Harry and Meghan to spring into new life outside royal family

ENGAGEMENTS: Duke will attend Invictus event with Jon Bon Jovi

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will begin their new life away from the royal family from March 31 and will announce details of their new nonprofit organisation later in the year, a spokeswoman for the couple said.

Harry and Meghan’s office has released an update about their plans and said the duke will retain the ranks of major, lieutenant commander and squadron leader.

A number of royal engagements were also announced with Harry due to attend an Invictus Games event with pop star Jon Bon Jovi on February 28.

The spokeswoman said the Sussexes would continue to work with their existing patronages as they build a plan for engagements in the UK and the Commonwealth throughout the year.

The couple will continue to be known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as well as by their titles – the Earl and Countess of Dumbarton and the Baron and Baroness Kilkeel.

And the spokeswoman stressed as a grandson of the Queen and the second son of the heir to the throne, Harry remains sixth in line to the throne and the Sussexes’ status in the order of precedence is unchanged.

Harry and Meghan’s use of the word royal, as in their Sussex Royal branding, is being reviewed following their decision to step down from official duties.

Talks involving senior officials are ongoing about the issue and a change will be announced alongside the launch of their new non-profit organisation, said the spokeswoman.

Harry and Meghan plunged the royal family into a period of crisis when they announced earlier in the year they wanted to step back as senior royals and become financially independent.

A summit of senior royals was convened by the Queen at Sandringham to discuss the issue.

At the summit Harry sat down for talks with his grandmother, father the Prince of Wales and brother the Duke of Cambridge.

It was later announced they would no longer be members of the monarchy, that they would split their time between Canada and the UK, with the majority spent in North America, and no longer be known as HRH.

Despite the unprecedented move the couple will keep the themes of their public work – the Commonwealth, community, youth empowerment and mental health, collectively.

The couple’s spokeswoman said Harry’s priorities remain supporting the welfare of servicemen and women, conservation, sport for social development, HIV and Travalyst which works to mobilise the tourism and travel industry for social good.

For Meghan, her focus remains women’s empowerment, gender equality and education.

Picture: Shutterstock. Harry and Meghan will continue to be known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex but their use of the word royal, as in their Sussex Royal branding, is being reviewed following their decision to step down from official duties.