*Over the weekend, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle dropped yet another bombshell with the announcement that they will stop using their royal titles, give up state funding and repay taxpayer money used to refurbish their home at Windsor Castle.
The move comes as they seek to pursue new careers outside of Britain’s royal family and become financially independent.
During a recent dinner in central London for his charity Sentebale, Prince Harry addressed his family’s decision to “step back” from the Royal Family.
“It was so many months of talks after so many years of challenges. And I know I haven’t always gotten it right, but as far as this goes, there really was no other option,” Harry said, per Variety. “What I want to make clear is we’re not walking away, and we certainly aren’t walking away from you.”
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Prince Harry: The decision I have made for my wife and I???pic.twitter.com/16uIZpuBFi
— TV Fanatic?⚜️ (@Khaleesi_Hodan) January 19, 2020
In their announcement earlier this month, Harry and Meghan revealed that there were “many months of reflection and internal discussions” before the couple revealed their plans to “step down” as senior members of the British royal family.
“Our hope was to continue serving the Queen, the commonwealth, and my military associations, but without public funding. Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible,” he said. “I’ve accepted this, knowing that it doesn’t change who I am or how committed I am.”
“I will always have the utmost respect for my grandmother, my commander in chief, and I am incredibly grateful to her and the rest of my family, for the support they have shown Meghan and I over the last few months,” he said. “I will continue to be the same man who holds his country dear and dedicates his life to supporting the causes, charities and military communities that are so important to me.”
Harry and Meghan will no longer use the titles “His and Her Royal Highness,” CNN reports.
The couple will no longer receive income from the monarchy’s “Sovereign Grant.”
According to Reuters, Harry will also “relinquish his honorary military appointments and his status as a Commonwealth youth ambassador. The and Meghan, will however, maintain their private charities,” the outlet writes.
“This role has taught me more about what is right and just than I could have ever imagined,” Harry said. “We are taking a leap of faith – thank you for giving me the courage to take this next step.”
Harry will remain a prince and sixth in line of succession.
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