Royal duties formally end for Prince Harry, Meghan
LONDON — Buckingham Palace confirmed Friday that Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, will not be returning to royal duties, and Harry will give up his honorary military titles — a decision that makes formal, and final, the couple’s split from the royal family.
When Harry and Meghan stepped away from fulltime royal life in March 2020, unhappy at media scrutiny and the strictures of their roles, it was agreed the situation would be reviewed after a year.
Now it has, and the palace said in a statement that the couple, also known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have verified “they will not be returning as working members of the Royal Family.”
It said Queen Elizabeth II had spoken to Harry, 36, and confirmed “that in stepping away from the work of the Royal Family, it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service.”
The palace said Harry’s appointment as captain general of the Royal Marines and titles with other military groups would revert to the queen before being distributed to other members of the family. Harry served in the British army for a decade, including on the front line in Afghanistan, and retains a close bond with the military.
Meghan, 39, will be stripped of her role as patron of Britain’s National Theater and the Association of Commonwealth Universities.
“While all are saddened by their decision, the Duke and Duchess remain much loved members of the family,” the palace statement said.
American actress Meghan Markle married the queen’s grandson at Windsor Castle in May 2018. Their son, Archie, was born a year later.
They retain their titles of duke and duchess, and Harry is still sixth in line to the British throne. Harry and Meghan now live in Santa Barbara and are expecting their second child.