THE TWO HISTORIC STATEMENTS AND WHAT THEY MEAN

Mentioning their Sussex titles at the start tells us that the couple intend to keep their official style. They are ‘grateful’ because Megxit talks have not dragged out too long so they’ve not been forced to compromise their demands. Unlike the Queen, whose life has been one long chapter of public service, the Sussexes believe that their own lives can be separated into many different chapters. As a former soldier who earned a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order for service in Afghanistan, Harry will sorely miss his links with the military. Well aware of resistance to them continuing to receive public funds – our poll last weekend showed 60 per cent of people didn’t want them to have taxpayer-funded security – the financial aspect of the deal is given high priority. Not using their HRH titles prevents history repeating itself as Harry’s mother, despite her insistence otherwise, was stripped of the title of Her Royal Highness. The Sovereign Grant – paid by the Government from taxes to the Royal Family and worth £82 million a year – has provided five per cent of the couple’s income. This may no longer be paid but there is no mention of the estimated £2.3 million a year handed to them by Prince Charles from his investments. By stressing that Frogmore Cottage remains their ‘UK family home’, they’re leaving the door open to the possibility that they could one day base themselves in Britain. Given recent events, that’s very unlikely.

The phrase ‘many months’ is very revealing as it confirms the couple’s decision to break away was made a long time ago. The public only became aware of their troubles earlier this month. But the couple, who have been married for just 20 months, have obviously been struggling for a long time. Her Majesty’s whole tone is an attempt to make the break as harmonious as possible, considering that this has widely been seen as the biggest Royal crisis in a generation. Although hurt and saddened, she wants to emphasise her support for the couple. The use of the word ‘family’ four times is surprisingly personal and most unlike the formal language of normal Palace statements. ‘Family’ was also used six times in the heartfelt message she issued on Monday when she said she had reluctantly conceded to Harry and Meghan’s wishes. This reflects her sorrow because she and her closest relatives ‘would have preferred’ the couple to remain full-time Royals. In their new life, Harry and Meghan may be living 4,700 miles from London in Vancouver, but the Queen wants to assure them they will always be ‘much loved’. These ‘challenges’ have proved too much for the couple. They have been numerous: juggling parenthood with Royal duties, Harry’s feeling that he has struggled to cut out a defined role and Meghan missing her friends across the Atlantic. ‘Intense scrutiny’ undoubtedly refers to media coverage. Describing their future as an ‘independent life’ is a euphemistic way of saying they are no longer constricted by Royal duty. Yet it’s stressed the couple have promised to ‘uphold the values of Her Majesty’. After days of Megxit headlines and public concerns about the future of the monarchy, the Queen is adamant that she wants this statement to bring this sad episode in Royal history to a swift close. Keen not for Meghan to be considered a ‘bolter’ – the word famously used to describe Princess Diana’s mother when she left her family – the Queen goes out of her way to speak of her pride in the 38-year-old Duchess and a desire to keep her in the embrace of the Windsor family.