The announcement from Harry and Meghan will cause a variety of responses from the public.One of them will be sadness. There is a tragic element to the blinkeredness and immaturity that mistakes a bid for independence as ‘carving a progressive role.’It isn’t that at all of course. In reality it is choosing between two competing philosophies or ethics. One, which the monarchy is founded on and depends on, is a Christian one in which doing one’s duty on behalf of others takes priority over self-interest. The other is a concentration on self-interest and self expression (however it is justified) at the expense of self-sacrifice and duty.The problem for the Sussexes is that they have chosen to put their own self-interests before their public duty and family. It has been tried before both by ordinary people and by prominent people like Edward 8th. The tragedy is that it almost always ends in a growth of self-pity and sadness.
Although they are banking on a degree of public support, a narrative that includes make Kate Windsor cry and cold-shouldering a beloved grandmother, may not elicit as much public sympathy as they hope.
The tragedy is that they have undoubtedly underestimated the cost of an independence that sits badly with the wealth and privilege they appear to feel they have a right to.
We can only pray for them; praying particularly for wisdom to make better choices and charity to mend the relationships they have broken as the price of pursuing their own interests.
The age of royalty is over.
Well, if you put it in terms of a choice between “a Christian ethic in which doing one’s duty on behalf of others takes priority over self-interest” and “an ethic of concentration on self-interest and self expression (however it is justified) at the expense of self-sacrifice and duty”, the question is whether either of the Sussexes are committed Christians, as the Queen seems to be.
If they are not, and neither of their lives to date suggests that they are, it is really not surprising that they would choose the ethic prevalent in our societies these days rather than a Christian ethic that is considered old-fashioned and out of date.
Commenter @ReebHerb:disqus writes, “The age of royalty is over” — I would say that outside specifically Christian circles (and largely even there) the age of putting duty and others first is over. I cannot even claim that I myself always choose the Christian ethic..
I see Harry as emotionally damaged and vulnerable. He hasn’t had the best start in life and so I am not at all surprised he is putting his own needs first.
Meghan is also damaged because of her background, but is perhaps more of a survivor than Harry. Meghan is definitely in charge in that relationship, however she exercises leadership.
So it’s a different generation with different attitudes. I think Charles will make a decent enough job of being king, but with the changing social values and obsession with ‘tolerance and self expression’ I think the Royal Family May be in for a very rocky ride..
I have sympathy for Harry, and perhaps a tiny little bit for his wife, but that doesn’t mean I condone what they have done or their apparent inability to see what the path of duty means. Whether Christian or not, people in privileged positions can see their responsibilities. Meghan married into the Royal Family and must have realised in at least a general way what that would mean. Her duty was to encourage her husband in his role and stick by him in her complementary role no matter what. She could have determined not to cause problems in the way another divorced woman from across the Atlantic did in the 1930s.
In fairness dannybhoy, we are all damaged goods–everyone is, everyone has been and will be. The ubiquitousness of that renders it a non-excuse. In fact, we thank God he causes (or helps, depending on your theology) many people to rise above it.
But you’re assuming they believe and experience God’s Grace in their lives.
Not at all. Being “damaged goods” does not preclude someone placing duty ahead of personal needs, in fact many people (and all are damaged goods is my point) do, both Christian and non-Christian.
I’m in the middle of the podcast “The History of Rome” (and I highly recommend it). Even pagan Romans placed a strong emphasis on duty and could be very unforgiving of people who (too obviously) placed their own interests ahead of Romes. In fact, they admired the people (like Claudius) who were able to overcome “disadvantage” and despised those (Caliglua, Nero) who only really wanted to indulge themselves.
Actually, I think we see God often makes the best use of “damaged goods” so I wouldn’t give up on them yet. Neither probably have any nuanced understanding of Christ or Christianity so we can hope that a couple who are not quite pagan and possibly not quite Christian might eventually come to realise there is more required of them in this life.
“Even pagan Romans placed a strong emphasis on duty and could be very unforgiving of people who (too obviously) placed their own interests ahead of Romes.”
You make my point for me. You’re referring to cultural expectations, and cultural expectations have changed! We have become more centred on the concerns of the individual than of the group..
The wonders of our God include His ability to make something positive out of something negative; to make a giver out of a taker. But in the case of damaged Harry and Meghan they have to come to a place where they first recognise their need of Him.
Agreed, But we don’t all face the added complication of being born into a royal family, or finding out your mother spent her last moments on earth dying in a car crash, in a tunnel, whilst fleeing rabid paparazzi..
Dr Ashenden is probably rather better placed than most to have an insight into Harry’s spiritual condition as well as other members of the Royal Family. Both Harry and Meghan need a convicting and repenting revelation of the Holiness of God and the agape love of Christ. All Christians should pray for that for them and also for a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation within the wider family. It must be a particularly heavy burden for the Queen to carry.
I agree. Its a shame that Gavin Ashenden isn`t anymore chaplain to the queen, because he certainly could help Harry and Meghan to become real Christians, particularly her.
As an American, I am outside the British way of looking at royalty, especially royalty who are not ever going to wear the crown. However, in exchange for privilege and great wealth, the British public apparently expects certain behaviors from members of the royal family. Harry knew that. Did Meghan? One might almost have forecast trouble from the beginning. Or, perhaps Harry has always wanted to get out of the royalty business and sees this as his way to do it. If he wants to do so, giving up any further dependence on the funds provided by British taxpayers would be appropriate. I understand a good bit of his income comes from his father’s duchy, which is private, and that question is between Charles and Harry.
Not being a celebrity worshipper, I haven’t clicked on all the seemingly endless articles about this couple and their lives. However, as a Christian, I favor marriage, and I hope their marriage will survive and be happy, whatever direction their lives take.
Unfortunately, Meghan Markle brought the pro-homosexuality and pro-abortion lobbies to the Royal Family. She wasn`t a Christian until she converted last year, she still isn`t a real Christian, and the last person anyone would think to invite to preach at their wedding, if they wanted her to become a real Christian, would be someone like Michael Curry.
It’s been reported that they didn’t advise the Queen or other royals in advance, that the family learned about the announcement from essentially public sources. It’s also reported that she signed a contract with Disney days before the announcements was made. If true, this is shocking and absolutely unacceptable! If true, my advice would be for Harry to take his losses now – they will only multiply.
Even doing my best to account for the fact that I don’t have much of an appreciation for the British way of looking at things, this is one of the more judgmental posts I have read in awhile. Let’s see how it plays out. Maybe the couple won’t turn out to be Francis of Assisi and Mother Teresa, but maybe what they end up doing will surprise us.
“The problem for the Sussexes is that they have chosen to put their own self-interests before their public duty and family.”
As an American looking in from the outside, I would disagree. Isn’t it possible that they found “public duty” to be in conflict with family responsibilities. The Kingdom will be just fine without them. On the other hand, they have a responsibility to raise their son, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, in the healthiest and happiest family environment they can afford.
I’m going to give them the benefit of the doubt. God bless them!
By the way, Harry served in the Army for ten years with tours in Afghanistan. He is no stranger to duty.