Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Seemingly Correct the Queen’s Statement About Their Future

Following a statement from Buckingham Palace that the royal family is “saddened” by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s decision to permanently step down as working royals, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would seemingly like to clarify one thing.

Earlier today, February 19, BP confirmed the couple will not return as working members of the royal family. (After their original announcement in January 2020, the family agreed to a one-year trial period.) The statement read:

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.  

Following conversations with The Duke, The Queen has w_{ritten 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. The honorary military appointments and Royal patronages held by The Duke and Duchess will therefore be returned to Her Majesty, before being redistributed among working members of The Royal Family.}
 
While all are saddened by their decision, The Duke and Duchess remain much loved members of the family.

A spokesperson for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry released a statement shortly after that asserts their continued commitment to charitable works. “As evidenced by their work over the past year, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain 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,” their statement read. “We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.”

In fact, multiple patronages previously and currently supported by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have shared their gratitude on Twitter in wake of these announcements, including the Invictus Games Foundation and Smart Works Charity. 

A source close to the couple tells Vanity Fair that they have “no regrets” about their final decision—which came one month before the 12-month review was set to complete. “They stood down for a reason,” the source said. “That was to have the freedom to be independent and there are no regrets about their decision to leave.”