Prince Harry and Meghan drop royal duties, t*tles
London, Sunday
Prince Harry and Meghan will no longer use their HRH (abbreviation for His/Her Royal Highness) titles and will not receive public funds for royal duties, Buckingham Palace has announced.
The couple will also no longer formally represent the Queen.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex intend to repay £2.4 million (Sh268 billion) of taxpayer money for the refurbishment of Frogmore Cottage, which will remain their UK family home, the statement added.
The new arrangement comes into effect in spring this year, the palace said.
The statement comes after the Queen held talks with the couple on Monday about their future, following their announcement that they wanted to “step back” as senior royals and divide their time between the UK and Canada.
The Queen said following “many months of conversations and more recent discussions” she was “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,” the statement continued.
She thanked them for their “dedicated work”, adding that she was “particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of the family.”
In a separate statement, Buckingham Palace said: “The Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family.”
Commercial rent
HRH is used as part of the title of some members of the royal family.
As well as repaying the cost of refurbishing Frogmore Cottage, the couple will pay a “commercial rent” for the property.
Buckingham Palace said the duke and duchess understood they were required to withdraw from royal duties, including official military appointments.
“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,” it said.
The statement added that the pair would continue to maintain their private patronages and associations. -BBC
