Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have made a shocking announcement, stating they will be stepping back as ‘senior members’ of the royal family. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex shared in an Instagram post that they want to become financially independent and raise their son, Archie between the U.K. and North America in 2020.
So what does this mean? Are they still royals?
Yes, they are still members of the British royal family. However, since they are stepping back as ‘senior members,’ they will be considered ‘working royals.’ They will keep their titles, citing historical precedents like other royals in the past – Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
There is no confirmation of this yet. However, they might take on their son, Archie’s surname Mountbatten-Windsor. Archie wasn’t given a royal title at birth due to The Letters Patent.
On their website, the couple mentioned that they continue living at the Frogmore Cottage while in the UK stating that “their family will always have a place to call home in the United Kingdom.” However, they will require the Queen’s confirmation for the same.
They will now have the freedom to be financially independent. Under the current structure, the two weren’t allowed to earn an income. Previously, 5% of the couple’s official expenses were paid for by the Sovereign Grant — an annual lump sum from the UK government. The other 95% was received from Harry’s father, Prince Charles, who funds the couple’s personal and professional expenses through his private estate, the Duchy of Cornwall. But there is no confirmation that he will continue to do so. Prince Harry has also inherited millions from his mother, Princess Diana.
The Sussexes have made it clear in their statement that they will continue working with the charities and patronages that they are involved with and will soon set up The Sussex Royal foundation. They added that they will “continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge, and all relevant parties.”
A move like this is new. However, royals have given up their title in the past, mostly to marry internationally and move out. Famously, Edward the VIII also gave up the throne because he wanted to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson.
Reports suggest that this decision wasn’t made in line with the rest of the royal family and that they were quite unaware. In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, they said that the conversation is still at an early stage.
