Meghan Markle And Prince Harry's Royal Exit Is Complete

Carly Ledbetter
Updated ·4-min read

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry officially stepped back from their royal duties on Tuesday, the day they had agreed to complete their transition from working members of the monarchy.

This means that as of March 31, the couple are free to pursue financial independence and split their time between the U.K. and North America ― or wherever else they choose. They will begin paying rent on their home in Britain, Frogmore Cottage. They will retain their patronages, but will no longer represent the queen, as was their stated preference.

While Tuesday marks their official departure, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex completed a goodbye tour of sorts earlier this month in the U.K. The couple dazzled crowds with their return to the country and nailed a photo-op so perfect it seemed straight out of Hollywood (and perhaps foreshadowed their return to LA).

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend the Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House on March 5 in London. (Photo: Samir Hussein via Getty Images)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend the Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House on March 5 in London. (Photo: Samir Hussein via Getty Images)

Harry said in January “there was no other option” than for the couple to leave the royal family. In the less than two years since the couple’s wedding, Harry and Meghan repeatedly expressed dismay at the attention and harassment wielded by Britain’s tabloids.

In the weeks since their departure from the continent, Harry and Meghan moved from their temporary home on Vancouver Island and have settled in Los Angeles, Meghan’s hometown. Her mother, Doria Ragland, still lives in the city.

On Monday, the duke and duchess announced plans to shutter their Sussex Royal Instagram account and website of the same name, while acknowledging that at the moment the world was in an “extraordinarily fragile” place.

“As we all find the part we are to play in this global shift and changing of habits, we are focusing this new chapter to understand how we can best contribute,” the two said in a joint Instagram post. “While you may not see us here, the work continues.”

“Thank you to this community - for the support, the inspiration and the shared commitment to the good in the world,” they added. “We look forward to reconnecting with you soon. You’ve been great!”

The Instagram account and website will continue to exist for now, but they won’t be updated and comments on all Instagram posts have been shut off. The change was not entirely unexpected, as the couple said in February that they wouldn’t use “royal” or “SussexRoyal” in their future branding.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on

The couple signed that post “Harry and Meghan,” hinting at how they’ll be addressed after their royal exit. (The prince insisted that attendees at an event in February call him just “Harry.”)

The couple still retain their Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Their Royal Highness titles, though they will stop using the latter.

Still to come are details about the couple’s new nonprofit organization. A spokesperson previously said the focus will be on the couple’s core issues: “the Commonwealth, community, youth empowerment and mental health, collectively.”

Disney confirmed Meghan’s first post-royal project: a voiceover role for its documentary “Elephant,” which will stream on Disney Plus April 3.

But for now, the Sussexes want people to focus on the most threatening issue at hand ― the coronavirus pandemic ― while they step away from the spotlight for a few months to be with family.

“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex would prefer that in the immediate weeks and months, the focus remains on the global response to COVID-19,” a spokesperson for the couple said Monday in a statement released by Buckingham Palace.

The spokesperson added that the couple “will spend the next few months focusing on their family and continuing to do what they can, safely and privately, to support and work with their pre-existing charitable commitments while developing their future non-profit organisation.”

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Jan. 14

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, walk during their visit in Birkenhead, Britain.
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, walk during their visit in Birkenhead, Britain.

Jan. 16

The Duchess of Sussex arrives for her visit to the Mayhew, an animal welfare charity in London.
The Duchess of Sussex arrives for her visit to the Mayhew, an animal welfare charity in London.

Jan. 16

Harry and Meghan attend the premiere of Cirque du Soleil's "Totem" at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Harry and Meghan attend the premiere of Cirque du Soleil's "Totem" at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Jan. 30

The Duchess of Sussex visits the National Theatre in London.
The Duchess of Sussex visits the National Theatre in London.

Jan. 31

Meghan reacts as she leaves after meeting with students and academics from across the Association of Commonwealth Universities at City University in London.
Meghan reacts as she leaves after meeting with students and academics from across the Association of Commonwealth Universities at City University in London.

Feb. 1

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit Bristol Old Vic.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit Bristol Old Vic.

Feb. 7

Meghan attends the Endeavour Fund awards at Drapers' Hall in London.
Meghan attends the Endeavour Fund awards at Drapers' Hall in London.

Feb. 12

The Duchess of Sussex attends a gala performance of "The Wider Earth" in support of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust & the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy in London.
The Duchess of Sussex attends a gala performance of "The Wider Earth" in support of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust & the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy in London.

Feb. 23

Meghan arrives at Casablanca airport in Casablanca, Morocco.
Meghan arrives at Casablanca airport in Casablanca, Morocco.

Feb. 24

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit a local secondary school to meet students and teachers in Asni, Morocco.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit a local secondary school to meet students and teachers in Asni, Morocco.

Feb. 24

Meghan attends a reception hosted by the British ambassador to Morocco at the British Residence in Rabat during the second day of her tour of Morocco.
Meghan attends a reception hosted by the British ambassador to Morocco at the British Residence in Rabat during the second day of her tour of Morocco.

Feb. 25

Harry and Meghan visit the Andalusian Gardens to hear about youth empowerment in Rabat, Morocco.
Harry and Meghan visit the Andalusian Gardens to hear about youth empowerment in Rabat, Morocco.

