The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced last night that they will step back from their roles as senior royals in pursuit of a more normal way of life.
It remains to be seen how Prince Harry, 35, and Meghan Markle, 38, will manage to balance their commitments to the monarchy and charity patronages while stepping out of the spotlight, but they do not need to look far from home for inspiration.
Prince Harry’s cousin Zara and her ex-rugby player husband Mike enjoy a ‘normal’ life – at least within royal circles – and live with their daughters in relative privacy, but still reap the benefits of lucrative contacts that they have secured, at least in part, thanks to their positions within the royal family.
The Sussexes could be hoping to emulate their model (although on a much grander, more international scale) as they pursue the ‘financial independence’ mentioned in their bombshell social media statement.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced last night that they will step back from their roles as senior royals in pursuit of a more normal way of life. They could look to Harry’s cousin Zara and her husband Mike, pictured in Australia last week, for inspiration on how to live their lives
The Sussexes could be hoping to emulate Zara and Mike’s model of staying out of the spotlight while enjoying the privileges of royalty, although on a much grander, more international scale
The Tindalls, like their cousins, also dedicate a significant amount of time to charitable causes and have phonebooks dotted with celebrity names. There have even been rumours that Zara and Mike are considering leaving the UK to live overseas.
There are, of course, also significant differences between the two couples. Zara was never given a royal title – Meghan and Harry chose not to give one to their son, Archie, – and is naturally under less scrutiny due to her place far further down in the line of succession.
She has also always had her own career as a equestrian, while Harry, a former soldier, is now seeking to establish his profession.
But there are certainly aspects of the Tindalls’ life that Harry and Meghan can use as a blueprint when working out the best route to take through these uncharted waters.
LUCRATIVE DEALS
Making money! It emerged last year that Zara was paid £100,000 a year for a non-executive directorship at the Global Group of companies, owned by tycoon Dr Johnny Hon, pictured. Harry and Meghan could be looking to secure similarly lucrative revenue streams
Poster girl: Zara Tindall was unveiled as an ambassador for iCandy prams’ £1,500 ‘all-terrain’ buggy in 2018. It is one of a number of brand deals she has had over the years
Full speed ahead: Zara Phillips during the world premiere of the all-new Land Rover Discovery in Birmingham in 2016. Her partnership with the brand was rumoured to be worth up to £200K a year. It could be inspiration to Harry and Meghan who want financial independence
One of the greatest unknowns in Harry and Meghan’s plan is how the couple intend to become ‘financially independent’, away from the royal funds that they’ve previously used to survive.
There is no doubt that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex could command the highest fees for public appearances, like their friends the Obamas.
Jeff Jacobson, co-founder of the Talent Bureau speaking agency, says the couple would get at least $100,000 per appearance, and Harry could get up $500,000.
He told Bloomberg: ‘I would imagine they are going to start having these conversations ASAP, if they haven’t already. I suspect they will both get on the circuit, and it will be one of Harry’s primary revenue streams.’
However, Harry and Meghan could also turn to Mike and Zara for inspiration.
It emerged last year that Zara was paid £100,000 a year for a non-executive directorship at the Global Group of companies, owned by tycoon Dr Johnny Hon.
Appointed to advise on horse racing for a sports investment arm, she was contractually required to attend just two board meetings by telephone a year and four company functions.
In September 2018 it was estimated that the royal had brand partnerships and ambassadorships worth a combined £1.1million a year – with Rolex, Land Rover and Musto among the big names who have had her on the payroll.
Brand partnerships would be trickier for Harry and Meghan but not impossible – it could be another revenue stream for the Sussexes.
A ‘NORMAL’ FAMILY LIFE
No royal titles: Prince Harry and Meghan will likely hope Archie and any future children will enjoy a similar level of freedom to Zara and Peter did growing up. Zara and Mike also raise daughters Mia (left) and Lena (in pram) largely out of the spotlight. Pictured, in 2018
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex followed the lead of Zara’s mother Princess Anne in choosing not to give their offspring any royal title.
Zara has often spoken of how grateful she is to Anne, 69, and her father Captain Mark Phillips, for choosing not to give her or brother Peter royal titles – and the expectation, responsibility and scrutiny they bring.
‘I’m very lucky that both my parents decided to not use the title we grew up with and did all the things that gave us the opportunity to do,’ she has said previously. ‘We were able to be more adventurous than say, [Prince] William.’
Prince Harry and Meghan will likely hope Archie and any future children will enjoy a similar level of freedom to Zara and Peter did growing up.
The Sussexes are also planning on maintaining a property on the royal estate like the Tindalls, who live with daughters Mia, five, and Lena, one, on the grounds of Anne’s Gatcombe Park, Gloucestershire. However, unlike Harry and Meghan, they do not keep a second home in North America.
Mia and Lena are kept largely out of the spotlight – save a few scene-stealing appearances at family weddings, royal events and equestrian competitions – which affords them a more ‘normal’ childhood than that of other royals.
Archie has already had several public outings, including being formally ‘introduced’ to the world at just a few days old and joining his parents on their African royal tour last year, but it is thought Harry and Meghan will not make a habit of it.
This will be aided by their decision to split their time between North America and the UK – although having two homes across different continents is anything but ‘low-key’.
CHARITY PATRONAGES
Showing their support: Zara and Mike Tindall are also active in supporting worthwhile causes close to their hearts. Pictured, at a ball supporting Cancer Research UK and The Marie Keating Foundation in December last year. Harry and Meghan are also hoping to focus on charity work
In the statement announcing their new path, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex placed great emphasis on spending more time focusing on their charity endeavours and are poised to launch a new ‘charitable entity’.
With their close ties to Africa, and their intention to move to North America, it is likely these causes will have a global focus.
Zara and Mike Tindall are also active in supporting worthwhile causes close to their hearts.
However their lower profile means they do not command the widespread attention enjoyed by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex when they step out for charity.