Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced last month that they will be stepping down as senior royals to focus on their family and charities. But despite the step-back, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex revealed that they still wish to serve Queen Elizabeth, but 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.
BBC’s former royal correspondent Peter Hunt claims that Queen Elizabeth “doesn’t take kindly to being bounced or indeed being blindsided,” so she will not give in to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s plans. Aside from losing their HRH titles and the Duke of Sussex’s military title, the couple is also banned from using the term “royal” in any upcoming ventures.
“With government regulations and royal rules on her side, the Queen has imposed her final restriction on the couple embarking on a self-imposed exile,” Peter Hunt said. “Sussex Royal can be no more. A freshly branded website will have to be re-branded.”
The royal expert added that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have not fully thought out their decision. He shared that the couple, especially the Duke of Sussex, believed that they can do whatever they want without having to face the consequences.
“Nothing is left of their half-baked plan to change what it meant to be a senior member of the royal family,” he said. “The status quo has been sustained. What’s striking is that Harry, with his deep insider knowledge of how his family functions, clearly thought they might succeed. He convinced himself that he could live and earn in Canada and remain Captain-General of the Royal Marines. A harsh Windsor reality has replaced that misguided optimism.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle recently released a statement that they had no intention of using the “Sussex Royal” brand after they officially leave their roles in Spring 2020. However, they noted that Queen Elizabeth or the Government don’t own the term “royal.”
“While there is not any jurisdiction by the monarchy or Cabinet Office over the use of the word “royal” overseas, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not intend to use Sussex Royal or any iteration of the word royal in any territory, either with-in the UK or otherwise when the transition occurs spring 2020,” the statement read.
