The household staff working for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are going through some downsizing. After the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said they want to spend half their time in Canada this year, some of their aides are reportedly leaving or being re-assigned elsewhere to serve Queen Elizabeth and the royals.
According to the Daily Mail, two permanent employees from Frogmore Cottage -- the house manager and a cleaner, respectively -- have been re-assigned to another royal household. The rest of the staff, such as the chefs, the footmen and maids, have been told their services are no longer needed.
A source inside the palace, however, said that no one from Frogmore Cottage had been let go. It's also not unusual for members of the staff to be reassigned within the royal family.
The Evening Standard reported that Buckingham Palace is expected to make an official statement imminently in the wake of Prince Harry and Meghan's plans to shift their royal roles. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex said that they would like to divide their time between London and Canada, which means that Frogmore Cottage will have no masters for at least six months.
The Sussex pair also said that they want to be financially independent and no longer dependent on the Sovereign Grant. Whether this means that they will have to pay for their own aides' wages is still unclear. The palace is still making arrangements for Prince Harry and Meghan's transition into their new life as royals who will not have many duties and engagements.
Queen Elizabeth expressed, however, that she is supportive of Prince Harry and Meghan's plan to scale down on their royal duties. Her Majesty is also amenable to the adjustments and changes that the Sussex pair want.
Since announcing they are stepping back, Meghan has flown back to Vancouver Island, where she is staying with her son Archie Harrison. It's unclear when Prince Harry will follow his family, but it's understood that the reason why he remains in London is to oversee the arrangements of their transition.
Some royal observers believe that the couple will stay in Canada until the summer. Others, however, think that this move is a permanent one.
Frogmore Cottage was Queen Elizabeth's wedding gift to Prince Harry and Meghan. The property was renovated for over $3 million before the Sussexes moved in when Archie was born.
