# What the heck is going on with the Royal Family ("Megxit") **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 10, 2020, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-the-royal-family-megxit/846203 "2020-01-10T04:12:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2020, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-the-royal-family-megxit/846203/61 "2020-01-11T20:18:03Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Royals… > Queens Reign… > Royal Family… > Royal Duties… > Royal Dukes… > Royals… You’re capitalizing like it’s 1799. As for myself, I hold that no man or woman is above the lowercase. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2020, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-the-royal-family-megxit/846203/62 "2020-01-11T20:30:55Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > You’re capitalizing like it’s 1799. As for myself, I hold that no man or woman is above the lowercase. Sez the poster with the name of **Johanna**!:p:p:p ---
**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2020, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-the-royal-family-megxit/846203/63 "2020-01-11T21:14:47Z")
> [@orcenio](#): > > Prove the nut-bar conspiracy theorists’ right; convert to Islam and say it was his mother’s last wish for him and his brother. That will muck-up things right nicely. Even the US tabloids would notice. > [@](#): > > On a more serious note I hope Canada isn’t going become a Royal refuge. I dislike the archaic system enough when it’s at arm’s length, but now they might be here playing up “our shared ties”. Augh. The young Royals are so sickening popular [people are campaigning for Harry as GG](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/a-majority-of-canadians-want-prince-harry-to-become-governor-general). Could Canada provide refuge for more escaping Royals? Beside the GG sinecure, the [Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lieutenant_Governor_of_British_Columbia) represents HM in the province. Would assignment to any province seem a demotion for a Senior Prince but a cushy job for princelings? Should a Royal take a Chinese mate, likely necessary for Vancouver residency? Wild idea: send a bellicose Royal to re-take Hong Kong. Argue that Beijing broke agreements and so rule defaults back to London. I should ask about this in another thread. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2020, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-the-royal-family-megxit/846203/64 "2020-01-11T21:22:57Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Sez the poster with the name of **Johanna**!:p:p:p :rolleyes: You do get the distinction between common nouns and proper nouns, right? Sorry if that went over your head, as it was the entire point of my post. An example of a common noun is “duties.” An example of a proper noun is Johanna. I can’t believe this even needs explaining on the Dope. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2020, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-the-royal-family-megxit/846203/65 "2020-01-11T22:37:24Z")
> [@Quintas](#): > > Maybe not _exactly_ like they are accustomed, but I imagine there are plenty of wealthy people who will be happy to let them use a yacht, vacation home or the occasional jet in order to get to hob nob with “royalty”. Basically they can do the same thing as the Obama’s who are making a great deal of money with Netflix deals, book deals and speaking deals. ---
**Author:** ![orcenio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orcenio/32/1036_2.png) [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2020, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-the-royal-family-megxit/846203/66 "2020-01-11T22:55:29Z")
> [@RioRico](#): > > Could Canada provide refuge for more escaping Royals? Beside the GG sinecure, the [Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lieutenant_Governor_of_British_Columbia) represents HM in the province. Would assignment to any province seem a demotion for a Senior Prince but a cushy job for princelings? Should a Royal take a Chinese mate, likely necessary for Vancouver residency? Wild idea: send a bellicose Royal to re-take Hong Kong. Argue that Beijing broke agreements and so rule defaults back to London. I should ask about this in another thread. It’s assumed that the offer would be for GG of Canada, not BC but any/all such appointments are broached via back-door schmoozing where Harry would need to confirm a willingness to complete the job/duties. Due to Harry’s high profile, Trudeau would probably kill to have him as GG, but Harry might not be up for the royal hassle of moving to Ottawa (or other pomp and shit). Of course British Colombia love to snag Harry too. Basically whatever Harry wants (within reason) he could probably get via a little bit of dinner talk with the right people. ---
