Prince Harry and Meghan no longer 'working members' of royal family: All your burning questions answered
Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, will start this spring on the "next chapter of their lives" in which they are no longer "working members" of Britain's royal family, Buckingham Palace announced Saturday.
"Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family," Queen Elizabeth said in her own statement, referring to the couple's 8-month-old son. "I recognize 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."
"I want to thank them for all their dedicated work across this country, the Commonwealth and beyond, and am particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of the family," she said. "It is my whole family's hope that today's agreement allows them to start building a happy and peaceful new life."
The news of Harry and Meghan's new roles both in and outside the royal family comes more than one week after the couple, who wed in May 2018, took to Instagram to deliver a bombshell announcement that they planned to "step back as senior members of the royal family," become financially independent and live both in the U.K. and North America.
The announcement left royal watchers -- and reportedly even members of Harry's family -- stunned and wondering what could be ahead for Harry, Meghan and Archie -- as well as for the royal family.
After a high-stakes family summit attended by Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry, and seemingly round-the-clock negotiations by palace and government officials, an agreement has been made.
Here are all the details of Harry and Meghan's new life ahead.
1. When will Harry and Meghan start in their new roles?
The "new model" of Harry and Meghan's roles in the royal family "will take effect in the Spring of 2020," according to Buckingham Palace.
There is also scope to review the couple's arrangement a year from now, a palace source told ABC News.
2. Has this ever happened before with the British royal family?
In short, not exactly.
"This is seismic. It's an abdication really," said Alastair Bruce, ABC News' royalty consultant. "[Harry] was given the opportunity to serve as a member of the royal family, but he has essentially abdicated from that and it's all been put into abeyance."
3. Will Harry and Meghan retain their titles?
Harry and Meghan have not lost their HRH titles but will no longer be using them "as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family," Buckingham Palace said in its statement.
They will be known as Their Royal Highnesses until Spring 2020 and then will continue to be known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, a palace source told ABC News.
Harry will continue to hold his prince title but is losing his military titles and patronages, including Captain General Royal Marines, Honorary Air Commandant Royal Air Force Honington, Small Ships and Diving, Royal Naval Command: Commodore in Chief.
4. Will Harry and Meghan keep their Frogmore Cottage home?
Harry and Meghan will keep Frogmore Cottage, located in Windsor and owned by Queen Elizabeth, as their official U.K. residence.
They will pay rent and running costs for Frogmore Cottage on their own and will also pay back the costs of a taxpayer-funded renovation of the home completed last year.
5. Why is this change happening?
Only Harry and Meghan can answer definitively why they chose to move forward with new roles after marrying nearly two years ago.
The couple was very honest at the end of 2019 about their struggles under the spotlight of the royal family.
"I've said for a long time to H -- that's what I call him -- it's not enough to just survive something. That's not the point of life," Meghan told ITV News at Ten anchor Tom Bradby for the documentary "Harry & Meghan: An African Journey." "You've got to thrive. You've got to feel happy."
"I think I really tried to adopt this British sensibility of a stiff upper lip. I tried. I really tried," she added. "But I think that what that does internally is probably really damaging."
Prince Harry spoke honestly about the grief he still feels over the death of his mother, Princess Diana, in a 1996 car crash in Paris, describing it as a "wound that festers" and one that motivates his actions today.
The youngest son of Prince Charles and Diana also did not deny rumors of a rift between him and his only sibling, Prince William.
"We're certainly on different paths at the moment, but I will always be there for him and as I know he'll always be there for me," Harry said. "We don't see each other as much as we used to because we're so busy, but I love him dearly."
Harry and Meghan, a former actress who was active in charitable work before meeting Harry, may have also seen this model as a way to accomplish bigger charitable and activism goals.
"These are two workaholics who want to be able to contribute in the way that they want," said ABC News Royal Contributor Omid Scobie. "They have grand plans to change the world and to see the world outside of the parameters of the royal family."
6. How long have Harry and Meghan been discussing a change?
The couple has been discussing their future roles since the end of last summer, according to Scobie.
Queen Elizabeth said in her statement about Harry and Meghan's new roles: "Following many months of conversations and more recent discussions, I am pleased that together we have found a constructive and supportive way forward for my grandson and his family."
7. Have Prince William and Kate commented on Harry and Meghan's move?
No. Kensington Palace has not yet issued a statement on behalf of William and Kate in response to Harry and Meghan's roles moving forward.
8. Will Harry and Archie stay in the line of succession?
Yes, Prince Harry will remain as sixth in line to the British throne, and Archie will remain seventh.
9. Where will Harry, Meghan and Archie live abroad?
The family will spend the majority of their time in North America, according to a palace source.
Meghan has been in the Vancouver area of Canada with Archie since returning to the U.K. with Harry for a brief visit in early January. Harry remained in the U.K. while negotiations for his family's future were underway but is expected to rejoin Meghan and Archie in Canada.
Meghan was born and raised in Los Angeles but spent several years living in Toronto, where she filmed the TV drama "Suits."
Harry, Meghan and Archie spent an extended holiday break in a private home on Vancouver Island.
10. What does it mean for Harry and Meghan to be 'financially independent'?
Harry and Meghan will "no longer receive public funds for Royal duties," according to Buckingham Palace.
Harry and Meghan explained on their SussexRoyal.com website that they will no longer accept a percentage of the Sovereign Grant, which is paid annually from the U.K. government to the monarchy to fund official duties.
