Suddenly Royal, or Suddenly Stupid

Well, here we go again.? In the latest episode, “King” David, or Drew, talked many times about wanting to move to the Isle of Man permanently and getting a job driving taxi and/or being on the radio.? It is pure bunk.? I moved there with my family in 1994.? At the time, I had the personal recommendation of the British Consul and still had to write what was, in effect, an essay explaining why it would be good for the Isle to let me in.? I had heard that it was even more difficult to be admitted now, so I checked it out.

Isle of Man 1994 Yearbook, which KD obviously never read.

Isle of Man 1994 Yearbook, which KD obviously never read.

The only chance KD has is General Migrant, since his claim of kinship is not a grandparent, which is the most distant relative allowed for claiming kinship.? According to the official Isle of Man government site (not KD’s “official” site), requirements for “indefinite leave to remain” on the Isle under General Migrant are (click here):

The applicant must have spent a continuous period of 5 years lawfully in the Isle of Man, of which the most recent period must have been spent with leave as a Tier 1 (General) Migrant, in any combination of the following categories:
(i) as a Tier 1 (General) Migrant,
(ii) as a Highly skilled Migrant,
(iii) as a Work Permit Holder,
(iv) [Not used],
(v) [Not used],
(vi) as a Writer, Composer or Artist,
(vii) as a Tier 2 (General) Migrant, a Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) Migrant or a Tier 2 (Sportsperson) Migrant, or
(viii) as a Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) Migrant

Work permit holders don’t include taxi drivers or “radio personalities,” obviously, so what are his chances of getting a temporary “right to remain” under that category and hanging in for 5 years to make it permanent?? Since the changes to the law in 2010, they are nil.? Here’s what it says: ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?? Tier 1 (General) Migrants? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? This route is now closed except for indefinite leave to remain applications.
That means that unless he was already there as a General Migrant in 2010 when the law was changed, that road onto the Isle is closed to him.? Thank God.

Perhaps KD might be able to hold a job for 30-48 days, but that’s it.? So it’s all a joke, just like KD.? No immigration, no job.? It looks like he didn’t check it out, TLC didn’t check it out or they both ignored the laws.? Most likely, there was no intention of KD and family moving to the IOM, just making a little “Reality TV” drama.A real knighting by a king.

Then came KD”s plan for an “investiture” of “knights,” an incredible farce.? Lord K thought it was a good idea.? Since he bought his title and KD has previously tried to sell “knighthoods” as “King of Mann” for 40,000 pounds, perhaps he thought he would get a kick-back for titles sold.? But KD had a hard time giving them away.? Stu Peters, a personality on Manx Radio accepted, possibly taking the mick out (pulling the leg) of KD, because it would make an interesting radio program.? Mol Holmes, the kind fellow who loaned KD a bathtub for the Castletown Tin Bath Race, refused.? Typically a Manxman who says much with few words, he merely stated, “That’s pushing it a bit.”? But “Push” is KD’s middle name.? Or one of them.? I have a few more I could add.

After a ludicrous rehearsal at the ruins of Peel Castle (not named in the show), he decides to ask his “royal etiquette expert,” Lady Cruella, I mean Lady C, if he should go through with it.? For once, I agreed with her.? “That is the official act of an acknowledged monarchy,” she told him.? “You are not an acknowledged monarch.? You are a claimant.? No phony investitures.”? The whale started to blubber.? “I don’t want to be an embarrassment,” he said.? WHAT!? That’s all he is.? Without embarrassment, he wouldn’t exist.? Lady C notes that European men don’t break into tears so easily.? It should be noted that neither to American men with cajones.

You're live on Manx Radio!

You’re live on Manx Radio!

I did love when Stu Peters interviewed him on Manx Radio.? Promised knighthood or not, the velvet glove was off the mailed fist.? As KD sat, doing some spastic boogie with his hands before the interview, he bragged about not preparing.? It was soon obvious.? Stu stated that the House of Keys had categorically rejected KD’s claim, then asked KD three things he would do as king, if they suddenly did an about-face.? KD was like a deer in the headlights, sitting there with a typically stupid look on his face and saying nothing.? Finally, Stu threw him a bone, asking if he would reduce income taxes.? KD took the bait and said he would reduce them.? Guess what?? the Isle of Man is a tax haven, having taxes far lower than the UK or Ireland, and the USA.? With a maximum rate or 20% and no capital gains or inheritance taxes, many rich seek to live there for that reason.? But KD was too stupid to even check out such basics about his “kingdom.”? His closing statements were well-considered to win friends and influence people, especially the Manx.? “I am the king.? That’s a fact,” he pronounced on air.? “You’d better get used to it.? I’m the king and I’m here to stay.”? Afterwards, when talking with his wife, he said he thought the interview went okay.? Another case of a grand delusion.

KD continued to display lack of class, and poor taste to the end of the episode.? When it came to taking his wife out for a special night on the town, what did KD and his wife wear?? Jeans.? While America is more casual in attire than the Isle of Man, we are not all slobs.? When we lived on the Isle and went to a quality restaurant, I wore a coat and tie.? And not with jeans.? Maybe he was taking Pam to that Scottish restaurant in Douglas: McDonald’s.? Probably splurged and bought her a Big Mac.? And three for himself, to maintain his impressive physique.? Or should that be Himself?

In closing, let me quote from other sources on the Net and comment.

