Harry and Meghan’s exit deal
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be banned from using their HRH titles and will ‘‘no longer receive public funds’’, in exchange for striking commercial deals under a historic royal peace deal announced yesterday.
In a statement, the Queen announced that Harry and Meghan would ‘‘always be much loved members of my family’’ and said she hoped they could ‘‘start building a happy and peaceful new life’’.
But in what amounts to the abdication of the royal ‘‘rock stars’’, the couple will repay the £2.4m (NZ$4.7M) of public funds used to renovate Frogmore Cottage, their home on the Windsor estate.
Under the terms of the historic divorce deal – which follows the couple’s surprise announcement earlier this month that they were ‘‘stepping back’’ from royal duties – the house will remain the couple’s British base. They will pay commercial rent on its upkeep and take no more taxpayers’ cash.
The couple will keep their royal titles but in a move to insulate them from claims of cashing in on their status, Buckingham Palace announced: ‘‘The Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the royal family.’’ They will be known as Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.
In future the couple will spend most of their time in North America, a move that will raise questions about whether Meghan continues with her application for British citizenship, which usually requires applicants to spend most of their time in the UK.
Harry will continue to perform royal duties until the spring, including at a summit for African leaders in London tomorrow.
But he will then step back permanently, giving up his military roles as Captain General of the Royal Marines (a post passed to him by the Duke of Edinburgh), Honorary Air Commandant at RAF Honiton, and Commodorein-chief, Small Ships and Diving.
After that he and Meghan will be free to make millions from commercial deals without oversight from Buckingham Palace, though palace aides said the couple would be ‘‘respectful’’ of the Queen.
The couple have not signed any deals and have agreed not to become brand ambassadors for big companies. Instead their commercial deals are likely to dovetail with their charitable interests – just as Harry has already agreed to an Apple TV documentary on mental health with the US broadcaster Oprah Winfrey.
Meghan has agreed to provide a voiceover for a Disney film in exchange for a donation to a conservation charity.
Harry and Meghan will also continue to receive an undisclosed sum of ‘‘private financial support’’ from Prince Charles, not necessarily from the Duchy of Cornwall.
After a week of high drama, the Queen made clear she sympathised with Harry and Meghan, recognising the ‘‘challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years.
‘‘I am pleased that together we have found a constructive and supportive way forward for my grandson and his family,’’ her statement said. The Queen stressed she was ‘‘particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of the family’’, after friends of the duchess said she had found royal life ‘‘soul crushing’’.
Harry and Meghan will keep their roles as president and vice president of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, but the Duke will no longer be a Commonwealth youth ambassador, a role given to him by the Queen in April 2018.
The couple will still be seen at set-piece events such as weddings, funerals, Trooping the Colour and the Cenotaph commemorations. ‘‘They will happily attend royal family events at the invitation of Her Majesty,’’ a royal source said.
It is understood Harry and Meghan do not yet know whether they will live in Toronto or Vancouver, where they have been staying for the past two months.
The arrangement will be reviewed after a year by the Queen and Princes Charles, William and Harry to see if it is working. The terms will be monitored to ensure it gives the royal household sufficient distance from commercial activities.
Buckingham Palace said: ‘‘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 palace said the Sussexes would continue to get some security support. – Sunday Times
‘‘I am pleased that together we have found a constructive and supportive way forward for my grandson and his family.’’ Queen Elizabeth II