Royal Highnesses no more: Harry and Meghan retire as working members of royal family

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan will no longer be working members of Britain's monarchy, will forgo public funds and will repay money spent on refurbishing their cottage west of London as they embark on an independent future, Buckingham Palace said on Saturday.

The couple will also no longer use their "Royal Highness" titles, the palace said in an announcement that sought to bring to an end turmoil in the monarchy sparked earlier this month when the couple announced they wanted to reduce their royal duties and spend more time in North America.

In recent days, the queen and her family have been working out with officials how this stepping back will work in practice for Harry, 35, and his American wife, former actress Meghan, 38.

"Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family," Queen Elizabeth said in a statement issued by the palace, referring to the couple's baby son.

"I recognise the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life."

The queen added that she was "particularly proud" of how quickly Meghan became one of the family. The couple married in May 2018 in a lavish ceremony at Windsor Castle.

FILE PHOTO: Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, holding their son Archie, meet Archbishop Desmond Tutu (not pictured) at the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation in Cape Town, South Africa, September 25, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville/Pool/File Photo

Harry will remain a prince and the couple will keep their titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex.The couple's plans for independence, announced after a long break over the Christmas period in Canada, caught the rest of the royal family by surprise earlier this month and left the queen and other senior Windsors hurt and disappointed, according to royal sources.

A friend of Harry and Meghan said the couple felt they had been driven out.

The palace said the couple will no longer receive public funds and they will repay money spent on the refurbishment of their cottage at Windsor, west of London.

"Although they can no longer formally represent the queen, the Sussexes have made clear that everything they do will continue to uphold the values of her majesty," a Buckingham Palance spokeswoman said.

"The Sussexes will not use their HRH title as they are no longer working members of the royal family.

FUNDS

The change means Harry will give up his military patronages and his role as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador.

It was not immediately clear whether the couple could continue to use the "Sussex Royal" title for their website and branding.

While they will no longer receive public funding, Harry's father Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, will continue to offer private financial support, a royal source said.

The couple will split their time between Britain and North America, with the majority of their time in North America, the source said.

The changes will come into effect in the spring of this year, the palace said.