Could H&M have bought a suburban semi?

[Bluemuf]

Or maybe a cottage in the woods and lived a life of obscurity, if that's what they wanted?

Harry's a rich man based on inheritances alone, they could have lived quite comfortably relative to most of us, if they'd chosen a quiet life.

I suspect it's not that simple for them, but why not?

They do live a private life. Hence why people are obsessed with them like at the funeral and coronation, or when pictures are released. Private life doesn't mean disappearing from planet earth. They are still allowed to venture beyond their front garden and even choose to have some publicity.

The same people who complain 'they wanted privacy' are the ones fuelling the daily mail to get more stories. You're the first to click the article, start a thread, watch their documentary, post on social media.

Yes I think that's true!

They wanted a private life. So they go on Oprah Winfrey blowing open theirs and the royal families privacy. They do a 6 hour whingefest including their children about their private life on Netflix, again blowing apart the privacy of the royal family in the process. Meghan does Spotify podcasts talking (mostly) about herself and her privacy. Harry writes a book blowing apart his privacy and that of many others. Interviews. And on and on and on...

Yes, that's the perfect way to guard your privacy.

If you put yourself centre-stage you get no privacy because you don't actually want it. You want it on your terms.

King Charles offered them a large estate in Herefordshire where they would have had privacy and seclusion to raise their children.

But the only awards locally on offer to be bought were those of largest onion at the local fete... wasn't enough to entice Meghan.

They did not want a private life. They wanted to make money!
They could not do this while also representing the Royal Family. The RF is a constitutional monarchy in the UK; ie the Monarch is the Head of State. This is why there are certain restrictions placed upon what is termed 'working royals'. It means those members represent the Royal Family and by definition, the UK state.
Within the RF they could have had influence, led a somewhat restricted life of priviledge, and have security paid for, but they thought they could make more money by 'merching' their connections to the RF. They called this being half in and half out.
The late Queen, said you cannot do both; either in or out.
Unfortunately, the only way they can 'merch' their connections to the RF is by trashing that very institution, and family members within it.
Now, if they were aiming to do something separately then that would be good. However, even Meghan's spotify podcast, she invariably brought the conversation back to herself, rather than interviewing the celebrity, etc.
They said they wanted financial independence, but their only qualification seemed to be how they are related to the RF.

They didn't want privacy , Harry wanted the half in half out nonsense that he dreamt up that's why they initially went to Canada ,so of course if he wanted privacy and a quiet life they so could do that.

Tell me you don't know who Jackie O was without telling me you don't know who Jackie O was...

Here's a speech he gave saying he wanted a "more peaceful life".

https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/20/uk/transcript-prince-harry-speech-intl-gbr/index.html

🤣🤣

@MrsFinkelstein I truly believe Harry did want a peaceful life out of the limelight. However he married a woman who has strived all her adult life to be in the limelight. Meghan was sold a pup as she thought Harry's 'royalty' was the path to fame. Harry was sold a pup as he believed meghans love of his African hideaways was an indicator she wanted that lifestyle.

Basically both parties have married a person with a different ideals and needs because they really didn't take time to get to know each other and what they wanted from the marriage.

Meghan clearly has achieved the fame and wealth she desired. Harry has a wife and children he loves. I just hope he has enough of the lifestyle he really wanted. They could achieve a balance where they both get what they want, and I hope they do. Just do it without hurting other people.

Yeah, the idea of 'living in seclusion' doesn't appeal for some reason. Why would Meghan want to live in Herefordshire of all places, rather than the states/Canada where her friends and family are? Just think this one through for a second.

When Will and Kate lived in Anglesey after getting married, thats probably when interest in her was highest because the tabloids were waiting to see when she'd get pregnant. Plenty of interest and articles written about them during that time but I don't recall a single pap photo, no high speed car chases etc.
No newspaper is going to send someone to somewhere rural to maybe get a photo of a famous person going about their daily life.
There are lots of super famous celebrities who manage to live normally.

But isn’t that what happens when you marry someone from a different country? One of you has to re locate. And since Harry’s job was somewhat linked to being in this country, you would think that Meghan would understand that they would need to be in the UK.

