PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle have made their final split with the Royal Family.
They pair confirmed they will not be returning as working members of the monarchy and the Duke of Sussex has lost his military titles, Buckingham Palace announced today, February 19.
Read our Meghan and Harry live blog for the very latest news...
Is Harry still a prince?
Yes, Harry is still a prince by birthright.
However, the Palace said his and Meghan Markle‘s honorary military appointments and royal patronages would be returned to the Queen.
A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan said they remain “committed to their duty and service to the UK and around the world” despite not having official roles in the Royal Family.
They added: “As evidenced by their work over the past year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain committed to their duty and service to the UK and around the world, and have offered their continued support to the organisations they have represented regardless of official role.
“We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.”
What military titles has Prince Harry been stripped of?
Prince Harry has been stripped of his military titles including The Royal Marines, RAF Honington, Royal Navy Small Ships and Diving.
Meghan will also lose her patronages with The Royal National Theatre and The Association of Commonwealth Universities.
Harry and Meghan – who announced they are expecting their second child on February 14 – shocked senior royals last year by announcing plans to step back from their royal roles.
“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have confirmed to Her Majesty The Queen that they will not be returning as working members of The Royal Family,” the Palace said.
“While all are saddened by their decision, The Duke and Duchess remain much loved members of the family.”
Shortly after the announcement, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) confirmed that Harry would be stepping down from his role as a patron.
It said in a post on the England Rugby Twitter account: “We would like to thank Prince Harry for his time and commitment to the RFU both in his position as Patron and Vice Patron.
“The RFU has greatly valued his contribution to promoting and supporting the game.”
Meghan and Harry are now living in the US, raising their son Archie.
What’s happened so far
- July 2016: Harry and Meghan met on a blind date. They were introduced by a mutual friend, Harry said.
- November 2016: Photographs of the couple were published, showing them on holidays, eating and attending events together. Kensington Palace released a statement on behalf of Prince Harry saying that Meghan had been “subject to a wave of abuse and harassment” since the photos had been released.
- October 2017: Meghan Markle conducted an interview talking about what it was like to date a member of the Royal Family.
- November 2017: The couple announced their engagement.
- 19 May 2018: Meghan and Harry married at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, and officially became the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
- October 2018: Kensington Palace announced that the newlyweds were “very pleased” to be expecting a baby in the spring of 2019.
- 6 May 2019: Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor was born at the Portland Hospital in London after Meghan went into labour in the early hours of the morning.
