A little less than a year ago, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry made a major decision. They chose to step away from life as senior members of the royal family. There was a transition period where they finished their last few duties as senior royals, then they moved away.
After settling in Santa Barbara, California, and securing deals with Netflix and Spotify that would surely pay for anything they would need, it could only be assumed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex has no plans to ever return to royal life. Yet, they weren’t officially off the hook when it came to royal life.
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Harry’s grandmother, agreed to let her grandson and his wife leave royal life for a year with the arrangement to be reconsidered after a year had passed. It hasn’t quite been a year yet, but both the Queen and Meghan and Harry have released statements saying that this arrangement is no permanent and Harry and Meghan are officially no longer members of the royal family.
The statement from Queen Elizabeth II explained, “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.” The statement went on to explain that all of Meghan and Harry’s royal duties “will therefore be returned to Her Majesty.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Meghan and Harry said the couple is “committed to their duty and service to the U.K. and around the world, and have offered their continued support to the organizations they have represented regardless of official role.”
For more about this official change in royal status for Meghan and Harry, watch the video below.
As mentioned in the video above, Meghan and Harry will be sitting down for an interview with Oprah Winfrey. This is the first time the couple has agreed to an interview since they announced they were expecting a second child. The last time the couple participated in a televised interview, they were engaged. The special will be called “Oprah With Meghan and Harry: A CBS Primetime Special.” It will air on CBS on March 7, 2021.
Are you going to watch the Oprah special where she interviews Meghan and Harry? Do you think Meghan and Harry will continue to live lives of service even though they are no longer required to do so by the royal family?