H & M have agency to find happiness in this life whether outside or behind palace walls. They chose to strike out on their own when they resigned from their official positions within the RF...as is their perfect right.
With that decision they were briefed on what concessions and forfeitures they would face if their decision remained unchanged after a 12-month wait period to allow them space and time to review and consider their options. They chose to remain on a path of independence. Ceremonial ties to various patronages were reassigned along with changes in how they could use their royal titles. These changes were not sprung upon them of of the blue.
Aside from the dreadful trash tabloids who treat celebrities pretty shabby to turn a buck, it looks like H & M essentially got what they wanted. They are free from stuffy royal conventions and protocol to engage in whatever ventures they choose and to speak freely about political and social issues that would have been blocked by palace PR watchdogs had they remained “working royals.”
They now have the freedom to peddle themselves out to the highest bidder on their own terms and to sue anyone they please without having to obtain the Queen’s blessing or suffer her wrath. The charities they lend their names to won’t have to be pre-approved or vetted by palace dust mummies who decide on what is considered “appropriate”. These freedoms are what have been gained by the couple and in this regard they should not face scrutiny.
But make no mistake. They will trade on their royal status for commercial success with lucrative deals they cut with entertainment media giants like Netflix, Spotify, etc. They will charge huge sums for personal appearance and speaker gigs to make money. Who cares? So long as they are honest about their motives and endeavors it should bother no one...trouble is, they are not honest and will continue to paint the false narrative that they are victims, which they are not.
I don’t see them as heroes nor victims. Their brand and style of self-aggrandizement is as self-serving as that of the RF...just different with nicer weather and less pomp. Same shit. Different code.