Question Time audience member demands Harry and Meghan stop taking public money

A Question Time audience member was applauded after suggesting Prince Harry and Meghan should “immediately stop taking public money” after stepping down from the royal spotlight.

He was given a round of applause by the BBC One show’s other audience members, while another described the monarchy as a “soap opera” and the press has us wanting “our pound of flesh”.

The comments came after the panel was asked: ‘Is Harry and Meghan’s decision to step back as senior royals petulant and ill-judged?’

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex plan to split their time between the UK and America, while pulling themselves out of public life.

While the details of their new role within the royal family are yet to be determined they could still receive public funding for things such as royal travel and personal security.

Question Time host Fiona Bruce clarified that the Sussexes have stated they will work to become financially independent in the future as they look to raise baby Archie away from the spolight.

The audience member said: “I’m perfectly happy to see them live their own life, do whatever they want, they are humans like we all are.

“But shouldn’t they immediately stop taking public money as they step [aside] instead of, I think they said today, move towards that?”

Following the question, Ms Bruce asked panelist Brandon Lewis, Minister of State for Security and Deputy to Home Secretary, “who pays for the royals, certainly in terms of security… are you happy if they step back from their role… are you going to keep paying for their security?”

The Conservative MP, however, said it was “inappropriate” for him to comment on the security of the royals or any protected person.

But he did say: “All protection for the royal family and otherwise is done on a risk assessed basis. It is done independently, it does come within my remit but I’m afraid it would be inappropriate for me to comment.”

Mr Lewis added that he agreed with fellow guests Clive Lewis, Labour MP for Norwich South, and journalist Max Hastings, that the couple do “amazing work” and “that ultimately this is a matter for the royal family”.

He said: “One of the things we have seen throughout the history of our country is that royal family has evolved over the centuries and over the generations to reflect the country as it is at that given time and I am sure we will continue to see that.”

He added that it would be “difficult” for him to make any prediction on whether Harry and Meghan could effectively live independently in the near future or what that might look like.

Senior editor of The Economist, Anne McElvoy, said their image and role would all depend on whether they “want to be seen” as senior royals, but added that a “slimmed down” monarchy is “where we need to be headed”.

She said she thinks Prince Charles is right that a stripping back is happening anyway by “necessity not by choice” and posed the question of what is the future role for “those in the outer core” like Harry and Meghan?

Ms EcElvoy praised the couple and said effectively they could continue the work they do from a different platform as “semi” royals but said it could be “difficult to pull off” living partly in America.

In particular if there is internal conflict within the family and whether it’s salvageable, she added.

A second audience member said the monarchy is looked at as a “bargain” and we judge them in terms of their value as “entertainment as well as money being brought into the country”.

She said that was down to the media, and argued the press also “turned” on Meghan when she “stopped providing so many photo opportunities for the baby”.

Clive Lewis had earlier said how Meghan has been treated by the media has been “quite appalling” and sometimes what is reported is “so far from the truth”.

He added: “I think it’s up to them in the 21st Century if they wish step back from their royal duties.”

He said: “Let’s not forget Prince Harry’s mother was harassed severely, Princess Diana, by the media.

“He has seen this before, it has had a massive impact on his life and now it’s happening to his wife. He has every right and she has every right to step back from public life and do as they see fit.” 

Ms Bruce asked any members of the audience to raise their hand if they disagreed with the Sussexes’ decision and no-one did.