PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle have today hit back at The Queen after she stripped them of their Royal titles, saying: “We can all live a life of service.”
Buckingham Palace announced today that both Meghan and Harry have officially quit the Royal Family with The Duke, 36, losing his military titles.
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The Queen today said she was “saddened” after her grandson and the Duchess of Sussex confirmed they would not be returning as working members of the family.
A statement released by the Palace said The Queen wrote to say that it is “not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service”.
But Harry and Meghan hit back and said: “We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.”
COUPLE HIT BACK
Today’s announcement – 12 months after the couple stepped back from their roles as senior royals – was made after conversations between The Duke of Sussex and Members of The Royal Family.
Buckingham Palace said: “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.
“Following conversations with The Duke, The Queen has written confirming 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 honorary military appointments and Royal patronages held by The Duke and Duchess will therefore be returned to Her Majesty, before being redistributed among working members of The Royal Family.
“While all are saddened by their decision, The Duke and Duchess remain much loved members of the family.”
In a statement released by Harry and Meghan, they replied: “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.
‘SADDENED’
“We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.”
Meghan and Harry last year announced they were quitting as royals, saying they wanted to become financially independent.
Since then, they have moved to the US and signed a string of multi-million pound deals including a rumoured $112 million deal with Netflix.
They have also started their own foundation, Archewell, and launched a podcast series with Spotify believed to be worth £30m.
And they are next expected to sit down in a tell-all chat with Oprah Winfrey in an interview to be aired on CBS next month.
It means Harry will no longer hold 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.
