Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced last month that they will be stepping down as senior royals. Also, the couple shared that they will be living part-time in the US and the UK and hope to continue supporting the Queen, the Commonwealth, and military associations. However, during the Prince’s speech at a charity event in London, he revealed that it “wasn’t possible.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are currently living on a private mansion on Vancouver Island, Canada. A new report claimed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle let all 15 members of their UK staff go, sparking speculations that they will never return to the UK.
“Given their decision to step back, an office at Buckingham Palace is no longer needed,” the source said. "While the details are still being finalized and efforts are being made to redeploy people within the royal household, unfortunately, there will be some redundancies.”
The couple's newly appointed private secretary Fiona Mcilwham, communications chief Sara Latham, Prince Harry’s program co-ordinator Clara Loughran, and assistant communications secretary Marnie Gaffney are few of those who are believed to have been let go by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
“The Duke and Duchess have a small team, less than 15 people,” the insider added. “The team are very loyal to the Sussexes and understands and respects the decision they have taken. They are all close and supporting each other. The team are busy helping to set their Royal Highnesses up for the future and working on a series of final engagements.”
Meanwhile, 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.
And even though the couple will still be known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, they can “no longer formally represent” Queen Elizabeth in their new lives. Also, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will not only lose their HRH titles, but Prince William’s brother will lose his military titles as well, which deeply upset him.
“I want you to hear the truth from me, as much as I can share not as a Prince, or a Duke, but as Harry, the same person that many of you have watched grow up over the last 35 years but with a clearer perspective,” Prince Harry said in his speech. “The UK is my home and a place that I love. That will never change. It brings me great sadness that it has come to this.”
