Prince Harry and Meghan Markle officially stepped away from their roles as working members of the Royal Family last week – and, as part of the official plan that was agreed upon last year, lost their formal ties with their Royal patronages.
Buckingham Palace announced the news in a statement Friday (February 19):
“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have confirmed to Her Majesty The Queen that they will not be returning as working members of The Royal Family.
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.
While all are saddened by their decision, The Duke and Duchess remain much loved members of the family.”
Prince Harry and Meghan also released a statement via their spokesperson:
“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 organizations they have represented regardless of official role. We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.”
Prior to the news that they will no longer be representing the Royal Family in an official capacity, CBS has announced that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have an upcoming interview with Oprah, titled Oprah With Meghan and Harry: A CBS Primetime Special, which will air on March 7th at 8PM ET/PT.
According to CBS, Meghan will chat with Oprah about everything “from stepping into life as a Royal, marriage, motherhood, philanthropic work to how she is handling life under intense public pressure.” Harry will join her later on to talk about “their move to the United States and their future hopes and dreams for their expanding family.”
Oprah’s bestie, Gayle King, has previously teased that “nothing is off limits” in the upcoming interview.
“I know she’s been working on the questions all weekend long,” Gayle said of Oprah on CBS This Morning. “I’m told nothing is off limits, nothing is off limits. She can ask anything she wants.”
And according to an E! News source, since Meghan and Harry have “officially been released” from their royal duties, the interview will be “very candid,” with the couple “speaking their truth” – and they are reportedly going to address the ongoing reports of “tension” between the Sussexes and The Palace.
“There is a lot of tension between them and the royal family,” the source tells the outlet. “The interview is going to shine a light on what they have been through. Meghan and Harry are relieved they are away from it all.”
The source adds that the couple are also “going to touch on a lot of how mental health came into play and how it affected them.”
The interview marks the Sussexes first televised sit-down since officially stepping down from their Royal duties – and since moving to North America.
However, the Sussexes aren’t the only royals with an upcoming television appearance. On the same day the interview is scheduled to air, Queen Elizabeth II will also be giving a speech for the U.K.’s Commonwealth celebration.
Westminster Abbey announced on Monday (February 22) that Her Majesty will be part of the BBC One television special A Celebration for Commonwealth Day, which is replacing the annual Commonwealth Day service that was canceled this year amid the ongoing pandemic.
“The Commonwealth Service is one of the Abbey’s most important annual services, but as it is not possible to gather here, we have seized the chance to take the celebration well beyond these walls,” the Dean of Westminster, Dr. David Hoyle, said in a statement. “We are so pleased that this rich and vibrant BBC programme with the Royal Family and the Abbey at its heart will celebrate our global connections at a time when we are all so physically isolated.”
Also appearing in the broadcast will be a number of Royal Family members – including Prince Charles, Prince William, Kate Middleton and Sophie, Countess of Wessex.
Given the different time zones, the Queen’s address will air hours before Meghan and Prince Harry’s interview.
