The Duke & Duchess of Sussex A recent poll found that 60% of
Canadians would be supportive
of Prince Harry becoming
Governor General of Canada. The
poll result is interesting in its
own right with younger
Canadians being just as
supportive of the idea as middle-
aged Canadians. But would this
even be a good idea?
This question is really two separate questions: 1. Would it be
good for the office of the governor general, and 2. would it be
good for Prince Harry and Meghan themselves? For once the
question of constitutionality doesn't butt in; pretty much
anyone can be Governor General of Canada.
Canadians would be supportive
of Prince Harry becoming
Governor General of Canada. The
poll result is interesting in its
own right with younger
Canadians being just as
supportive of the idea as middle-
aged Canadians. But would this
even be a good idea?
This question is really two separate questions: 1. Would it be
good for the office of the governor general, and 2. would it be
good for Prince Harry and Meghan themselves? For once the
question of constitutionality doesn't butt in; pretty much
anyone can be Governor General of Canada.
Sussex, NB. Photo Credit: Rangeley So lets start with what the
hypothetical appointment
would bring to the position of
governor general. For starters it
would bring to the position
someone who is experienced in
doing the job. This doesn't
count for nothing as many of the early missteps taken by
Julie Payette were the result of her not being properly
prepared for what she was getting into. There aren't many
jobs that prepare you to be governor general after all. Being a
member of the Royal Family is one of them. Prince Harry
would also bring a greater degree of attention to the activities
of the governor general. This is needed as governors general
advocate for many causes and charitable organizations and
acts to try and bring Canadians together. This role is neutered
when no one knows what the representatives of the Crown are
doing. This leads to a final point: the office of the governor
general is also a more effective counter to the prime minister
of the day when the person in that office is well-known. While
we have had many good governors general over the years the
combination of relative pre-appointment anonymity, media
neglect, and unfounded suspicions of partisan appointment
have often left the governor general in a prestige deficit
compared to the prime minister of the day. A prime minister
that is a little less sure they have the public's support to push
the governor general around would be a positive
improvement.
hypothetical appointment
would bring to the position of
governor general. For starters it
would bring to the position
someone who is experienced in
doing the job. This doesn't
count for nothing as many of the early missteps taken by
Julie Payette were the result of her not being properly
prepared for what she was getting into. There aren't many
jobs that prepare you to be governor general after all. Being a
member of the Royal Family is one of them. Prince Harry
would also bring a greater degree of attention to the activities
of the governor general. This is needed as governors general
advocate for many causes and charitable organizations and
acts to try and bring Canadians together. This role is neutered
when no one knows what the representatives of the Crown are
doing. This leads to a final point: the office of the governor
general is also a more effective counter to the prime minister
of the day when the person in that office is well-known. While
we have had many good governors general over the years the
combination of relative pre-appointment anonymity, media
neglect, and unfounded suspicions of partisan appointment
have often left the governor general in a prestige deficit
compared to the prime minister of the day. A prime minister
that is a little less sure they have the public's support to push
the governor general around would be a positive
improvement.
Flag of Sussex (England) But all that said, would it be good for
Prince Harry and his young family?
This is where the idea falls apart
because I don't think it would be.
Prince Harry has a complicated
relationship with the media. In order
to do his job as a royal he needs the
media but as a son, and now as a husband and father, he has
seen the media hurt those he cares about. Prince Harry was
unable to protect his mother from the British tabloids and he
has begun to see the limits to how much he can protect his
wife and son. His situation evokes enough pathos to strangle
an elephant. To put him in a position which greatly needs
more media attention would be cruel. For her part Meghan
would be thrust back into the position of trying to balance
being a new mother, having a career, and being a royal. It is
hard enough to pull off two of those things at the same time
without adding a third. And Prince Harry and Meghan have
only been married a short time. It very well could put too
much strain on their marriage. And the last thing the Royal
Family needs is another messy divorce.
Prince Harry and his young family?
This is where the idea falls apart
because I don't think it would be.
Prince Harry has a complicated
relationship with the media. In order
to do his job as a royal he needs the
media but as a son, and now as a husband and father, he has
seen the media hurt those he cares about. Prince Harry was
unable to protect his mother from the British tabloids and he
has begun to see the limits to how much he can protect his
wife and son. His situation evokes enough pathos to strangle
an elephant. To put him in a position which greatly needs
more media attention would be cruel. For her part Meghan
would be thrust back into the position of trying to balance
being a new mother, having a career, and being a royal. It is
hard enough to pull off two of those things at the same time
without adding a third. And Prince Harry and Meghan have
only been married a short time. It very well could put too
much strain on their marriage. And the last thing the Royal
Family needs is another messy divorce.
Invictus Games Logo So Prince Harry should never be
Governor General of Canada?
Well, I didn't say that. The
problems I mentioned above are
mostly temporary considerations.
Archie will grow up. Prince Harry and Meghan will hit their
stride. And the media in Canada will continue to be a bit
tamer than their British cousins (I credit the cold winters).
While not a good idea in the immediate future I think in about
ten to fifteen years it would be welcome to hear of the
appointment of 'His Excellency, Prince Harry, Governor
General of Canada'.
Governor General of Canada?
Well, I didn't say that. The
problems I mentioned above are
mostly temporary considerations.
Archie will grow up. Prince Harry and Meghan will hit their
stride. And the media in Canada will continue to be a bit
tamer than their British cousins (I credit the cold winters).
While not a good idea in the immediate future I think in about
ten to fifteen years it would be welcome to hear of the
appointment of 'His Excellency, Prince Harry, Governor
General of Canada'.
And to a certain extent events could
nudge everyone in that direction. Prince
Harry and Meghan want a reduced role
as members of the Royal Family. The
simplest way would be to have their
portfolio of duties centred on Canada
which would cut down on international
travel a bit (and keep the British tabloid
bottom-feeders far away). Prince Charles' Canadian charities
would be a good fit for this. Living here, working here, and
(dare I dream) potentially seeking Canadian citizenship would
all increase support for such an appointment. Because as
much as people talk about Canadians being apathetic about
their monarchy that is only true when members of the Royal
Family aren't here. The awkward situation of the governor
general being over-shadowed by a member of the Royal
Family doing much the same job as them part-time but
getting more traction could only go on so long before the idea
of going through with this appointment comes up again.
And who knows where it would end? If Prince Harry breathes
new life into the position why replace him after the customary
five years? Or ten years? Or ever? Maybe we would actually
have a governor general that gets enough time to really make
the position shine.
Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour
nudge everyone in that direction. Prince
Harry and Meghan want a reduced role
as members of the Royal Family. The
simplest way would be to have their
portfolio of duties centred on Canada
which would cut down on international
travel a bit (and keep the British tabloid
bottom-feeders far away). Prince Charles' Canadian charities
would be a good fit for this. Living here, working here, and
(dare I dream) potentially seeking Canadian citizenship would
all increase support for such an appointment. Because as
much as people talk about Canadians being apathetic about
their monarchy that is only true when members of the Royal
Family aren't here. The awkward situation of the governor
general being over-shadowed by a member of the Royal
Family doing much the same job as them part-time but
getting more traction could only go on so long before the idea
of going through with this appointment comes up again.
And who knows where it would end? If Prince Harry breathes
new life into the position why replace him after the customary
five years? Or ten years? Or ever? Maybe we would actually
have a governor general that gets enough time to really make
the position shine.
Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour
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