Prince Harry said he and Meghan stepped away from royal duties because there was 'no other option'

It’s official—Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are stepping back from their duties as members of the royal family and stepping into their role as the newest arrivals in Canada. After days of speculation, the Queen made an announcement on January 18, which was followed up with an emotional speech by Harry only hours later.On Saturday, a statement from Her Majesty the Queen acknowledged that talks about Harry and Meghan distancing themselves from the royal family had been ongoing for months. Saying that Harry and Meghan will always be “much loved members of my family,” the Queen continued, writing “I recognise the challenges they have experienced as a result of the intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life.” The Queen added that she is “…particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of the family.”

 

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A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Jan 18, 2020 at 10:30am PST

At the same time, Buckingham Palace released a statement with more details about what these changes mean for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. “As agreed in this new arrangement, they understand that they are required to step back from Royal duties, including official military appointments. They will no longer receive public funds for Royal duties,” the announcement read, adding that Harry and Meghan are no longer formal representatives of the Queen, but that “the Sussexes have made clear that everything they do will continue to uphold the values of Her Majesty.”Harry and Meghan will retain their title as Duke and Duchess and Harry will continue being Prince Harry, but they are not to use their titles “as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family.”[video_embed id='1880556']RELATED: Prince Harry addresses his decision to step away from royal duties in new speech[/video_embed]Meanwhile, the 35-year-old prince made an appearance at a private dinner in London for his charity Sentebale on Sunday night, where he spoke to the group about what he says was ultimately his decision to step away from the royal family in order to protect Meghan and Archie.

 

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at tonight’s dinner for supporters of Sentebale in London Video © SussexRoyal

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Jan 19, 2020 at 2:00pm PST

Confirming that the U.K. will always be his home, Harry said, "I also know you've come to know me well enough over all these years to trust that the women I chose as my wife upholds the same values as I do. And she does, and she's the same woman I feel in love with."The Duke said that the couple stepped into their royal duties with hope, but intense media scrutiny made their roles impossible. “We both do everything we can to fly the flag and carry out our roles for this country with pride," he said. "Once Meghan and I were married, we were excited, we were hopeful, and we were here to serve. For these reasons, it brings me great sadness that it has come to this."Harry was especially candid when he revealed that the decision wasn't made lightly and ultimately, "[i]t 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."The Queen has agreed that the couple can maintain their private patronages and associations and is allowing Harry and Meghan to use Frogmore Cottage as their U.K. home, but the couple will repay the Sovereign Grant expenditure used to renovate the residence in 2019.The announcement did not specify how Meghan and Harry’s security detail will be covered financially, a topic that has been heavily discussed since the couple announced they would be temporarily relocating to Canada.Meghan are Archie are currently in Canada while Harry is still overseas, trying to finalize arrangements before joining his wife and son.[video_embed id='-1']RELATED: Meghan Markle shares her secret to being happy[/video_embed]