Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down from being senior royals in an attempt to have a more “peaceful life.” The pair was dealing with a lot of scrutiny from the media and the public, which clearly became too much for them to handle, leading them to withdraw from their royal duties.
However, despite their step-back, Prince Harry revealed that he and Meghan Markle still wish to serve Queen Elizabeth. Unfortunately for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Her Majesty declined their request.
After announcing their decision, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s website stated that they would “carve out a progressive new role” and “adjust their working model.” But after their discussion with Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, and Prince William, it was decided that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will completely step back from royal duties as of spring of 2020.
Even though Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wished to withdraw from being senior royals, they still want to “collaborate” with Queen Elizabeth. However, they were told that they can “no longer formally represent” Her Majesty in their new lives.
“Our hope was to continue serving the Queen, the commonwealth, and my military associations, but without public funding. Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible,” Prince Harry said during his Sentebale speech.
Aside from losing their HRH titles, Prince Harry will lose his military titles as well. This decision deeply upset the Duke of Sussex, according to royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams.
“I think the loss of his military links, especially that of Captain-General of the Royal Marines, will have deeply upset Harry, who continued the royal family’s tradition of military service by his two tours of duty in Afghanistan,” he said. “Since he can no longer wear uniform, this is something he will feel deeply.”
The royal commentator added that Prince Harry showed sadness during his Sentebale speech. He may have accepted Queen Elizabeth’s ultimatum, but it was a hard pill for him to swallow.
“Harry’s speech, in which he made clear his unhappiness at the Queen’s decision about their future was another sign of them doing things their way,” Richard Fitzwilliams shared. “Although the agreement will be reviewed in a year’s time the Sussexes have, in reality, been exiled.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are currently living on a private mansion on Vancouver Island, Canada with their son Archie.
