Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle are breaking free of the Royal family starting March 31, the couple’s office said on Wednesday.
The announcement comes as Buckingham Palace reviewed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s use of the label “Sussex Royal” after their decision to step back from Royal duties.
They will no longer carry out duties on behalf of the Queen but arrangements will be reviewed after 12 months.
Harry and Meghan will no longer use the titles His Royal Highness and Her Royal Highness but will retain them, leaving the possibility that the couple might change their minds and return sometime in the future.
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The couple’s departure was a real shock for the Royal family and Queen Elizabeth II said at the time that she wished the couple had wanted to remain full-time Royals.
The couple intends to split their time between the UK and North America and the spokesperson said they would be in the UK “regularly”.
They will attend six events in the UK in February and March, including the Commonwealth Day Service on March 9.
Harry is also expected to attend the London Marathon in April in his capacity as patron, while the couple will also attend the Invictus Games in the Netherlands in May.