Harry and Meghan no longer working Royal family members

Canadians can most likely stop worrying about who is going to pay for the Royal security of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as today Her Majesty the Queen made a statement about an agreement made between Harry and Meghan and the Royal family.

In a statement from Buckingham Palace, it has been agreed that the Sussexes will no longer use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family.

The dropping of the title is not unprecedented however, as both Diana, Princess of Wales and Sarah, Duchess of York did the same when they divorced Prince Charles and Prince Andrew respectively.

In this new arrangement, they understand that they are required to step back from Royal duties, including official military appointments and 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.

Also, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have shared their wish to repay their Sovereign Grant expenditure of £2.5 million ($4.1 million CDN) 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.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex expressed that they are grateful to Her Majesty and the Royal Family for their ongoing support as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.

This new model will take effect in the Spring of 2020.

The Queen made a statement of her own to convey that she is please that she has “found a constructive and supportive way from my grandson and his family.” The Queen goes on to say that Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of her family. She also hopes that the agreement allows them to start building a happy and peaceful new life.

See the entire statement from Her Majesty The Queen below.

Statement from HM The Queen.

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.

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.

So now everyone can stop worrying about Canadian tax dollars paying for Harry and Meghan’s security as the overwhelming sentiment including thoughts conveyed on the Toronto Times Facebook page, is that Canadians felt the Duke and Duchess of Sussex should be responsible for their own security fees.

Although it is important to note that at a press conference this morning January 19, 2020, Minister of Public Safety, Bill Blair says no decisions have been made and each security detail is assessed on an as per scenario basis.