Queen Elizabeth II has issued another statement on 18 January 2020 following Harry and Meghan’s decision to step down as senior members of the royal family.
Bye-bye Royal duties. Photo: Facebook/The Royal Family
Buckingham Palace has announced Harry and Meghan will no longer use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family.
According to royal commentator Victoria Arbiter, the couple will be known as ‘Harry, Duke of Sussex’ and ‘Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’.
They are required to step back from Royal duties, including official military appointments.
As a result, Harry and Meghan will no longer receive public funds.
However, the Duke and Duchess will repay £2.4m (about A$4.6 million) to the Sovereign Grant expenses, for refurbishments carried out on Frogmore Cottage which will remain their UK family home.
Buckingham Palace also said, ‘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.’
The Palace refused to comment about security arrangements in the UK and overseas.
Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be many loved members of The Queen’s family. Photo: Facebook/The Royal Family
Statement from HM The Queen
Queen Elizabeth has thanked Harry and Meghan for their dedicated work and expressed her pride in how Meghan has quickly become one of the family.
The Queen said Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much-loved members of her family.
18 January 2020
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.
