Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Meghan and I had no option – Harry
THE Duke of Sussex has said that he and his wife are standing down from the royal family with “great sadness”, but there is “no other option”.
Harry said he and Meghan had hoped to continue serving the Queen, the Commonwealth and his military associations, without any public funding, but this was not possible.
In his first public speech since the couple’s decision to step down as senior royals, Harry said he wanted his family to have a “more peaceful” life.
He added: “Once Meghan and I were married, we were excited, we were hopeful and we were here to serve.
“For those reasons, it brings me great sadness that it has come to this.
“The decision that I have made for my wife and I to step back, is not one I made lightly.
“It was so many months of talks after so many years of challenges.
“And I know I haven’t always gotten it right, but as far as this goes, there really was no other option.
“What I want to make clear is we’re not walking away, and we certainly aren’t walking away from you.
“Our hope was to continue serving the Queen, the Commonwealth, and my military associations, but without public funding.
“Unfortunately, possible.”
The duke was speaking at a dinner for supporters of Sentebale – his Africa-based charity supporting youngsters with HIV – at the Ivy Chelsea Garden in London.
It comes a day after royal family talks concluded and the Sussexes announced they will stop carrying out royal duties from the spring, no longer use the title HRH and will repay the taxpayers’ millions spent on their Berkshire home.
Harry added: “It has been our privilege to serve you, and we will continue to lead a life of service.”
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