen for official expenditure. This is outlined in the 2018-19 Annual Report of the Sovereign Grant which is linked below. Please note, this structure replaced The Civil List in 2012. More details on this can be found on The United Kingdom’s public sector information website: gov.uk — Do any other members of the Royal Family hold a title and earn an income? Yes, there is precedent for this structure and applies to other current members of the Royal Family who support the monarch and also have full time jobs external to their commitment to the monarchy.”

— SussexRoyal

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Wait what?

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Favorite looks of 2019 from the Duchess of Cambridge

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Harry and Meghan are changing which media they deal with and how they deal with them

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I don’t even want to imagine how Meghan must feel right know. Sure, free.  But.. Everything she endured. Giving up her career and her freedom. The never ending onslaught inflicted on the sweetest person ever, and at her most vulnerable time. The racism. The bullying. everything. For that.

This goes for Harry, too. I can’t imagine what he must feel, the royal family, and working for it, had been a part of who he was until now. How bad it must have gotten for him to take that decision.

I mean, imagine him a year and a half ago. He must have known it wasn’t going to be easy, but still, if they got married in a royal wedding and started working as senior royals, he must have had so much hope. Of Meghan thriving in this life, because, of course, she was going to thrive. (and in spite of everything thrown at her, in spite of the unfairness, she did) Of continuing what he’s always done, what he’s passionate about, but with the love of his life by his side, and a family.

And instead, he exposed his wife to never-ending racism, biased press, biased staff, awful family. 

And know he knows that exposing Meghan to all the nasty stuff and people, her leaving her job and career for him was for nothing. A waste.

I just wish them so much strengh, as individuals and as a couple too. imagine going through that as a couple? A just married couple with so much pressure and every eyes on you. And a little baby to raise on top of it all.

I don’t think this is all that coherent and I can barely write 3 words in English right now but that’s all I’ve got

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What the hell are we going to do, Sussex friends?  I’ve been in this thing for Harry and his wife and child for so long, before they even existed and now I just feel…………. lost, and very, very sad

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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend Sunday Service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate in King’s Lynn, England -January 5th 2020.