**Author:** ![Quintas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/48db29/32.png) [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2020, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-the-royal-family-megxit/846203/67 "2020-01-11T23:05:08Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > Basically they can do the same thing as the Obama’s who are making a great deal of money with Netflix deals, book deals and speaking deals. well…so has every other (recent) President. Even if he’s stepping away from official duties, I cant see Prince Harry writing a tell all book or even doing speaking engagements. If he wasn’t gonna dish on the Royal family, what would he talk about? Hearing a former President speak is different because they actually held tremendous power and their opinion on current events is of interest. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-the-royal-family-megxit/846203/68 "2020-01-12T00:17:30Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > :rolleyes: > You do get the distinction between common nouns and proper nouns, right? Sorry if that went over your head, as it was the entire point of my post. An example of a common noun is “duties.” An example of a proper noun is Johanna. > > I can’t believe this even needs explaining on the Dope. > **[English Grammar 101 - Capitalization, Lesson 2: Titles](https://www.englishgrammar101.com/module-11/capitalization/lesson-2/titles)** > > Learn more about titles. Our lessons offer detailed explanations along with exercises to test your knowledge. \*Capitalize titles of heads of state, royalty, and nobility when they are used with names, in place of names, or as appositives. Members of the nobility are often called by their titles. Therefore, the title becomes an alternate name and is capitalized. Titles of nobility are also capitalized when they are the names of titles of state or nobility. Queen Elizabeth, King Juan Carlos of Spain, Duke Gunnar, President George Washington. Good morning, Prime Minister. the Duke of York, President of the United States.\* I can’t believe this even needs explaining on the Dope ---
**Author:** ![slash2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@slash2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slash2k)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-the-royal-family-megxit/846203/69 "2020-01-12T00:18:06Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > Can someone, somewhere (perhaps some ancient advisor may respond (or might Parliament if the world went crazy and Parliament gave a shit) with documents approved somewhere in the past: “Dear Harry, you realize you’re precipitating an even bigger challenge and upset of Royal functioning. You say “get bent,” but you can’t just become not-a-senior member, that’s biology, so get your ass back here and do your job. If you really want to renounce this role for the American woman you love, or whatever the hell, sign here and take your medicine and have fun in [del]Bermuda[/del] Canada.” > > Is there any sort of any _legal_ thing going on that side, _a la_ the other frequent tempest-in-a-teapot crises? > > [YMMV on teapot/tempest size.] There’s not really a “legal” position of senior member of the family; it’s all been done on the basis of tradition and custom, rather than statute and contract. There’s no even vaguely modern precedent for renouncing the role while remaining in the succession, except for the elderly or ill (Philip was 96 when he quit royal duties, e.g., while the last Duke of Gloucester had had the first in a series of strokes). You’d have to go back to something like the Duchess of Teck decamping abroad in the 1880s due to her debts, but she was well down in the line of succession [40-somethingth in line for the throne and dropping fast] and the whole ‘royals doing charitable things’ was not yet firmly established. The only real hold (other than emotional) the family has over Harry is the power of the purse–if he wants to continue to receive a share of the revenues of the Duchy of Cornwall (or Lancaster), or have a grace-and-favor residence at Windsor and an office in Buckingham Palace, he has to reach some accommodation with the people who control those, his father and grandmother and eventually William. If he can achieve full financial and other independence, that hold disappears. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-the-royal-family-megxit/846203/70 "2020-01-12T00:25:19Z")
He’s NOT gonna be GG of Canada. That makes no sense. He’d be immediately back to shaking hands, cutting ribbons, and eating with potentates while making nice. I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what he’s trying to get away from. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-the-royal-family-megxit/846203/71 "2020-01-12T01:02:17Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > [English Grammar 101 - Capitalization, Lesson 2: Titles](https://www.englishgrammar101.com/module-11/capitalization/lesson-2/titles) > \*Capitalize titles of heads of state, royalty, and nobility when they are used with names, in place of names, or as appositives. Members of the nobility are often called by their titles. Therefore, the title becomes an alternate name and is capitalized. Titles of nobility are also capitalized when they are the names of titles of state or nobility. > > Queen Elizabeth, King Juan Carlos of Spain, Duke Gunnar, President George Washington. Good morning, Prime Minister. the Duke of York, President of the United States.\* That rule doesn’t apply in the cases of either “Royal Families” or “Royal Duties,” at least > [@](#): > > I can’t believe this even needs explaining on the Dope If you’re going to be snarky, at least get the rule right.😉 ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-the-royal-family-megxit/846203/72 "2020-01-12T02:04:00Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > [English Grammar 101 - Capitalization, Lesson 2: Titles](https://www.englishgrammar101.com/module-11/capitalization/lesson-2/titles) > \*Capitalize titles of heads of state, royalty, and nobility when they are used with names, in place of names, or as appositives. Members of the nobility are often called by their titles. Therefore, the title becomes an alternate name and is capitalized. Titles of nobility are also capitalized when they are the names of titles of state or nobility. > > Queen Elizabeth, King Juan Carlos of Spain, Duke Gunnar, President George Washington. Good morning, Prime Minister. the Duke of York, President of the United States.\* And if you can’t see the difference between that and what AK84 posted, I suggest remedial English class. Because so far you’ve completely failed to get it and are wreaking one of the more pointless hijacks ever seen. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-the-royal-family-megxit/846203/73 "2020-01-12T02:33:58Z")
