What’s going on here?
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have announced they are stepping back as senior members of the royal family and work to become financially independent while continuing to support the Queen.
Why did Harry and Meghan take the decision?
- The couple spoke of their struggles dealing with royal life and the intense tabloid interest in a television documentary about their Africa tour.
- Meghan said: “It’s not enough to just survive something, that’s not the point of life. You have got to thrive.”
What are the consequences?
Their home Frogmore Cottage in Windsor
Taxpayers paid £2.4 million to renovate Harry and Meghan’s official residence, which the couple moved into just nine months ago and moving out now. There are now calls for them to pay back the renovation costs.
Security
- They say they will retain their security and Metropolitan Police close protection officers, paid for by the UK taxpayer.
- The security cost for the couple is north of £650,000 but that would rocket if they start dividing their time between the US, Canada, and the UK.
Their HRH titles?
The couple will give up their royal titles following their decision to step down as senior royals as part of a deal they have struck with the Queen.
How will they become financially independent?
The couple will no longer receive funding from the taxpayer, but keep the income from the Duchy of Cornwall, Prince Charles’s private estate, which makes up 95 percent of their income.
Content source:
1. Davies. G. (2020) What 'stepping back' from Royal family means for Harry, Meghan, Archie and the wider family. The Telegraph. Available from: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2020/01/09/prince-harry-meghan-markle-royal-family-statement-means/ [Accessed 19 January, 2020]
2. Nicholl. K. (2020) Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Will Abandon Their Royal Titles. Vanity Fair. Available from: https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/01/prince-harry-meghan-markle-titles [Accessed 19 January, 2020]
with HT 