Meghan Markle and Prince Harry look set to keep their royal titles, sources have claimed.
The Queen last week confirmed the couple would not "continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service".
A statement from the palace added Prince Harry, 36, and Meghan, 39, "remain much loved members of the family".
The couple said "service is universal" and offered to continue supporting the organisations they have represented.
It appears Harry and Meghan will remain as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, with the Queen said to have “no plans” to strip them of their royal titles.
Speaking with the Daily Mail, one royal source said that their titles were strictly off-limits.
“They are still the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Your Royal Highnesses, although they won’t be using the latter. That was agreed last January and nothing has changed,” the source explained.
“He was born Prince Harry and will always be Prince Harry, while the [Sussex title] was a wedding gift.
“Regardless of what has happened, he will still be the grandson of the monarch, the son of a future monarch and the brother of a future monarch. That will never change.”
However, royal expert Andrew Neil commented: “Surely Mr and Ms would be more appropriate?”
The couple, who now live in California, formally stepped down in March, with a plan to review the arrangements after 12 months.
The confirmation means Prince Harry and Meghan will return their honorary military appointments and royal patronages, which will be redistributed to working members of the Royal Family.
Under the arrangement agreed last year, the couple gave up using the HRH titles.
The couple have kept their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles since leaving the UK but in recent months they have opted to simply introduce themselves by their first names.
What did Harry and Meghan say?
The Sussexes issued their own statement, saying they remained committed to public service.
“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain committed to their duty and service to the UK and around the world,” it said.
“We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.”
A spokesman for the Sussexes added there was “absolutely no question” they had wanted to retain the positions they had lost.
“They do respect the decision but they always made clear they were committed to doing the roles,” they said.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel