Living next to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is basically a full-time job in and of itself! The Sun reported that families living in close proximity to Harry and Meghan's Berkshire, England residence were provided a strict list of 'do's and don't's,' regarding casual royal interactions.
The couple considers the recently renovated Frogmore Cottage, a reclusive compound on the grounds of Frogmore House and Gardens, their permanent home. Maintaining privacy has been a huge prerogative for the pair, and their staff are apparently going out of their way to secure it. Residents in the area shared that during a community meeting, employees of Harry and Meghan's estate staff hosted an informative presentation outlining some behaviors that are unacceptable in Prince Archie's parents presence.
The requests span from not petting their dogs to refraining from asking questions about the newborn royal baby. Understandable, but oddly unconducive to building personal relationships within their community. Here is the full summarized list of requests:
- Do not approach the royal couple and instigate a conversation
- Keep responses to 'good morning' or other quick pleasantries if spoken to
- Do not pet the royals' dogs, even if they run up to you
- Do not offer to walk Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's dogs
- Do not ask to see Prince Archie or offer to babysit
- Don't send mail to Frogmore Cottage or post anything in their letterbox
Unnamed neighbors are not too happy about the guidelines. Apparently even the Queen isn't as restrictive about social interactions and declining to pet their dogs is seen as a step too far in the community.
The Queen always chats to neighbours and even has tea with people on the estate as she’s very friendly with them. The ‘not petting the dog’ is particularly strange. Maybe Harry doesn’t want people approaching them and using their dogs as an excuse to talk. And of course the dog with no name keeps its privacy as they won’t tell us its name!
When requested for comment, Buckingham Palace officials asserted that Harry and Meghan did not order these rules be put in place, but their staff was going out of their way to ease the community's transition into having royals in their midst.
The Duke and Duchess had no knowledge of this briefing and no involvement in the concept or the content. This was a well-intentioned briefing to help a small local community know how to welcome two new residents and help them with any potential encounter. There was no handout or letter. The talk was undertaken by a local manager and was widely viewed as being well received.
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