Feb. 25

Harry and Meghan during an audience at King Mohammed VI of Morocco's residence in Rabat.
Harry and Meghan during an audience at King Mohammed VI of Morocco's residence in Rabat.

March 5

The Duchess of Sussex and Princess Anne attend a reception to mark the 50th anniversary of the investiture of the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace in London.
The Duchess of Sussex and Princess Anne attend a reception to mark the 50th anniversary of the investiture of the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace in London.

March 6

Harry and Meghan attend the WE Day UK event in Wembley, London.
Harry and Meghan attend the WE Day UK event in Wembley, London.

March 8

The Duchess of Sussex departs after joining a panel discussion to mark International Women's Day at King's College London.
The Duchess of Sussex departs after joining a panel discussion to mark International Women's Day at King's College London.

March 11

Meghan attends a Commonwealth Day Youth Event at Canada House in London.
Meghan attends a Commonwealth Day Youth Event at Canada House in London.

March 11

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in London.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in London.

March 19

Meghan and Harry depart New Zealand House in London after signing the book of condolence following the New Zealand terror attack that saw at least 50 people killed at a mosque in Christchurch.
Meghan and Harry depart New Zealand House in London after signing the book of condolence following the New Zealand terror attack that saw at least 50 people killed at a mosque in Christchurch.

May 8

Meghan and Harry are seen with their baby son, Archie, in St. George's Hall at Windsor Castle.
Meghan and Harry are seen with their baby son, Archie, in St. George's Hall at Windsor Castle.

June 8

Meghan and Harry in a horse-drawn carriage during Trooping the Color, the Queen's annual birthday parade, in London.
Meghan and Harry in a horse-drawn carriage during Trooping the Color, the Queen's annual birthday parade, in London.

June 29

Harry and Meghan look on during the pre-game ceremonies before the MLB London Series game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees.
Harry and Meghan look on during the pre-game ceremonies before the MLB London Series game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees.

June 29

Harry and Meghan join the New York Yankees in their clubhouse and receive gifts for Archie ahead of their match against the Boston Red Sox at the London Stadium.
Harry and Meghan join the New York Yankees in their clubhouse and receive gifts for Archie ahead of their match against the Boston Red Sox at the London Stadium.

July 4

Meghan looks on as Serena Williams of the U.S. wins her second-round match against Slovenia's Kaja Juvan at Wimbledon.
Meghan looks on as Serena Williams of the U.S. wins her second-round match against Slovenia's Kaja Juvan at Wimbledon.

July 6

This official christening photograph released by the duke and duchess shows Harry and Meghan with their son, Archie, and other members of the royal family.
This official christening photograph released by the duke and duchess shows Harry and Meghan with their son, Archie, and other members of the royal family.

July 13

The Duchess of Sussex and the Duchess of Cambridge in the Royal Box ahead of the Wimbledon women's final between Serena Williams of the U.S. and Romania's Simona Halep.
The Duchess of Sussex and the Duchess of Cambridge in the Royal Box ahead of the Wimbledon women's final between Serena Williams of the U.S. and Romania's Simona Halep.

July 14

Harry and Meghan attend "The Lion King" European premiere at Leicester Square in London.
Harry and Meghan attend "The Lion King" European premiere at Leicester Square in London.

July 28

This undated handout photo issued by Kensington Palace on July 28 shows the Duchess of Sussex, patron of Smart Works, in the workroom of the Smart Works London office.
This undated handout photo issued by Kensington Palace on July 28 shows the Duchess of Sussex, patron of Smart Works, in the workroom of the Smart Works London office.

Sept. 7

Meghan is greeted by Alexis Ohanian, Serena Williams' husband, as she arrives at the team box to watch Williams during the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York City.
Meghan is greeted by Alexis Ohanian, Serena Williams' husband, as she arrives at the team box to watch Williams during the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York City.

Sept. 12

Meghan departs after attending the launch of the Smart Works capsule collection in London.
Meghan departs after attending the launch of the Smart Works capsule collection in London.

Sept. 23

Meghan visits the Nyanga Township in Cape Town with Harry during their royal tour of South Africa.
Meghan visits the Nyanga Township in Cape Town with Harry during their royal tour of South Africa.

Sept. 24

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend Heritage Day public holiday celebrations in the Bo Kaap district of Cape Town, during the royal tour of South Africa.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend Heritage Day public holiday celebrations in the Bo Kaap district of Cape Town, during the royal tour of South Africa.

Sept. 24

Meghan visits Waves for Change, a nongovernmental organization, at Monwabisi Beach with Harry in Cape Town, South Africa.
Meghan visits Waves for Change, a nongovernmental organization, at Monwabisi Beach with Harry in Cape Town, South Africa.

Sept. 24

Harry and Meghan attend a reception for young people, community and civil society leaders at the Residence of the British High Commissioner in Cape Town, South Africa.
Harry and Meghan attend a reception for young people, community and civil society leaders at the Residence of the British High Commissioner in Cape Town, South Africa.

Sept. 25

Meghan visits the African not-for-profit organization mothers2mothers in Cape Town on the third day of the royal tour of South Africa.
Meghan visits the African not-for-profit organization mothers2mothers in Cape Town on the third day of the royal tour of South Africa.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.

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