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7 things to know about Harry and Meghan's Spring 2020 transition out of the royal family

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry (Photo: Getty Images)
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry (Photo: Getty Images)

Harry and Meghan have published the latest details on their split from the royal family on their website saying, though the entire process has been "saddening", they are "pleased" to be able to share their new roles with the public.

"The royal family respect and understand the wish of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex to live a more independent life as a family, by removing the supposed 'public interest' justification for media intrusion into their lives. They remain a valued part of Her Majesty’s family," the statement read, before going into a full itemised breakdown.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Spring 2020 transition will happen on 1 April, with their final royal engagement taking place on 9 March – read more here: Harry and Meghan will officially leave royal family on 31 March – and is subject to a 12-month review.

Here are a few other points of interest, as mentioned in their latest update:

1. Harry and Meghan hoped to remain members of the royal family and represent the queen, "while there is precedent for other titled members of the royal family to seek employment outside of the institution" they noted, likely referring to Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, Harry and Meghan will have to completely step back from royal duties.

2. As such, Harry and Meghan will "become privately funded members of the royal family with permission to earn their own income and the ability to pursue their own private charitable interests", but they will also, as a result, lose all royal funding. This includes funding from Prince Charles who also funded the duke and duchess’ Buckingham Palace office, which will close with the upcoming transition.

3. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not lose their HRH titles, "thereby formally remaining known as His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex and Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex", though they will no longer actively use them. Prince Harry will keep his military ranks of Major, and honorary positions of Lieutenant Commander, and Squadron Leader, however, his official military appointments will not be used.

4. Harry and Meghan will also no longer be able to use the word "royal" and "Sussex Royal" in their branding, and the trademarks for it have been removed. They are still working on their charitable entity that will now not be called "Sussex Royal" as the public assumed it would.

5. Prince Harry will remain sixth in line to the throne as Prince Charles' son and the queen’s grandson.

6. Harry and Meghan will continue to champion the causes they have, albeit not in a royal capacity. This includes the Invictus Games set to take place in May of this year.

7. Very few details were shared about their security details except for the fact that they will require a capable team to protect their family. "This is based on The Duke’s public profile by virtue of being born into the royal family, his military service, the Duchess’ own independent profile, and the shared threat and risk level documented specifically over the last few years," they said in their statement.

"Over the last month and a half, the duke and duchess have remained actively involved in this process, which has understandably been saddening for the duke and duchess and their loyal staff, given the closeness of Their Royal Highnesses and their dedicated team," they concluded.         

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