The Queen has decided who will take over patronages from Prince Harry and his wife Meghan and it is thought she will announce her choices to the Royal Family in the coming weeks.
It is understood the monarch decided “long ago” who would be suited for the roles, prior to the announcement last week that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would not return to The Firm.
Princess Anne, 70, is tipped to take over from Harry, 36, as Captain General of the Royal Marines.
Prince Edward, 56, or his wife Sophie, 56, could replace Meghan, 39, as National Theatre patron.
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The National Theatre last week thanked Meghan for “championing” its work with communities and young people, and the Mirror understands the board was “deeply split” over whether to ask her to carry on in an unofficial role.
Prince Harry has been Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Honington, near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, since 2008, a patronage likely to go to Prince William.
Harry’s role as Commodore-in-Chief Small Ships and Diving must also be filled.
Sophie Wessex may also take over from Meghan as Patron of The Association of Commonwealth Universities.
Harry also lost his patronages of England Rugby Union and the Rugby Football League.
League chiefs hope William, 38, will take over as the face of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.
Harry and Meghan’s roles as president and vice-president of The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust are also vacant.
A royal source said: “When the writing was on the wall and it was clear the Duke and Duchess had no intention of coming back into the fold and being part of the team, the Queen made her mind up long ago over her preferred candidates for the roles they vacated.”
Buckingham Palace did not comment.
Meghan and Harry have been pictured for the first time since revealing they were pregnant.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex took part in a Spotify event on Monday to announce new content as part of their multi-million pound deal with the audio streaming giant.
Justin Bieber and Blackpink were among the singers and musicians who appeared during the Spotify Steam On event.
It was unclear when the video of Meghan, 39, and Harry, 36, was recorded.
Wills reassures over Prince Philip’s health
Prince William has assured the nation his grandfather Prince Philip is “OK”.
As the prince visited a vaccination centre today, he said doctors were just “keeping an eye on” the 99-year-old Duke of Edinburgh.
The duke has spent a week in the King Edward VII’s Hospital in Central London.
Taking a break from homeschooling to visit the King’s Lynn Corn Exchange in Norfolk, Prince William told vaccinator Debbie Rudd, 50, he was proud of his grandparents for getting the jab.
Buckingham Palace has said it would not give a “running commentary” on Philip’s health. Prince Charles made a 200-mile round trip to see him on Saturday.
