Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will not be returning as working members of the Royal Family, it has been announced.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will hand back their honorary military appointments and royal patronages, as the Queen confirmed they will not "continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service".
The couple first announced their intention to become financially independent last January, and they have since signed lucrative contracts with Netflix and Spotify.
A statement on behalf of Harry and Meghan, who are currently living in California with their son Archie, said: "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."
Buckingham Palace said: "While all are saddened by their decision, the duke and duchess remain much-loved members of the family."
Why are they still Duke and Duchess of Sussex?
Harry and Meghan have been stripped of their honorary military appointments and royal patronages.
But the couple will remain the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The Queen gave Harry and Meghan these titles when they married in 2018 - and it's for her to decide whether they get to keep them.
The Duke and Duchess have also retained their HRH titles, but sources suggest that they will not use them.
Harry will remain Prince Harry, as he is a prince by birthright. He (and his children) will also stay in the line of succession.
Harry is currently sixth in line to the throne, following his father Prince Charles, his brother Prince William, and his nephews and niece Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
His two-year-old son Archie, is seventh, and his yet-to-be-born baby will be eighth.
The Duke and Duchess' patronages will eventually be redistributed among working members of the Royal Family.
