Prince Harry and Meghan Markle gave up the royal life in search of a more normal life away from Buckingham Palace and earned their own income.
But are they still the Duke and Duchess of Sussex?
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Are Meghan and Harry still the Duke and Duchess of Sussex?
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle officially hold the title of “Her Highness,” but they don’t actively use HRH.
Both have held the titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex since leaving the UK, which they called “Megxit”.
These titles were bestowed by the Queen upon marriage, and an Act of Parliament was required to take them away.
The law would have to be passed through both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, but royal sources claimed it was “unlikely” to happen.
The last time this happened was in 1917 when the members turned their backs on Britain.
However, the couple chose to introduce themselves by their first names rather than Duke or Duchess.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry can’t wear military uniform at official functions after being stripped of his honorary title in a Megxit review.
“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have confirmed to Her Majesty The Queen that they will not be reinstated as members of the Royal Family,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement.
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“Following a conversation with the Duke, the Queen wrote a letter confirming that it would be impossible for her to continue with the responsibilities and obligations that accompany a life of public service by stepping away from her royal duties.
“Accordingly, the Honorary Army appointments and royal patronage held by the Dukes and Duchesses will be returned to the Queen before being redistributed to active members of the Royal Family.
“Everyone is saddened by their decision, but the Duke and Duchess will remain part of the family.”
The Duke of Sussex is said to be “shaky” at the prospect of losing his title and patronage, and the Palace has confirmed he will lose his honorary title.
Harry and Meghan, who announced last week that they were expecting another baby, have reportedly “resigned” to lose the role.
The couple had some 18 royal and private patronage until the palace’s announcement.
What did Meghan Markle and Prince Harry say in their statement?
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have released their own statement on social media in response to Buckingham Palace’s statement that the couple will not be returning.
“As evidenced by their work over the past year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain committed to their duty and service to the United Kingdom and the world, providing continued support to the organizations they represent, regardless of their public duties. I’ve been playing a role.”
“We can all live a life of service. Service is universal,” he added.
Royal patrons: What titles do Harry and Meghan still hold?
What did they lose and what did they keep?
Harry:
A former front-line soldier in Afghanistan, Harry is no longer Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Marine Corps, Honorary Air Force Commander at RAF Honington, or Honorary Commander-in-Chief of Small Ships at Royal Naval Command. and diving.
He also had to relinquish his role as president of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust.
The Duke will no longer be a patron of the Rugby Football Union and Rugby Football League.
Harry is also not a patron of the London Marathon Charitable Trust.
The term of office is three years, and can be renewed twice for nine years. It was decided that it will end in January and not be renewed.
He has so far held the following personal patrons or presidents: African Parks, Dolen Cymru, Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund, Invictus Games, MapAction, Rhino Conservation Botswana charity, Sentebale, and WellChild.
It is not yet known if Harry will maintain two other rugby-related sponsorships of the Rugby Football Union All Schools Program and the Rugby Football Union Injured Players Foundation.
Megan:
The Queen handed Meghan two royal patronages in 2019, but the Duchess lost these: the Royal National Theater and the Commonwealth University Association.
Meghan will also have to relinquish her role as vice president of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust.
She maintains two personal sponsorships: Smart Works and the animal charity Mayhew.
