Princess Anne thinks it was right for Harry and Meghan to step down

Gannygangan

If you read the whole of the original Vanity Fair article, (not the latter shortened one mentioned in the OP) you will see answers to some of the things mentioned here

www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/04/princess-anne-opens-up-about-her-lifetime-as-a-royal

Blimey, it was hard to wade through the what she was wearing bit...

But yes, it very much put the OP comment into a better perspective and certainly explained why the Sussex's "service" comment was so controversial.

Thank for posting the link, it was a good read

Princess Ann doesn’t like change, you can tell that by her hairstyle ?

I think Pricess Anne is glad to see the back of Meghan and Harry within the RF and that this is indirectly what she meant.

Calendargirl

I should think that Anne could see through Meghan straightaway, and realised that the traditional ideas of Royal duty and service meant something completely different to the D&D of Sussex, and that these loose cannons would be better living the lifestyle they chose somewhere else.

Yup! That’s how I read it too.

The actual changes matter, she didn’t change the way her mother carries out royal duties , she doesn’t do - meme interviews, she accepts her brother is heir to the throne, she knows there is a line and doesn’t cross it.

Anniebach

MaizieD she didn’t try to change things within the duties of
the family, she has never pushed herself to the fore

But she made changes. That was more my point than the actual nature of the changes.

But to be quite honest', I have no idea what M& H did wrong because I'm just not particularly interested and discussions like this on social media are too polarised.

Anne is in the same position as Harry but she accepted it and has always carried out her public duties without wailing about
any problems in her private life

I wondered when the Meghan bashing would start. Princess Anne supported their move. Why assume it's because she didn't like Meghan? Maybe it's for the same reason she didn't insist on Royal titles for her children. She said something along the line that they were too far from the throne to ever need a title and it would simply complicate their lives. Perhaps she sees that in Harry's situation too. He doesn't need to be there anymore. He's not the spare anymore, (William has made sure they have enough of them) so he can just get on with living his life and if that's in another county then so be it.

If you read the whole of the original Vanity Fair article, (not the latter shortened one mentioned in the OP) you will see answers to some of the things mentioned here

www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/04/princess-anne-opens-up-about-her-lifetime-as-a-royal

Princess Anne is very like her Dad. Very straight and to the point. I am sure being close to them she could see that Royal life was not what Meghan, in particular, wanted. I'm not their biggest fan but moving to the US was the right decision for them. They shouldn't profit from their Royal titles when they have no intention of fulfilling any duties in those roles.

MaizieD she didn’t try to change things within the duties of
the family, she has never pushed herself to the fore

MaizieD of all the RF I've always imagined them as two of the least stressful to deal with if I were to ever get stuck in a lift with any of them! ?

Anniebach

She doesn’t approve of young royals trying to change things

I think if that were true she would be being a bit hypocritical.

She 'changed things' when she was a young royal by determinedly pursuing excellence in her chosen field of eventing and competing at a very high level. I can't think of any other royal who has turned what would just be a hobby sport into a serious competitive endeavour.

She, admittedly following her aunt's precedent, married a commoner and refused to allow her children to be sucked into the Royalty circus. As a consequence they have pretty 'normal' lives (within the parameters of the 'class' they exist in).

Not such an extreme change as H &M, but a significant change nonetheless. It's small steps for each generation.

(I have to confess that, as a bit of a horsey person, I think very highly of her and Zara)

No, but given the extremes of interest in them as businesses they'd be mad not to.

I don't think anyone expects the press to be moral these days, do they?

The papers aren't forced to report about them.

The media can’t leave them alone ? They won’t step out of the media spotlight

Would they take advice from anyone ?

It would be difficult to fault her wisdom and experience, she comes across as a sanguine soul these days.

I remember as a younger woman she couldn't breathe for being critiqued in the press - so it's no surprise she holds the views she does re her own children and is supportive of H&Ms decision. I think if they'd sought her advice and wisdom on their exit, they might have come through the whole thing with a lot less criticism and a lot more support. Given that the RF, has what? circa 1200 years of PR experience to draw on?

I still say that H&M would have been brilliant if it wasn’t for the tabloids and their constant hint of racism toward Meghan. The media may have denied it, but it was always just below the surface. M&H were far enough away from the succession to make a more interesting counterpoint to, let’s admit it, the more boring Cambridges. It is interesting that the media still can’t let them alone. What ever M & H do, the screaming red tops will always exert their ridiculous cruelty. All led of course by one P Morgan, who can’t get over the fact he didn’t receive a wedding invitation.

Yes, when she speaks of younger members trying to change things , she believes the old way is the best way ,

I should think that Anne could see through Meghan straightaway, and realised that the traditional ideas of Royal duty and service meant something completely different to the D&D of Sussex, and that these loose cannons would be better living the lifestyle they chose somewhere else.

I can't abide most of the RF but I have to say I have a bit of a soft spot for Anne. She didn't want her children to have titles because she wanted them to have a chance to be 'normal'. Obviously that's 'normal' by very rich and privileged standards but I see where she's coming from. And I love the fact that her grandchildren are allowed to be children. No pretending that they are always immaculately behaved. Toddler tantrums are accepted as part of being a toddler.

She doesn’t approve of young royals trying to change things

Yes. Good old Anne. Just quietly getting on and doing her bit.

Princess Anne is so like her mother. I would love her to take over the role of Queen should the time come. She would be very hard working and genuine.