Harry and Meghan will not be returning as working members of the royal family, the couple have confirmed.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex quit as senior working royals in March last year when they moved to California to earn their own money.
They have since signed deals with Spotify and Netflix estimated to be worth more than £100 million.
The couple are expecting their second child this year and are set to take part in an “intimate” interview about their lives with US chat show queen Oprah Winfrey.
Buckingham Palace announced that in stepping stepping down as senior Royals, it is "not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service".
It means the couple will not hold on to their military, Commonwealth and some other patronages, the palace confirmed.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “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."
A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan said: “As evidenced by their work over the past year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain committed to their duty and service to the UK and around the world, and have offered their continued support to the organisations they have represented regardless of official role.
“We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.”
Harry and Meghan made the announcement they had chosen to “carve out a progressive new role” within the monarchy back in January last year.
“We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen," a statement released at the time said.
Buckingham Palace warned that the decision was complicated, facing potential accusations that the pair would profit from the monarchy with their plan for a combined role of earning their own money and doing royal duties.
The Queen convened a summit at Sandringham with the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge and Harry, plus key royal advisers, to find a way to solve the crisis.
In the end, less than two years after Meghan became a member of the royal family, she and her husband stepped down as working royals completely and stopped using their HRH styles.
One of the outcomes of the Sandringham summit was that there should be a 12-month review of the plans, following the transition period.
It was thought the intention was to leave a way back just in case Harry and Meghan wanted to return to the royal fold.
The military, Commonwealth and charitable associations which will now revert to the Queen are: The Royal Marines, RAF Honington, Royal Navy Small Ships and Diving.
Also include are: The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, The Rugby Football Union, The Rugby Football League, The Royal National Theatre and The Association of Commonwealth Universities.
Shortly after the announcement, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) confirmed that Harry would be stepping down from his role as a patron.
It said in a post on the England Rugby Twitter account: “We would like to thank Prince Harry for his time and commitment to the RFU both in his position as Patron and Vice Patron.
“The RFU has greatly valued his contribution to promoting and supporting the game.”
The National Theatre, of which the Duchess of Sussex was a patron, tweeted: “The National Theatre is very grateful for the support offered by the Duchess of Sussex throughout the course of her patronage.
“The Duchess championed our work with communities and young people across the UK, and our mission to make theatre accessible to all.
“As Buckingham Palace have stated, the process of appointing a new patron is ongoing and will be announced in due course.”
