The Duke and Duchess of Sussex

[Pontius Navigator]

Should Charles predecease Camilla, I wonder what she will be titled? Indeed even when he is King.

She might remain as Duchess before becoming Dowager. King's consort would be a bit clumsy and King's Step Mother more so.

[barkingmad]

“There’s a difference between being a celebrity and being a royal” quotes one RF pundit on ‘t wireless this morning.

Fair summary.

[Capetonian]

The Markle woman is neither, despite her aspirations.
I'm not sure if they have trailer parks in Canada, but if they do, I'm sure she will find one. Otherwise she may have to cross the border to her native land.

[probes]

Oh no, Cape, surely not in the land of Reality.

[om15]

I think Ibbie has made a valid point, if there is no future or promotion within the "Firm", why not look for pastures new, it is what the rest of us do, on the proviso that the salary and goodies stop of course.
On the way that they did it, well, I suspect that very little within the Royal Family is negotiated, people are told what to do by those above them, full stop. The Queen says how it is and that is it, I think that if the happy couple feel this way they should say "We're off, stick your money" rather than trying to half stay in on their terms.
What hasn't been mentioned is that Ms Markle has had a highly successful career and has a certain amount of earned wealth in her own right, I can quite see why she feels that she doesn't fit into the Royal Family, she should have known this before of course.
This is for the best, Prince Harry has done his duty, real Army duty, not just parade ground stuff, and if he wants to now shack up with a Yank actress in California/ Canada good luck to him, he has earned it as far as I can see.

[OFSO]

Yes, they do have trailer parks in Canada. Most are in close proximity to the US border. I'm sure the Royal Family could whip up some sort of double-width with attached brick outhouse for the lady. Park a Rolls Royce outside, up on axle stands and with the front right in primer, to make her feel at home.

[G-CPTN]

When will he get his military pension?

[probes]

But, to look at it from their side - if you are told (or think) - you'll always be No.2 there, and if your brother has the birth right to the title, then surely you have yours on billions that could be made of it... then the scandal would be logical, of course, to ensure max publicity.
The Queen will survive, as usual. They think.


The next point of human interest (= personalities and activities, or rather the variety of it) will be reached when they discover they are not No.2 together against 'them' any more, but one of the couple is more successful in terms of cash or popularity?

[Ex-Ascot]

When will he get his military pension?

Depends upon the terms he was on. HRH didn't do the full 16 yrs so maybe got a gratuity and no pension. In the Royal Air Force pensionable age is 38 or 16 years service whichever is he greater with full pension at 55.

I agree with Ibbie and OM15. However, will they keep a low profile. Of course not. That woman will want her name/photo in the press every day.

They should be stripped of their Royal status but it seems not.

[G-CPTN]

The 'bff' - with whom Archie was left - is a prolific contributor to social media - is this what MM wants?

[Boac]

This has to be one of the worst cases of 'post-natal blues' I have seen

[ian16th]

Another stupid question from a silly old fart.

As the Head of the Church of England, can HMQ annul a marriage that was created by the rites of the Church of England?

If so, does she need a valid reason or can she do it on a whim?

[OFSO]

Can, yes. Would, no.

Have to be pretty convincing grounds, tho.

[Boac]

Wondering why the marriage should come into this? Have I missed some DM gossip?

[ian16th]

Wondering why the marriage should come into this? Have I missed some DM gossip?

Just a thought that passed through my two remaining brain cells.

[llondel]

You're assuming she's pushing him into it. It may well be that he's the driving force because he doesn't want her to be hounded like his mother was.

It could all be an elaborate ploy to stop the IRS trying to extract Civil List money from her as income tax.

[ian16th]

You're assuming she's pushing him into it. It may well be that he's the driving force because he doesn't want her to be hounded like his mother was.

It could all be an elaborate ploy to stop the IRS trying to extract Civil List money from her as income tax.

On the tax front, has she renounced her USA citizenship yet?

The US taxman considers all citizens, wherever they reside, fair game.

[G-CPTN]

Does the US have property/wealth taxation as well as income tax?

[ian16th]

Does the US have property/wealth taxation as well as income tax?

The US tax man got at Boris for some sort of capital gains tax, when he sold a house in the UK. This instigated him renouncing his US citizenship.

[llondel]

Does the US have property/wealth taxation as well as income tax?

For non-residents, it's only income tax that is relevant. Property and wealth taxes are at state level (although Warren has proposed a federal wealth tax so that bit could conceivably change).

Also, provided he has income and she doesn't, what he earns is untouchable provided he doesn't live in the US. We had that for many years living in the UK where I earned money and my wife didn't, so she filed a zero return.

As a US citizen abroad you get a foreign earned income exemption, currently about $105k, on which you are not liable for US tax, and if you live somewhere that has a tax treaty with the US you can deduct the local tax you pay from any US liability to avoid being taxed twice on the same money. You still have to do the paperwork though (or pay someone to do it for you).