All the Titles Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Have Lost Since Leaving the Royal Family
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex have officially left the royal family. As a result of that decision, the couple has lost a number of royal titles and patronages. Did Queen Elizabeth allow them to keep any?
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are not returning to Frogmore Cottage
When Harry and Meghan tied the knot back in May 2018, Queen Elizabeth gifted the couple with Frogmore Cottage in Windsor and they became the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. They proceeded to renovate the home before moving in a year later. But they weren’t there for long.
By January 2020, Harry and Meghan were ready to step down as senior working royals. They moved to California and purchased a home in the exclusive Montecito neighborhood of Santa Barbara, California.
As a result of Megxit, the royal family cut off Harry and Meghan’s funding. They are now financially independent and have made multi-million dollar deals with both Netflix and Spotify.
Buckingham Palace issued a statement after the 12-month review
When Harry and Meghan announced their intention to step down as senior working royals, they agreed to a 12-month probationary period. It seems the palace was hopeful that the couple would choose to return instead of leaving for good. But, it didn’t work out that way.
After the Sussexes shared their decision with the queen in February 2021, the palace issued a statement.
“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have confirmed to Her Majesty The Queen that they will not be returning as working members of The Royal Family,” the statement read. “Following conversations with The Duke, The Queen has written confirming that in stepping away from the work of The Royal Family it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service.”
Prince Harry has lost his honorary military titles
The palace statement also revealed that the couple’s Royal patronages and honorary military appointments would be returned to Her Majesty. The queen will eventually redistribute those patronages and titles to other working members of the royal family.
“While all are saddened by their decision, The Duke and Duchess remain much loved members of the family,” the statement concluded.
The honorary military titles that Prince Harry lost were Captain General of the Royal Marines, Honorary Air Force Commandant of RAF Honington, and Commodore-in-Chief, Small Ships and Diving, Royal Naval Command.
The Sussexes have also lost numerous royal patronages
Harry and Meghan have not lost their HRH status, which stands for “His Royal Highness” or “Her Royal Highness.” However, they won’t be using those titles formally going forward. They will also keep their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles.
As for their patronages, Harry and Meghan have lost the ones that are considered royal. According to Express, they lost their roles as president and vice president of The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust. Meghan lost her role as patron of the Royal National Theatre and the Association of Commonwealth Universities.
Harry has also lost his roles as patron of several sports organizations. They include the London Marathon Charitable Trust, The Rugby Football League and The Rugby Football Union.
Prince Harry still has the Invictus Games
Harry and Meghan will maintain the private patronages which are not considered royal. The prince will continue as the patron for the Invictus Games, which he helped create in 2014. He will also remain the patron of Rhino Conservation Botswana, African Parks, and Sentebale.
The Duke of Sussex has also kept his presidencies or patronages of Dolen Cymru, the Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund, MapAction, and WellChild.
Meanwhile, Meghan will remain the patron of Mayhew, an animal welfare charity, and the employment charity Smart Works.
