Meghan MarkleandPrince Harryare awaiting a final decision surrounding their official royal roles — and it’s expected soon.
Final decisions have yet to be confirmed, but events are moving faster than initially thought. Rather than wait until March 31, when theprobation periodsince the coupleleft full-time royal workcomes to a close, PEOPLE understands the decision will now come down sooner. Although the couple no longer use theircoveted His/Her Highness titles, they are expected to retain them — along with their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles.
Former Army captain Harry will be most upset about losing his honorary military appointments and has intimated that he would love to keep them, theDaily Telegraphreported earlier this month.
Reports also indicate there is a question mark over their roles as President and Vice-President of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust and Meghan’s role as patron the Association of Commonwealth Universities.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty
A close royal insider says that whatever the final decision regarding his military and Commonwealth appointments, “Harry will always be a great ambassador for this country.”
Palace sources have told PEOPLE that the challenge of keeping the royal roles stems from the couple’s commercial relationships with the likes of Netflix and Spotify — partnerships that have helped them achieve their dream of becomingfinancially independent. However, the Queen’s view is that members of the royal family can’t be “half in, half out” — that is, representing the Queen and the U.K. while also pursuing personal financial goals. A source adds, “It was clear to her from the start that a hybrid role is not an option.”
Queen Elizabethhas also has had to balance her role as grandmother and great-grandmother. After the couple worked out details of their exit at thehistoric Sandringham Summit, she released a rare public statement of support.
“My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family,” she said. “Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.”
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A royal insider told PEOPLE, “One thing about the Queen is she has to manage being grandmother but also how it affects the wider institution.”
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If the arrangements outlined are confirmed in the coming weeks, Harry would also continue with WellChild, the charity supporting seriously ill children and their families and caregivers. Under the changes, Meghan would also still hold on to her ties with animal rescue charity Mayhew and Smartworks that helps women navigate the job application process.
Spokespeople for both Buckingham Palace and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had no comment.
source: people.com
