Meghan MarkleandPrince Harryare receiving thanks from their former royal patronages.
Buckingham Palaceconfirmed in a statement on Fridaythat the couple — wholeft full-time royal workin March 2020 — will officiallynot be returning to their royal roles. As part of stepping down, they will no longer keep their patronages (their royal involvement with numerous U.K. charities).
In their own statement about the news, Harry and Meghan’s office said that the pair “remain committed to their duty and service to the U.K. and around the world, and have offered their continued support to the organizations they have represented regardless of official role.”
“We can all live a life of service. Service is universal,” the statement read.
Several of the patronages shared their gratitude to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on social media amid the announcement.
Prince Harry, 36, served as President of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust with Meghan, 39, serving as Vice President. The organization, which supports youth empowerment in Commonwealth countries, said in a statement that they felt “lucky” to have worked with the couple.
“They enabled us to make fast progress and have helped us to take the organisation to readiness for its next phase,” they wrote. “We are glad they remain in our circle of supporters.”
“The Duchess championed our work with communities and young people across the UK, and our mission to make theatre accessible to all,” they wrote.
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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attending the Commonwealth Day Service in the U.K. in March 2020.Shutterstock
Buckingham Palace said in Friday’s statement: “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have confirmed to Her Majesty The Queen that they will not be returning as working members of The Royal Family.”
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Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and Archie in South Africa in September 2019.Henk Kruger/AP/Shutterstock
AlthoughPrince Harryand Meghan no longer use theircoveted His/Her Royal Highness titles, they will retain them — along with their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles.
Meghan andPrince Harrymoved to California, settling in the Montecito neighborhood of Santa Barbara, last year with their son Archie, who will turn 2 in May. They announced on Sunday that they areexpecting their second child.
source: people.com
