Harry and Meghan lose the royal title: goodbye funds and will have to return 2.4 million This is how they will be called
Goodbye titles, goodbye royal prerogatives. Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle will no longer be able to use their royal heights titles and will no longer receive royal funds. Buckingham Palace reports. In the official statement of the Royal House, Harry and Meghan say they are grateful to Queen Elizabeth and all the members of the Royal House for their support in the choice to start a new chapter of their lives. Then comes the crucial passage: "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex understand that they must give up the royal titles and the funds deriving from them."
But it doesn't end there: it has been decided that the couple will return the 2.4 million pounds (public money) spent to refurbish Frogmore House, in Berkshire, the 5-room cottage whose service staff these days have been destined to other assignments. The building, with a garden made non-violable by the paparazzi, will still remain their base in England.
Starting in spring, the couple will be known as Harry the Duke of Sussex and Meghan the Duchess of Sussex, titles they will retain although they will not be able to use those of royal heights. Harry will remain prince, which is his birth title. The decision is part of the agreement finalized after the queen had in recent days given her green light to Harry's sensational decision to take a step back from his commitments in the royal family. As part of the deal, the Duke and Duchess say they want to repay the £ 2.4 million, taxpayer funds, used to refurbish the Frogmore Cottage residence, which they intend to keep as their UK home.
In general, Buckingham Palace says, based on the agreement reached, Harry and Meghan are "required to take a step back from their real commitments", they will no longer receive public funds, a "new model that will come into force from from spring 2020 ". Losing the title of royal heights also implies that Prince Harry will no longer represent the Queen.
