Q&A: What is the latest in the Harry and Meghan crisis?
Courtiers were working round the clock at the Queen’s request, but the couple will now quit completely as working royals.
Buckingham Palace has issued its latest statement concerning the crisis surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
– What does it say?
Harry and Meghan are no longer going to be working royals, will not be carrying out royals duties and they will not use their HRH styles.
The couple have effectively stepped down, not just as senior royals, but as working royals in general.
The dual role they suggested in their bombshell statement – of earning their own money and carrying out royal duties – is not going to happen.
Buckingham Palace said they will no longer receive public funds for royal duties, because they will not be carrying any out.
– When will the changes take place?
In the spring of 2020.
– Will they be financially independent?
Not completely. They will the earn their own money, but the Prince of Wales will also continue to offer private financial support to the couple.
This is expected to come from his £21 million a year Duchy of Cornwall income.
Buckingham Palace said it does not comment on security matters.
But it added: “There are well established independent processes to determine the need for publicly funded security.”
It mirrors the title taken by Diana, Princess of Wales after her divorce.
– And what about Frogmore Cottage?
Harry and Meghan will pay back £2.4 million in taxpayers’ money spent on renovating their Berkshire home.
– Will they still use it as their base when in the UK?
Yes. And they will pay rent at a commercial rate on the property.
– Where will they spend most time?
They will spend the majority of their time in North America.
– What about their patronages?
They will keep their royal patronages as private patronages and associations.
But Harry will be stepping down from his military appointments.
– What about their Commonwealth roles?
Harry is quitting his role as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador.
But he will remain president of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, and Meghan will still be the Trust’s vice-president.
– What did the Queen say about the decision?
The Queen also issued a statement, saying: “Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family.”
She said they had her support and she recognised the “challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years”.
The Queen thanked the couple for their dedicated work, and added she was “particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of the family”.
She said: “It is my whole family’s hope that today’s agreement allows them to start building a happy and peaceful new life.”
– Will they still be able to use Sussex Royal as their brand?
It is not known whether this will be possible at this stage. But as they are not effectively royal anymore it is difficult to see how this would work.
– Will they do any more official engagements?
Yes, they may carry out some before the change in the spring.
– Will the public ever see them at major royal events such as Trooping the Colour again?
They might appear at major royal events at the invitation of the Queen.
