Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been stripped of their royal titles

Miu von Furstenberg 5 Min Read
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry

The Queen has stripped Meghan Markle and Prince Harry of all their royal patronages after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex confirmed they won't return as full-time working royals at the end of the 12-month review period.

Meghan and Prince Harry have effectively put an end to speculation about their future role in the Royal Family by announcing to the Queen they have no intention to return to royal duties at the end of the Megxit 12-month review period. As a result, the Queen took the decision to sever the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's links to their royal and military patronages.

A statement issued by Buckingham Palace today read: “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have confirmed to Her Majesty The Queen that they will not be returning as working members of The Royal Family.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex Standing with King Tupou VI and Queen NanasipauÔu TukuÔaho of Tonga at the farewell with His Majesty King Tupou VI on October 26, 2018 in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

“Following conversations with The Duke, The Queen has written confirming that in stepping away from the work of The Royal Family it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service.

“The honorary military appointments and Royal patronages held by The Duke and Duchess will therefore be returned to Her Majesty, before being redistributed among working members of The Royal Family.”

In this statement, the Queen and the rest of the Royal Family expressed their feelings following Meghan and Harry's definitive departure.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex depart Canada House on January 07, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

The announcement ended by saying: “While all are saddened by their decision, The Duke and Duchess remain much-loved members of the family.”

Minutes after the palace made this groundbreaking announcement, Meghan and Harry issued their own statement.

A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said: “As evidenced by their work over the past year, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain committed to their duty and service to the UK and around the world, and have offered their continued support to the organizations they have represented regardless of official role.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry
In this handout image provided by The Invictus Games Foundation, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex prepare to watch the first pitch as they attend the Boston Red Sox against the New York Yankees match at the London Stadium on June 29, 2019 in London, England. The historic two-game “You Just Can’t Beat The Person Who Never Gives Up” series marks the sport’s first games ever played in Europe and The Invictus Games Foundation has been selected as the official charity of Mitel and MLB London Series 2019. (Photo by Handout/Chris Jackson/Invictus Games Foundation via Getty Images)

“We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.”

Following the Queen's decision, Prince Harry has lost his three honorary military titles of Captain-General of the Royal Marines, Honorary Air Force Commandant of RAF base Honington and Honorary Commodore–in–Chief of Small Ships and Diving.

He also had to relinquish his links to patronages passed on to him by other members of the Royal Family or with royal links – The Rugby Football Union and The Rugby Football League.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Creative Industries and Business Reception at the British High Commissioners residence to meet with representatives of the British and South African business communities, including local youth entrepreneurs, on day ten of their tour in Africa on October 2, 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Dominic Lipinski – Pool/Getty Images)

Similarly, Meghan has lost the two patronages inherited from the Queen in January 2019 – the National Theatre and the Association of Commonwealth Universities.

Moreover, following the end of the Megxit 12-month review period, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will no longer be President and Vice President of the Queen's Commonwealth Trust.


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