Are you supposed to capitalize Queen when the word is used by itself but clearly in reference to a particular queen? I generally do, on the infrequent occasion that I need to talk about royalty. E.g., Harry will need to discuss this with the Queen. [Here’s the Queen photobombing some Aussie women hockey players in Glasgow.](https://mobile.twitter.com/_JaydeTaylor/status/492269017215012864/photo/1) They capitalized Queen in their tweet. > [@Jayde Taylor](#): > > Ahhh The Queen photo-bombed our selfie!! 😄 👑 #royalty #sheevensmiled #amazing #Glasgow2014 @Hockeyroos @AusComGames [https://twitter.com/\_JaydeTaylor/status/492269017215012864/photo/1](http://pic.twitter.com/ZMtHYFUqHk) > 4:24 AM - 24 Jul 2014 Likewise, I usually capitalize words like President or Governor, even when the word is used by itself, if it clearly refers to a particular president or governor. A queen — of a queen — to a queen — a queen — O Queen! ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-the-royal-family-megxit/846203/74 "2020-01-12T02:56:50Z")
Harry’s expendable by successionary standards. The Heir of the Heir has an heir and some spares. It would take a King-Ralph-level disaster to get him on the throne. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-the-royal-family-megxit/846203/75 "2020-01-12T03:09:34Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > That rule doesn’t apply in the cases of either “Royal Families” or “Royal Duties,” at least > > If you’re going to be snarky, at least get the rule right.😉 She started the snark, I directly quoted her. Yes, \*“Royal Families” or “Royal Duties,” \* are not capitalized. AK84 was wrong here. But _“Queens Reign”_ most certainly is. The “queen” there is directly referring to a certain royal, i.e. Queen Elizabeth II. "Capitalize titles of heads of state, royalty, and nobility when they …in place of names, ". So at least in one case, AK84 was correct, Johanna was wrong. _“Royal Dukes”_, and "_Royals’_ are questionable- if they are referring to specific personages, yes, caps. If to any or non-specific “Royal Dukes”, or "Royals’ , then no caps. This could go either way. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-the-royal-family-megxit/846203/76 "2020-01-12T03:10:37Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > … Because so far you’ve completely failed to get it and are wreaking one of the more pointless hijacks ever seen. Who started the hijack? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-the-royal-family-megxit/846203/77 "2020-01-12T03:12:06Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Are you supposed to capitalize Queen when the word is used by itself but clearly in reference to a particular queen? … Yes. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-the-royal-family-megxit/846203/78 "2020-01-12T04:33:39Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Harry’s expendable by successionary standards. The Heir of the Heir has an heir and some spares. It would take a King-Ralph-level disaster to get him on the throne. There are only 5 people ahead of him. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip could easily die of the ailments of old age. Prince William and his three children could all die in an airplane or motor vehicle accident. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-the-royal-family-megxit/846203/79 "2020-01-12T05:01:41Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > …[you’re]…wreaking one of the more pointless hijacks ever seen. Note to mods: I, for one, think “wreaking” should be adopted as the transitive verb of choice with the noun “hijack.” ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-the-royal-family-megxit/846203/80 "2020-01-12T05:12:40Z")
Man reading the Daily Mail is fun now. Anyway, re our immediately preceding lubrications: The Sussexes will look to the example of former US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, who, after leaving the White House, launched a lucrative commercial career with multi-million-dollar book deals, a Netflix documentary series and carefully selected public speaking appearances without compromising their ‘brand’. But being a member of the Royal Family is different. It’s far from clear, for example, exactly what sort of work Harry and Meghan could do without trading on their titles. The Sussex Royal trademark registered with the Intellectual Property Office allows them the right to produce trademarked goods – everything from notebooks to pyjamas. [Underline added] A source said: ‘The trouble is that there is no precedent for this. [[source](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7877031/Prince-Harry-Meghan-Markle-offered-compromise-Commonwealth-role.html)] [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-the-royal-family-megxit/846203.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-the-royal-family-megxit/846203.md?page=5)