The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will no longer be working members of the Royal family. In a statement released Saturday, Buckingham Palace has said that Harry and Meghan are “required to step back from royal duties.”
Under the new arrangement agreed with Harry and Meghan and her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the couple will relinquish their “His and Her Royal Highness” titles and no longer receive public funds for royal duties or formally represent the Queen at official engagements. According to the statement, Harry and Meghan have pledged that “everything they do will continue to uphold the values of Her Majesty.”
This historic announcement comes after a week of negotiations following the couple’s wishes to “step back” from their royals as senior members of the British royal family and live a more independent life.
“Following many months of conversation and more recent discussions, I am pleased 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,” said Queen Elizabeth II in an unprecedented statement.
“I recognize 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,” Her Majesty continued.
The Queen went on to thank Harry and Meghan for their “dedicated work across this country, the Commonwealth and beyond,” and said she was “particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of the family.”
The 93-year-old monarch concluded the groundbreaking statement by saying that she hopes the agreement will allow Harry and Meghan “to start building a happy and peaceful life.”
The Sussexes will mostly be based in North America with Frogmore Cottage remaining as their U.K. home. They plan to repay the 2.4 million pounds of taxpayers’ money used on the refurbishment of the cottage and privately meet its’ running costs.
While the couple will retain their duke and duchess titles, it is yet to be announced whether they will still be able to use the name “Sussex Royal” now that they are no longer associated with the royal brand.
Buckingham Palace has said that the new arrangement will take effect in the Spring of 2020.
