Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not Return as working members of the Royal Family

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February 2021 UPDATE: Buckingham Palace has released the following statement regarding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex‘s future as working members of the Royal Family.

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.

While all are saddened by their decision, The Duke and Duchess remain much loved members of the family.

Following the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s decision to step away last year as working members of The Royal Family, a 12-month review was agreed, and after conversations between the Duke and the Royal Family, their military, Commonwealth and Charitable associations which will now revert to the Queen, though they will continue as private patrons of some organizations.

January 2020

After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution. We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment. We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages. This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity. We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties. Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support.” – The Duke and Duchess of Sussex

The Queen said:

Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family.

My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.

Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives.

It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK.

These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days.

UPDATE-

Statement from Buckingham Palace

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are grateful to Her Majesty and the Royal Family for their ongoing support as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.

As agreed in this new arrangement, they understand that they are required to step back from Royal duties, including official military appointments. They will no longer receive public funds for Royal duties.

With The Queen’s blessing, the Sussexes will continue to maintain their private patronages and associations. While they can no longer formally represent The Queen, the Sussexes have made clear that everything they do will continue to uphold the values of Her Majesty.

The Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have shared their wish to repay Sovereign Grant expenditure for the refurbishment of Frogmore Cottage, which will remain their UK family home.

Buckingham Palace does not comment on the details of security arrangements. There are well established independent processes to determine the need for publicly-funded security.

This new model will take effect in the Spring of 2020.

Statement from HM The Queen

Following many months of conversations 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.

I recognise 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.

I want to thank them for all their dedicated work across this country, the Commonwealth and beyond, and am particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of the family.

It is my whole family’s hope that today’s agreement allows them to start building a happy and peaceful new life.

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One thought on “Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not Return as working members of the Royal Family

  1. Well, I can’t say that this surprises me. They have been doing nothing but complaining about how the press mistreats them to where they’re tired of it all. Very well, if they feel so put upon, so be it. This can’t be like the Japanese Imperial House where you’re like a prisoner and they control your every move. Harry and Meghan are free to choose to leave…. but then they should really leave. They’re both very wealthy so they’re not wanting for money. No public funds should be given to them and this includes the apanage that Prince Charles gives them from the Duchy of Cornwall. They can live in Fogmore Cottage, which was granted for their use by the Queen-as is her prerogative. However, they should return the public funds that were used to remodel the “cottage” before they can settle down to live in complete peace and tranquility in the British countryside raising their little family. Once free of their royal duties, they can also travel to California to visit Grandma whenever they wish, first class in a regular British Airways flight. I would be very happy if they chose to do all that. But I think that what they want is to continue to be royals with all the privileges and attention, only they want it their way and not the way the Queen and the royal family need it. Of course, it’s none of my business, but I don’t think I would respect them much after all their talk about reducing their “carbon footprint” and the other such fodder about charity that they’re fond of saying. Pity.

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