Before they married, In an interview Harry expressed his a real interest in living a simpler life in Africa, and that Megan was very keen to also do this. Yet, somehow they've ended up living in a 10 million dollar mansion in one of the most exclusive areas of California. With cashmere Hermes throws draped over the chairs and Megan wearing $40,000 dollar dresses for her Oprah interview. Bit of a detour that?

I think that Megan is now living the lifestyle she always desperately aspired to. I doubt this is truly the lifestyle Harry aspired to.

How could an actual Prince live a "simple life" in Africa he was romantisising about game reserves and sunsets probably wanted bankrolled by his father and not wanting to spend any of his actual money.

Before he married he used to fanny about like he was on an eternal gap year .

How could an actual Prince live a "simple life" in Africa he was romantisising about game reserves and sunsets probably wanted bankrolled by his father and not wanting to spend any of his actual money.

That's how he was living in the UK, wasn't it? Being bankrolled by his dad. He earned money in the army, I'm sure, but it wouldn't cover all his expenses, his new cars, his holidays and 1st class flights, etc. I guess he thought he could just carry on living like that.

Harry thought his Dad was going to continue to bankroll him when he went to the States.

It was on Oprah- I really didn't think the RF would cut off my funding or my security - or words to that effect.

Who exactly was he talking about- Granny, Daddy & Big Bro?

There is probably an element of Charles and William feel he has let them down by walking away.

I’m cynical about this I’m afraid. The actions of their security protection were absolutely bizarre and only served to prolong (and therefore increase any potential risks) the event by hours!

I worked a nightshift at reception in a very high-end hotel in London when I was at university. It was common for celebrities to be driven to our hotel giving the paps the impression they were guests, then they would get into a second pre-arranged car with a different set of security guys and drive off out a side entrance. It worked like a charm everytime as far as I knew. Why they didn’t pre-arrange something like that is odd.

The sub-text to all this is that Harry is in the middle of his (third?) legal case against the UK government because the government ruled that as a ex-royal living overseas, he no longer qualifies for UK taxpayer funded security. He’s sued the government already and lost but he’s trying again and what a coincidence that this happens...

It's hard to think he might have put himself out there as bait and hoped the paps would go for it and I don't think I believe that but... It was just too easy to avoid this circus but no, they drove around NY pointlessly for hours. Hmm.

I have that old tv comerical line in my head "Don't turn a drama into a crisis"
And of course, they’re on the front pages again.

@Sugarfree23
But the Royal Family are not 'paid' for each appearance, or every time they open a supermarket, etc.
They get money from the Sovereign Grant, the Duchy of Lancaster/Duchy of Cornwall, and in return they are expected to appear at certain functions, etc.
In Harry's case, apart from his various inheritences (Q. Mother, and Diana), his income was primarily from his father - for supporting the RF and turning up at these events. I believe he (Charles) also funded separately various clothing items of Meghans, etc (I think Harry may have got a small army pension?).
They wanted to become financially independent, ie not be funded by Daddy.
I understand that Charles still funded them for the first quarter after they relocated to California and some rumour that he helped finance their mansion (not sure about the last).

Yes he really expected to be able to live his life how he wanted as someone else said that why he keeps suing because he's livid he hasn't got his own way he is a brat !

@milveycrohn yes Harry wanted financial independence and then was upset when his security was no longer funded.
It was funded while they were in Canada as the inital intent was they'd return as Working Royals. They said they weren't coming back. He lost his internationally protected person status.

And Daddy said he wasn't funding it either.

Meghan questioned him about security if they left and he assured her that they'd never lose their protection officers because he was special status. It never even occurred to him to check what would happen because he's always got whatever he wanted.

I think Meghan’s now living the dream: dining out with Cameron Diaz and gwyneth Paltrow. She could never have “achieved” this in a million years without Harry and all the attendant drama.

I think by “privacy” H&M mean the type of uber-celebrity privacy that billionairedom buys: curating your image to the finest degree with ne’er a hint of scrutiny.