The Queen has stripped Prince Harry and Meghan Markle of their remaining honorary roles following today’s announcement they would not be returning as senior royals.
Her Majesty said she was ‘saddened by their decision’ but firm that the Sussexes’ new life in America meant they could not perform the ‘duties that come with a life of public service’.
Moments later Harry and Meghan shot back with their own statement, and in a veiled dig said: ‘We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.’
Their decision to permanently quit royal life comes a month before a March 31 review of their ‘Megxit’ arrangement, which has seen them strike commercial deals with Netflix and Spotify this past year.
It closes out a turbulent week in Palace-Sussex relations after Harry and Meghan announced a bombshell CBS interview with Oprah Winfrey which is expected to pore over the couple’s departure from the Firm.
Only a few days earlier they used a black-and-white photograph of the couple lying on the grass to reveal Meghan was pregnant.
But royal experts said the couple had ‘crossed the red line’ by walking away from the monarchy and, with Prince Philip now preparing to spend his fourth night in hospital, left the Queen with no choice but to seize control.
In a rare statement she confirmed their eight military roles and patronages were being revoked and redistributed to ‘working members of the royal family’.
Meghan, Harry and the Queen at an awards ceremony at Buckingham Palace on June 26, 2018
Buckingham Palace (left) and a spokesman for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (right) both released statements today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend Trooping the Colour outside Buckingham Palace in London in June 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle released this picture on Sunday as they revealed Meghan is pregnant with their second child
The Duke of Edinburgh (left) and the Duke of Sussex (right) laugh together following the wedding of…
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