On Jan. 18, Queen Elizabeth II confirmed she and the royal family had reached a conclusion regarding Meghan and Harry’s desire to step down.
“Following many months of conversations and more recent discussions, I am pleased that together we have found a constructive and supportive way forward for my grandson and his family,” the queen said in statement.
“Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family.
“I recognise the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life.
“I want to thank them for all their dedicated work across this country, the Commonwealth and beyond, and am particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of the family.
“It is my whole family’s hope that today’s agreement allows them to start building a happy and peaceful new life.”
This news comes after several meetings at the queen’s Sandringham House estate about the future of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who announced their plans to step down as senior members of the royal family on Jan. 8.
The queen previously issued another statement: “Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family.
“My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.”
“Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives.
“It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK.
“These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days.”
Prince Harry attended a crisis meeting with the queen on Jan. 13, while Meghan was reported to have phoned in from Canada, where she and Archie have been staying. Prince William and Prince Charles were also reported to be in attendance to show support and discuss the future of the Sussexes – and no doubt the Cambridges, too.
As the queen’s statements detail, a lot of thought and discussion went into the future of Meghan and Prince Harry’s young family, including their wish to be financially independent. Another separate statement from Buckingham Palace answers many questions and sorts through the complexities presented by such a situation.
“As agreed in this new arrangement, [Harry and Meghan] understand that they are required to step back from Royal duties, including official military appointments,” the palace’s statement reads. “They will no longer receive public funds for Royal duties.
“With The Queen’s blessing, the Sussexes will continue to maintain their private patronages and associations. While they can no longer formally represent The Queen, the Sussexes have made clear that everything they do will continue to uphold the values of Her Majesty.
“The Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family.
“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have shared their wish to repay Sovereign Grant expenditure for the refurbishment of Frogmore Cottage, which will remain their UK family home.
“Buckingham Palace does not comment on the details of security arrangements. There are well established independent processes to determine the need for publicly-funded security.”