According to Fox News:? Howe filed a claim with Her Majesty’s Stationary Office on Dec. 20, 2006, they published the claim in Queen Elizabeth II’s paper of record, the London Gazette, and after no one objected, they sent him a crown, robe and anointing spoon for the ceremony, he said.?”It kind of blew up into something big,” Howe said. “I’m certainly not challenging the Queen’s authority or sovereignty over the island. I haven’t amassed an army or anything like that to invade, so I’m certainly not a threat at all.”

I'm your king.  Resistance is futile.

I’m your king. Resistance is futile.

Although I’ve already discussed why no one responded, who the heck sent him “a crown, a robe and an anointing spoon?”? I will go out on a limb here and definitely state it wasn’t the Queen.? As to KD not “amassing an army,” I’d love to see him and any idiots he might garner to invade the Isle go up against the United Kingdom Special Forces. ? Really.? I’d love to see it.? Actually, the Manx wouldn’t need any help from the UK to kick his “royal” butt.

According to TLC, KD got an invitation to the Duke and Duchess’s royal wedding.? Why hasn’t he shown it anywhere, including on his official website (Click here)?? Smoke and mirrors, smoke and mirrors.

Next time I’m going to address KD’s ties to?The Sovereign Magistral Order of the Temple of Solomon.? One good joke deserves another.? Or, to paraphrase the quote attributed to Admiral Farragut, “History and facts be damned, full speed ahead.”

3 thoughts on “Suddenly Royal, or Suddenly Stupid

  1. Thanks for your demystification of the TV series ‘Suddenly Royal’. It is good to have a perspective from an American who has lived on the Isle of Man and who knows the history. The question of Drew Howe’s claim to the Kingship of Mann needs to be clarified as a reality TV series is never going to dwell on genealogical detail especially if it comes in the way of a good TV ratings. From first meeting, Drew and his family, it was clear that the series is not serious – it is a humorous tale of a charming American family encountering British traditional values. It is entertainment and not education and certainly not a court of law.

    Most people rejected his claim or humoured Drew without any knowledge or understanding of his case. My own take is that the Island is suffering economically due to the decline in the financial sector and is reliant on unstable businesses like e-gaming. As a matter of survival, the Manx Government should explore the possibility of any opportunity to promote tourism. The (British) Royal Family bring in billions of pounds of revenue to the UK mainly through tourism even though they have little or no political power. This is an argument used to justify the ?33 million of public financial support for the Queen. So where Drew’s claim goes, I don’t know but I do know that the series has shown the Island to be as beautiful as it is and this will benefit our Island community. What would not be helpful to tourism is if we (Manxies) were shown to be snobs sharply dismissing a harmless claim without knowing the facts and in particular misunderstanding the context which is about entertainment and not a territorial take-over.

    However, the facts are important and are follows:
    1. Had the title of ‘Lord of Mann’, as it was then styled, not been compulsorily purchased by George III from my ancestor, Lady Charlotte Murray, 8th Baron Strange in 1765, the title would have gone to my grandfather, John Drummond, 15th Baron Strange and would now be with my cousin, Adam Drummond, 17th Baron Strange. Just as the Strange title goes through the female line (my mother being a co-heiress on my grandfather’s death), so does the sovereignty of Man and the British monarchy.
    2. At no stage has anyone in our family including my grandfather claimed Lordship or Kingship of Man. As my mother, Heather Currey stated on camera the Queen is the Lord of Man. Like many other comments, this was edited out.
    3. My mother also pointed out that Drew’s claim came from his descent via an earlier line (Thomas Stanley, 1st Early of Derby) from 500 years ago. So had there been any grounds for a claim it would have gone via my grandfather to my cousin, Adam and Drew would be in a very long line of junior claimants.
    4. Drew questioned the legitimacy of the sale of the sovereignty of Man to the crown in 1765. As per your comments about ‘Lord Kevin’ and others, there may be some grounds to question the legitimacy of the sale of certain titles. For example, there is no constitutional provision to allow the Queen to sell her sovereignty to a third party. So Drew makes an interesting point about the legitimacy of the transfer of the title that could be explored.
    5. I should clarify that the film crew contacted my mother with a request that she provided tea for the Howes. We did not seek them out with any rival claim. The film crew asked that my son, Cosmo and I (Robert Currey) joined her. (Your article suggests that I was married to my mother and that I have a son called Richard).

    • First, I do apologize for my error. Since TLC gave did no give any information on you or your family except to say that getting your “blessing” of Drew’s claim was important to him, it took some research even to find your tie to the Isle of Man. Of course TLC edited out the part where your mother said the Queen is the Lord of Man. I do apologize for any offense given to you or your family, but I do not apologize for any offense given to Drew, the “King of Mann.” I am in France now and until the middle of the month, but will post your message on my website with the apology when I return. Thank you for you message.

      • Hi Ron,

        Thanks for getting back to me. I am not in any way offended. I enjoyed your articles.

        I just wanted to correct some facts and add to the background which could not be known when viewing the series. It was good to have someone who was paying attention to the history as it has been papered over or misunderstood. It would be great to have the record set straight.

        with best wishes

        Robert

        Robert Currey
        Robert@equinoxastrology.com
        The Mill House, Santon, Isle of Man IM4 1EX, British Isles
        Mobile: +44 7624 455650

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