Statement by Sussexes lays bare conflict with Palace

Couple claim monarchy has ‘no jurisdiction’ to stop them using term as fight with Palace laid bare

THE Duke and Duchess of Sussexes have issued an extraordinary statement “clarifying” their version of events as they leave the Royal family, laying bare their frustrations at negotiations with Buckingham Palace.

The Sussexes, who have dropped their attempts to trademark the name “Sussex Royal”, published a series of claims on their website, elaborating on an agreement outlined by the Palace just days earlier.

Saying their “preference” had been to “continue to represent and support Her Majesty The Queen albeit in a more limited capacity”, they appeared to claim they had been treated differently to other family members, and hinted at their regret at not receiving all the concessions they had hoped for.

It came just hours after a Palace statement confirmed that they would be abandoning their attempts to work under the name “Sussex Royal”.

The Palace had been responding to briefings in the US media about the Duke and Duchess’s alleged frustrations.

In the latest in a series of disclosures, which appear to set the Sussexes in public opposition to the rest of the family, they referenced ongoing tensions with the media, said they would require ongoing security, and insisted that the monarchy and Cabinet Office had no jurisdiction over their use of the word ‘royal’ overseas.

The facts of the statement, of more than 1,100 words, published last night do not deviate greatly from those offered by the Palace earlier this week, but place the couple as “a valued part of Her Majesty’s family”.

THE monarchy could not stop the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from using the word “royal” in their overseas work, the couple have insisted, as they lay bare their differences with the Royal family in a long online statement.

The couple claimed neither the Queen nor the Cabinet Office have “any jurisdiction” over the issue, as they nevertheless confirm they are dropping their attempt to trademark their name “Sussex Royal”.

“While there is not any jurisdiction by The Monarchy or Cabinet Office over the use of the word ‘Royal’ overseas, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not intend to use ‘Sussex Royal’ or any iteration of the word ‘Royal’ in any territory (either within the UK or otherwise),” they said.

The couple, who now appear to have been in an ongoing battle with the Palace over the terms of their departure from the Royal family on March 31, set out their version of events on their own website, sussexroyal.com.

“The facts below should help provide some clarification around this transition,” they said. “The Royal family respect and understand the wish of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to live a more independent life as a family, by removing the supposed ‘public interest’ justification for media intrusion into their lives. They remain a valued part of Her Majesty’s family.”

Disclosing their unhappiness at what they perceive to be different treatment, the statement added: “While there is precedent for other titled members of the Royal family to seek employment outside of the institution, for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, a 12-month review period has been put in place”.

On security, which the Palace refuses to comment on for safety reasons, they said: “It is agreed the Duke and Duchess will continue to require effective security to protect them and their son.”

Confirming they are closing their London office, the couple said they “have remained actively involved in this process, which has understandably been saddening for the Duke and Duchess and their staff, given the closeness of Their Royal Highnesses and their dedicated team”. They have worked closely with their staff who will be redundant as of April 1 “to ensure a smooth transition for each of them”.

Abandoning their earlier plans, which led to them registering “Sussex Royal: The Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex” at Companies House, the couple will now instead “develop a new way to effect change and complement the efforts made by so many excellent foundations globally”.