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.
“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.
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.
“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.
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.