Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, will give up their royal titles and eschew some state funding in a deal brokered to end a crisis that broke out after the couple announced they would step back from the royal family.
The news comes after a flurry of conversations and crunch talks with the Queen, who said Saturday that she was “pleased” to have found a “constructive and supportive way forward” for the Sussexes.
Earlier this month, in a carefully worded Instagram post and curated new website, Harry and Meghan announced their intention to exit the royal family. In it, they made clear what they wanted: to work to become financially independent, while continuing to support the Queen.
The question is now: did they get what they had hoped for?
Is this the exit the Sussexes had in mind?
The Sussexes had pitched for a hybrid role, where they would be allowed to pursue personal income, but also continue representing the Queen. But it appears they were offered two choices by the Palace – in or out. They chose out.
“Our hope was to continue serving the Queen, the commonwealth, and my military associations, but without public funding. Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible,” said Harry in a Sunday night speech at a charity dinner.
So what’s the deal with their royal titles?
Meghan received the title Her Royal Highness (HRH) The Duchess of Sussex upon marriage in May 2018. Harry’s full title was His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton and Baron Kilkeel.
But the couple will no longer use the titles His and Her Royal Highness after announcing they would step back from their roles as senior members of the royal family. This is quite unprecedented. After her divorce from Prince Charles, Harry’s mother Diana had her “HRH” title taken away, and she was given the courtesy title of “Diana, Princess of Wales.”
Similarly, Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York was also stripped of her HRH title after her divorce from Prince Andrew.
But the situation for Harry and Meghan is different – they have chosen, or been asked, not to use these titles because they no longer represent the Queen.