The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have said they will keep offering their support to the organisations they used to represent as patrons despite being told by The Queen that their official roles must be returned to the Royal Family.
In a short statement issued minutes after Buckingham Palace confirmed that their decision to step back as senior members of the Royal Family was now permanent.
The couple said: ”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 organisations they have represented regardless of official role. We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.”
Their words came as it was announced that The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had confirmed to The Queen that they would not be returning as full time working royals. Buckingham Palace said ”The Queen has written 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 appointment 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.”
This means that The Duke of Sussex will lose his honorary military patronages with The Royal Marines, RAF Honington, Royal Navy Small Ships and Diving. His Royal patronages with The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, The Rugby Football Union and The Rugby Football League are also returned. The Duchess of Sussex will hand back her Royal Patronages of The Royal National Theatre and The Association of Commonwealth Universities as well as her own role at The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust.
The couple will retain private patronages which include SmartWorks and Mayhew for Meghan and Invictus and Sentebale for Harry.
