Recently, the Queen stripped Prince Harry and Meghan Markle of all their royal patronages, including Harry’s honorary military titles.
The decision came after conversations between Harry and members of the Royal Family almost a year after the duo initially stepped down from Royal duties.
Now, their honorary military appointments and royal patronages will be redistributed among working members of The Royal Family.
But, what were Harry and Meghan’s patronages, which ones will they get to keep and how will they be redistributed? Here’s everything we know.
Which royal patronages and military titles are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle handing back?
Prince Harry will hand back the following patronages and honorary military titles:
- Honorary Air Commandant of Royal Air Force Honington
- Captain-General of the Royal Marines
- Commodore-in-Chief of Small Ships and Diving, Royal Navy Command
- President of The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust
- Patron of The London Marathon Charitable Trust
- Patron of The Rugby Football League
- Patron of Rugby Football Union
- Youth Ambassador of the Commonwealth
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Meghan Markle, on the other hand, will return these titles:
- Vice-President of The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust
- Patron of The Royal National Theatre
- Patron of The Association of Commonwealth Universities
Which patronages will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle keep?
The pair will get to retain a number of private patronages and presidencies.
Prince Harry will remain as the President of African Parks, and be a private patron of MapAction, the Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund, Dolen Cymru, Rhino Conservation Botswana, and WellChild.
He will also continue his work as a private patron of Sentebale, the charity he co-founded with Prince Seeiso back in 2006.
Harry will also remain the founder and patron of The Invictus Games.
As for Meghan Markle, she will be keeping two private patronages; SmartWorks and Mayhew.
Since they’ve been stripped of their patronages, the couple released a statement highlighting the importance of service for them.
The statement read: ‘As evidenced by their work over the past year, 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.’
Who will take over Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s patronages?
A royal source has said: ‘The Queen made her mind up long ago over her preferred candidates for the roles they vacated.’
The palace hasn’t made any official announcements on the redistribution just yet, but many expect the details to emerge this summer.
There have been reports suggesting that Prince William would be given some of his brother’s former honorary military titles.
Rumours also claim that League chiefs hope William will take over the England Rugby Union and the Rugby Football League.
However, a royal source said that palace insiders don’t want to reignite a rift between the brothers, so the Queen might shy away from handing over Harry’s titles to William.
Since the Sussexes stepped down from royal life, Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, has taken on a lot more work. So, predict that she will get Meghan’s patronages.
On the other hand, Princess Anne is very active when it comes to performing royal duties, which might lead to her absorbing some of the responsibilities, too.
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