“The backdrop for many of the Sussexes’ video messages and calls, it is the place where the global spotlight this fortnight has been firmly trained as the couple has made two major digital appearances.” https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a33369826/prince-harry-meghan-markle-commonwealth-controversy/

“The 1st was a discussion abt “fairness, justice & equal rights” w/ the QCT...Just a few days later...Meghan made a keynote speech at the UN’s @GirlUp Summit. Both appearances generated a flood of stories & commentary—& had the increasingly familiar effect of polarizing opinion.”

“Harry, who remains President of the @queenscomtrust despite stepping back as a working royal, spoke about the Commonwealth needing to “acknowledge the past” before it can move forward... Critics, particularly in the UK, lambasted the Prince for his comments.“

“But others applauded this acknowledgement of Britain's fraught colonial past. “Too often, the Commonwealth has seemed to be in denial about its past, preferring to see itself as an organisation united by shared values rather than by historical accident,” wrote Philip Murphy”

“Indeed, far from taking the conversation in an unintended direction, the Prince's observations were exactly what the discussion was meant to be about. Prompted by an open letter to Commonwealth institutions from a group of young people”

“the QCT...has started a conversation...The letter shared requests and suggestions on how "the c’wealth as an entity should acknowledge & speak abt our shared histories of colonial conquest and the pain, suffering, and subjugation our nations and people have been subjected to.””

“But, in a world where so much of what the Sussexes say and do is viewed through the lens of their decision to leave their royal roles, the narrative that prevailed was the one in which Harry’s words put him at odds with the institution.”

“And then, when Meghan spoke for several minutes in a speech (below, around the 1:20:00 mark) aimed at young girls about equality and the fight for a fairer world, there were plenty of ways to apply the message to her own situation.”

“The speech was the subject of thousands of stories around the world, emphasizing the fact that interest in the couple and their work has not diminished since they stepped back as working royals.”

“Though there is a common refrain from critics on social media that they are less relevant or interesting now that they are no longer part of the royal machinery, that would seem at odds with the fact that they still generate as much debate and as many stories as they ever did.”

“H&M have taken the royal family, the media, and the public into uncharted territory with their decision to walk away from royal life. They have stepped back not in search of a totally private life (as some erroneously claim they wanted) but for a different kind of public life.”

“A public life where they can have more control over who gets access to them and what they spend their time on. In their new endeavors, Harry and Meghan won’t be branding themselves as royal, but it is impossible to erase the ties that, in Harry’s case, are lifelong.”

“Some people may find it unsettling to leave an institution with such clear structure and defined purpose to go it alone. Others may question how successfully the Sussexes will be able to clearly shape a new and enduring identity.”

“But, according to those familiar w/ their work, H&M are in no doubt abt what their purpose now is. “They’re hands on, working nonstop on the development of Archewell—their new nonprofit org—& it’s giving them a lot of energy,” a source familiar w/ the couple’s plans tells T&C.”

“”They want to see positive and substantive change happen in this world, and they want to lift up the voices and platforms of dynamic and diverse leaders of all kinds who are already making that change a reality. They want to focus on supporting and strengthening community.””

“”In a lot of ways, what people have been seeing is Archewell already in motion. And there’s a lot to come.””