Harry's father, Prince Charles, will continue to offer private financial support to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, according to a palace source. Charles receives income from his Duchy of Cornwall estate.
11. What will be the focus of their new charity?
Harry and Meghan plan to roll out their Sussex Royal Foundation this year.
There is some debate as to whether Sussex Royal is a suitable name for their charitable foundation given they are no longer representing the Queen. The palace is expected to provide further clarification on this soon.
"Essentially, they are now free to work in exactly the style they want," Scobie said. "When they launch the Sussex Royal Foundation they can fundraise in any way they want. It lessens the pressures of being a member of the royal family."
They shared on their new website that they plan to focus on "community action" and "progressive change" with their charitable work.
"Through local and global community action, progressive change can be achieved far quicker than ever before," they wrote. "In 2020, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex plan to shape their charitable entity to respond to these pressing needs.
"After carefully considering a number of foundation models, and having researched the incredible work of many well-known and lesser-known foundations, The Duke and Duchess are actively working to create something different -- a charitable entity that will not only help complement these efforts, but also advance the solutions the world needs most. They look forward to sharing more with you in due course."
Meghan has made two publicly known visits to charities during her time in Vancouver. She visited a women's shelter and an organization focused on women's equality.
Harry and Meghan have hired the U.S.-based publlc relations firm Sunshine Sachs to help promote their foundation.
12. Will they continue to work on their patronages?
Yes, Harry and Meghan will "continue to maintain their private patronages and associations," according to Buckingham Palace.
"While 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," the palace said in its statement.
Harry will lose his role as a Commonwealth Youth Ambassador, but both Harry and Meghan will keep their roles with the Queen's Commonwealth Trust, Harry as president and Meghan as vice president.
Meghan will continue with her four patronages: the National Theatre, the Association of Commonwealth Universities (both of which she inherited from the Queen), the London-based animal charity Mayhew and women's charity Smart Works.
Harry will continue as patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, Sentebale, Silverstone Heritage Experience, the Rugby Football Union, Dolen Cymru, Henry Van Straubenzee Memorial Fund, The London Marathon Charitable Trust, MapAction, Rhino Conservation Botswana, the Rugby Football League, The Rugby Football Union Injured Players Foundation, Rugby Football Union All Schools Programme and Wellchild, according to their new SussexRoyal.com website.
13. Will they stay on social media?
Yes, the couple has indicated they plan to become even more active on social media.
Harry and Meghan have said on SussexRoyal.com they will no longer participate in the Royal Rota system, which gives U.K. print and broadcast outlets exclusive access to the royal family's official engagements. Instead, they will focus on more direct engagement with fans.
"The success of the Sussex Royal Instagram account is partly why they felt emboldened to make this move," Scobie said. "They already felt they had a direct line to the public. They no longer needed the traditional royal press in the U.K. to help them spread their message."
"They'll continue to use that [Sussex Royal] account moving forward," he said. "There are no plans to set up personal Instagram or Twitter accounts."
14. Will Harry and Meghan still attend royal family events?
Yes, they are still members of the royal family and will attend family events like Trooping the Colour when invited by Queen Elizabeth.
15. What does it mean to be a senior member of the royal family?
Harry is one of the adults highest up in the line of succession, which makes him a senior member of the royal family, according to Scobie.
He is considered a Counselor of State, which includes the "Sovereign's spouse and the next four people in the line of succession who are over the age of 21," according to the royal family's website.
"They are able to carry out duties on behalf of the queen in the name of the sovereign, which includes attending Privy Council meetings," Scobie explained. "This is why the queen is ultimately the person who gets the final say on whether Harry gets to give up that role in the royal family."
16. Could Meghan go back into acting? Politics?
Stepping back from duties as a "senior member" of the royal family does give more freedom to Meghan, but it seems likely the duchess will remain focused on her charitable work with Harry.
Harry and Meghan's new roles will give them the freedom to seek employment, but their work is expected to continue to uphold the values of Queen Elizabeth.
The couple does not currently have any commercial agreements underway.
17. Will Harry and Meghan still have a security detail?
Buckingham Palace did not reveal the agreement for Harry and Meghan's security, writing in its statement, "Buckingham Palace does not comment on the details of security arrangements. There are well established independent processes to determine the need for publicly-funded security."
18. Will we still see Harry and Meghan on royal foreign tours?
No, from now on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex cannot travel on behalf of Her Majesty.
19. Will this new model give Meghan more time with her mom?
Meghan, an only child, is known to be very close with her mom, Doria Ragland.
Ragland, who lives in Los Angeles, stayed with the couple after Archie's birth and, more recently, spent Christmas with them.
Spending more time in North America would put Meghan closer to her mom.
20. What's the biggest takeaway from Harry and Meghan's new roles?
"Going forward, I think it means that they're free to do what they want to do, but there is a cost involved," said ABC News Royal Contributor Robert Jobson. "The queen is being quite robust by saying they can't trade on their royal titles. She's making it very clear they cannot in any way tarnish the brand of the monarchy."
Putting Harry and Meghan's agreement with the royal family in historical context, Jobson added, "I've kept up with the royals for about 30 years, and I've seen seismic moments. The divorce of Charles and Diana. The death of Princess Diana. They were seismic moments."
"It appears to be a very big moment in the monarchy, but in actual fact, [Harry and Meghan] are lower-ranking members of the royal family. They're never going to be the king and the queen," he said. "So in terms of the constitution of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth Realms, it makes no difference whatsoever."
