As the Duke swaps the English aristocracy for North American meritocracy, he might struggle to fit in

The Royal departure deal feels like a mini-abdication: no public funds, no HRH, no Royal duties, no representing the Queen and the Sussexes have to pay rent if they want to go on living at home. Even my parents never made me do that.

It’s all very different from what the Duke and Duchess posted on their website a few days ago proposing a half-in, half-out business arrangement that, upon reflection, looks stunningly naive. The Palace has obviously said: “Sorry but it’s all or nothing,” and they get almost nothing except their celebrity and the freedom to chash-in on it, which must have its consolations. In short: “You can host the Oscars but not as HRH.”

The deal offers something to everyone – almost. It’s good for the monarchy because it allows it to define its borders. If the Sussexes had been permitted to come and go at will, not only would their own status have been unclear but a degree of institutional integrity would’ve been lost, too: imagine a Pope announcing that he’s Pope on weekdays but would like the freedom to spend the weekends with his wife and kids. Clerics and royals are not “jobs” but vocations that define every part of your life for your entire life. This had to be made clear.