A new report from The Sunday Times indicates that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex may have wanted to create their own household separate from the tethers at Buckingham Palace, though it was vetoed by The Queen and the Prince of Wales.
According to a royal source, Harry and Meghan “wanted their household to be entirely independent of Buckingham Palace, but were told ‘no.’”
The source continued, “There is an institutional structure that doesn’t allow that kind of independence. The feeling is that it’s good to have the Sussexes under the jurisdiction of Buckingham Palace, so they can’t just go off and do their own thing.”
The Times article reports that Harry and Meghan are interested in building a ‘Sussex brand’ of global philanthropy and humanitarianism that doesn’t line up with how other members of the Royal Family conduct their business.
Kensington Palace has not responded to the story.
Last week, Buckingham Palace announced that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will create their own household this spring under the umbrella at Buckingham Palace. The costs of the household will be shared by The Queen, using the Sovereign Grant, and the Prince of Wales, using the Duchy of Cornwall funds.
Harry and Meghan are due to move out of their home at Nottingham Cottage on the grounds of Kensington Palace around the time their first child is born – likely sometime in April – to Windsor, where they will live at Frogmore Cottage on the grounds of Windsor Castle.
Their office will be based at Buckingham Palace, with a new staff to be hired this spring, led by Sara Latham, who will be their Communications Secretary. Latham previously worked on Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign, and for President Clinton in the 1990s.
All previously shared staff at Kensington Palace are staying with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Harry and Meghan are expected to keep an apartment at Buckingham Palace – like the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl and Countess of Wessex – as their London base, The Times reports, with Frogmore Cottage reported to be their permanent official residence.
