The largely negative response to the Duke & Duchess of Sussex’ apparently unilateral retirement from ‘senior’ royal duties portrays a society with unreasonable expectation.
Certainly Prince Harry led an advantaged upbringing in some areas but what could any expect him to do about that? He was a child. He then set off into an intermediate military career completing two tours of duty in Afghanistan. Few could suggest that may not be paying his own way. Gaining a deal of popularity through this time and at and during his marriage he became what could be called an ambassador at large for Britain, the Commonwealth and for the monarchy.
Prince Harry has paid his way.
He now simply wishes that his family forge their own way. He would be vigilant to ensure conditions are right for a healthy and happy upbringing for his children. Perhaps, accordingly, he would be equally vigilant to ensure his marriage lasts. These are things which would have been brought into focus by his mother’s experience and death.
Where do any get off, thinking they have a right to demand more of a young family?
The Sussex’ have been careful to express their continued support for the Queen and there has been nothing in Prince Harry’s life experience to suggest that he would do otherwise.
Few if any old republicans like myself could have anything but respect for the way the Queen has welded the Commonwealth and modernised the institution. We may even have come to see the monarchy as a benign institution. A force capable of some moderation of the mind-numbing awful power and capability for rash decision-making of media beat-up generated popularity stakes. The power of these to impel short-term political thinking is both obvious and actual.
The monarchical institution may have been modernised but obviously the popularity mongers have not always been dragged along with it. The idea that there should be one rule for a royal family and another for a non royal is preposterous in this day and age. Would you have your own children caged to a way of life ordained simply by their blood-line? Apparently 8 out of 10 British newspapers and many others would.