No more HRH for Meghan and Harry and no more public money – but what else still needs to be decided?
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have left the Royal Family in what some have dubbed a “hard Megxit”, agreeing they will stop carrying out out royal duties, no longer use HRH and repay the taxpayers’ millions spent on their Berkshire home.
But there are still some questions that need to be ironed out, from funding for their security to their Sussex Royal brand, and what their decision means for the future of the monarchy.
Following a statement from Buckingham Palace about what had been agreed at the recent so-called Sandringham Summit, a statement issued on the couple’s behalf said: “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.
“With the Queen’s blessing, the Sussexes will continue to maintain their private patronages and associations.
“While they can no longer formally represent the Queen, the Sussexes have made clear that everything they do will continue to uphold the values of Her Majesty.”
So what other questions are their about their future role within the Royal Family?
How will Harry and Meghan’s security be funded?
We still don’t really know.
Buckingham Palace’s statement didn’t deal directly with the issue of security cost, saying simply: “Buckingham Palace does not comment on the details of security arrangements. There are well-established independent processes to determine the need for publicly-funded security.”
Security expert Chris Mathers, who worked in intelligence for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, told Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail that the couple’s annual security bill could be more than £7million.
He said the security operation would have to include personal bodyguards, vehicles, communications equipment, fences, CCTV and alarms - all contributing to the cost.
Will this arrangement be in place forever?
The new arrangements are due to come into effect in the spring.
They’re due to be reviewed by Buckingham Palace in 12 months and who knows what could happen then.
How will they earn money?
Harry and Meghan have said they will no longer use public funds and have also agreed to pay back the £2.4m it cost to renovate Frogmore Cottage.
However, they’re unlikely to struggle to earn their own money.
The couple are worth an estimated £30m – made up of Harry’s inheritance from his mother, an allowance from Prince Charles’ Duchy of Cornwall and the income Meghan Markle earned while starring in top TV show Suits.
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The couple have already trademarked the Royal Sussex brand across hundreds of products and it is believed they already have potential partnerships lined up.
Meghan could relaunch her lifestyle website, The Tig, and has also reportedly already done a voiceover for Disney to raise money for charity. She is also said to be in talks with Givenchy.
Harry is also due to team up with Oprah Winfrey to create a mental health documentary series while Netflix is also said to be interested in working with the couple.
What do we call them?
Harry and Meghan will technically keep the style of HRH – His or Her Royal Highness – but they will no longer use it from the spring as they are “no longer working members of the Royal Family”.
It means they will probably become known in the same way Harry’s mother Diana was following her divorce from Charles, so he will be Harry, Duke of Sussex.
However, a few questions remain including whether the couple will have to remove the word “Royal” from their SussexRoyal website.
In the immediate aftermath of the announcement on their future part in the royal family, the couple posted an update on their website but still referred to themselves as “Their Royal Highnesses”.
What about their charity work?
The importance of charity work to Harry and Meghan hasn’t gone anywhere.
The couple have said previously that they plan to launch a new "charitable entity" though further details aren’t known.
Harry will have to give up a Commonwealth role and his three military appointments including Captain General Royal Marines.
However, he will continue to work with his charities and organisations like Sentebale – his Africa-based charity supporting youngsters with HIV – and even while Harry was dealing with the fallout of his shock announcement, Meghan continued to visit local charities back in Canada.
Could this affect the future of other royals?
Harry and Meghan’s move is unprecedented and could change the way the royal family works forever.
The way they plan to work is completely different to previous royals, and it may be that other members of the family in the future choose to go down this route as well.
