Harry, Meghan cut free as palace strips them of titles

The Queen has stripped Prince Harry and Meghan Markle of all royal associations and military ­titles after the couple confirmed they would not return.

Harry and Meghan. Picture: Getty Images

The Queen has stripped Prince Harry and Meghan Markle of all royal associations and military ­titles after the couple confirmed they would not return as working members of the royal family.

The permanent split — following a decision 12 months ago by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to live independently in the US — was confirmed on Friday in statements by Buckingham Palace and the Sussexes.

The statement from the Palace read: “While all are saddened by their decision, the duke and duchess remain much-loved members of the family.”

The Queen has taken back some of Harry’s most cherished ­titles, including those tied to the British Royal Marines, RAF Honington, and Royal Navy Small Ships and Diving.

Harry, 34, will also lose his ­patronages of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust and the Rugby Football Union, while 39-year-old Meghan will no longer be associated with the Royal National Theatre and the Association of Commonwealth Universities.

The Palace said: “Following conversations with the duke, 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 ­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.’’

The Sussexes fired back a swift riposte, insisting they were embarking on a life of service and hinting that they viewed their role as being far broader than simply being associated with royalty.

“As evidenced by their work over the past year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain committed to their duty and service to the UK 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,’’ they said in a statement.

Issues between the Sussexes and the royal family were exacerbated in recent days following reports that Meghan was to conduct a sit-down interview with Oprah Winfrey next month, with Harry being introduced for a fireside chat towards the end of the program. Meghan and Harry have continued to lose support from the British people after claiming they required privacy, but then organising bespoke picture opportunities and signing multi-million-dollar contracts with media giants including Netflix. However in the US, they remain hugely popular.

The latest imbroglio has further distanced Harry and Meghan, who is pregnant with her second child, from the rest of the family, particularly Harry’s brother, Prince William.

Before the announcement Harry was scheduled to return to the UK to celebrate the 100th birthday of his grandfather Prince Philip, but it is unlikely Meghan will travel to Britain anytime soon.