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Honorary appointments and patronages would be redistributed among the remaining royals.
London:
Prince Harry and his American wife Meghan have left their royal duties for good, Buckingham Palace said on Friday, just over a year after shaking up the British monarchy by announcing its intention to “step down” from their roles.
Queen Elizabeth II has ordered the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as they are officially called, to relinquish their honorary titles and patronages after confirming that they will not return as members of the Royal Family.
The couple moved to the United States last year, in a move dubbed “Megxit” by the British press, and have since embarked on several business ventures, including lucrative times with the streaming platforms Netflix and Spotify.
At an emergency summit in January 2020 with the Queen, Harry’s father, Prince Charles and Prince William’s brother, Harry agreed they would stop using their ‘Royal Highness’ titles and the ‘Royal Highness’ brand. Sussex Royal ”.
But senior family members have vowed to review the situation a year later – with the move now made permanent, days after Harry and Meghan announced on Valentine’s Day that they were expecting their second child.
“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have confirmed to Her Majesty The Queen that they will not be returning as active members of the Royal Family,” Buckingham Palace announced.
“The Queen has written to confirm that by moving away from the work of the royal family, it is not possible to continue to carry out the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service.”
He noted that their honorary appointments and patronages would be redistributed among the remaining royals.
– “The service is universal” –
However, it looks like the couple will retain their official titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and Harry remains sixth on the throne, with no change in the line of succession.
“Although all are saddened by their decision, the Duke and Duchess remain much loved members of the family,” the palace statement added.
The move means Harry, 36, who served as a soldier in Afghanistan and is passionate about the welfare of veterans, must relinquish several honorary military titles related to the Royal Marines, the Air Force and Marine.
Earlier this month, he officially settled a defamation complaint against the publisher of Mail On Sunday and the MailOnline website over reports he had snubbed soldiers since his retirement from royal life.
A spokesperson for the couple said on Friday they had shown they “remain committed to their duty and service in the UK and to the world”.
The statement noted that they had offered their continued support to the organizations they had represented “regardless of their official role.”
“We can all live a life of service. Service is universal,” he added.
– “ intimate ” interview –
The couple’s move to the United States followed reports that Meghan was deeply unhappy with life at the centuries-old royal institution and growing complaints from the couple about media intrusion.
But his sudden nature rocked the monarchy and is said to have caused acrimony with Harry’s brother, William, who is second to the throne.
Harry and Meghan have launched several lawsuits against British news outlets alleging a privacy breach, a lawsuit ending this month in a victory over Associated Newspapers.
The couple are set to give an “intimate” interview about their life with American host Oprah Winfrey.
– ‘We supported our work’ –
In addition to his military titles, Harry has also held positions in the Commonwealth and other patronages, most notably with the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and the Rugby Football League.
“The RFU has greatly appreciated their contribution to the promotion and support of the game,” the organization said on Twitter.
Harry will remain the patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, the organization for disabled veterans has confirmed.
Meanwhile, Meghan has also been given honorary roles after marrying Harry in a fairytale ceremony at Windsor Castle in May 2018, including becoming a patron of the National Theater.
The acclaimed theater group also thanked her for the support offered during her shorter-than-expected tenure and said the process of appointing a new boss has begun.
Jennie Bond, former BBC royal correspondent, said the loss of titles would be a big blow to the couple.
“It’s going to upset Harry, obviously, especially the military (losses),” she told the broadcaster.
(Except for the title, this story was not edited by NDTV staff and is posted from a syndicated feed.)
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