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In an update on the Sussexes’ future, Buckingham Palace has confirmed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will drop their HRH titles when they step away from their roles as senior royals.
The Queen said in a statement that she is pleased to announce that “together we have found a constructive and supportive way forward for my grandson and his family. Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family.”
Notably, the Queen also shared she recognised “the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life.
“I want to thank them for all their dedicated work across this country, the Commonwealth and beyond, and am particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of the family.
“It is my whole family’s hope that today’s agreement allows them to start building a happy and peaceful new life.”
Below the Queen’s statement Buckingham Palace outlined more details of what to expect moving forward, adding Harry and Meghan were grateful to the Queen and the Royal Family for their “ongoing support as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.”
The Palace details that the couple will new arrangement will see the couple step back from all royal duties including official military appointments and will no longer receive public funding for royal duties.
While the couple will no longer formally represent the Queen, they will maintain their private patronages and associations and the Sussexes “have made clear that everything they do will continue to uphold the values of Her Majesty.”
Adding, “The Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family.”
Interestingly the couple have announced they also wish to repay the Sovereign Grant expenditure that was used to refurbish their Frogmore Cottage home at Windsor, which will remain their family home in the UK.
The new arrangement is set to take effect in “Spring 2020” – our autumn, in New Zealand.
The Queen says she is “particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of the family.” (Image: Getty)
Harry and Meghan’s announcement that they were planning to step back as senior members of the Royal Family shocked the world when it was announced on January 8.
The couple shared the royal bombshell in a statement on Instagram explaining that “after many months of reflection and internal discussion, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution.”
The couple revealed they planned to “step back” as senior members of the royal family and become finally independent while continuing to support The Queen.
They also explained they plan to split their time between the UK and North America and instructed their followers to visit their newly launched website for more information on their future plans.
Following the announcement Buckingham Palace released a terse two-sentence statement saying discussion were still in the “early stages” and that it was a complication matter.
A few days later the Queen convened a four-way crisis meeting at her Sandringham estate, where she is currently staying, with Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry.
The arrangement will see Harry and Meghan lose their HRH titles. (Image: Getty)
Following the meeting the Queen released an unexpectedly personal statement which revealed the family members had had very “constructive” discussions about the Susssexes’ future.
Adding, “My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.
“Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives.
“It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK.”
WATCH: Duchess Meghan says she never thought becoming a royal would be easy. Story continues below…
While the Sussexes’ news came as a shock to many, for those following the increasingly strained and tumultuous relationship the royal couple, have had with the press, public opinion and royal life over the past year, it may have felt not entirely unexpected.
The announcement comes after months of intense media scrutiny, heightened after an ITV documentary on their October tour of Southern Africa aired.
The royal pair made several candid confessions in the doco Harry and Meghan: An African Journey, admitting they’ve struggled behind the scenes as working members of the royal family.
Meghan told presenter Tom Bradby at the time that she never thought becoming a member of the royal family would be easy, but she thought it would at least be fair, referring to the intense scrutiny and vitriol she’s endured over her first few years as a part of the royal family.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry also spoke of the pressure he feels as a member of the royal family and, in particular, the media’s presence which he said reminds him of “the bad stuff” – referring to the scrutiny his mother Princess Diana was under and ultimately her death in Paris in 1997 after being pursued by paparazzi.
“I think being part of this family, in this role and this job – every time I see a camera, every single time I hear a click, every single time I see a flash – it takes me straight back.
“So in that respect, it’s the worst reminder of her life as opposed to the best.”
