Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal journey - in pictures
The couple are bidding final farewell as official members of ‘The Firm’
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are making their final appearance as senior royals today before quitting the UK and become financially independent.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will attend the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey, alongside the Queen, Prince William and Kate, and Prince Charles and Camilla.
The engagement marks the first time that the couple have appeared in public alongside the rest of the Royal Family since revealing their plan to step down from royal duties - an announcement made without consulting Buckingham Palace. It is not clear when the family will next be seen together.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“It will be fascinating to see how it plays out,” royal biographer Penny Junor told Sky News. “I imagine everybody will be on absolutely best behaviour. But goodness knows what they will all be thinking privately.”
The Royal Family were reportedly “hurt” and “deeply disappointed” by Harry and Meghan’s decision to call it quits and by the way they announced the news.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
But the Sussexes have justified their decision in interviews and on their website, explaining that they want a “more peaceful life” away from media scrutiny.
“For me, and for my wife, of course there’s a lot of stuff that hurts, especially when the majority of it is untrue,″ Harry told ITV’s Tom Bradby last year. ”I will not be bullied into playing a game that killed my mum.″
The couple will not use their HRH titles from 31 March, and will no longer be allowed to use the word “royal” in their branding.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Netherlands split on WFH for sex workers
Speed Read Councils concerned over 'nuisance' of at-home sex work, but others say changes will curb underground sex trade
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
'He adored Trump, and then rejected him'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Thursday Murder Club: who's in the film and what we can expect
Speed Read Author Richard Osman reveals starry cast set to play his 'septuagenarian sleuths'
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
Duchess of Gloucester: the hard-working royal you've never heard of
Under The Radar Outer royal 'never expected' to do duties but has stepped up to the plate
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
'Manipulated' photo of UK's Princess Kate spiked
speed read The first official image of Kate Middleton since January has been retracted
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Modern royal scandals from around the world
The Explainer From Spain to the UAE, royal families have often been besieged by negative events
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The Regency Acts: what happens if King Charles can't perform his duties
The Explainer Monarch's responsibilities could be carried out by a regent or the counsellors of state
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
King Charles diagnosed with cancer
Speed Read Monarch 'remains wholly positive about his treatment', during which senior royals are expected to stand in for him
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Princess of Wales to remain in hospital for two weeks as King prepares for prostate treatment
Speed Read The timing of the two royal medical announcements was said to be an 'unavoidable coincidence'
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary: a guide to Denmark's next king and queen
Why everyone's talking about Queen Margrethe II is stepping down after 52 years on Denmark's throne
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
King laughs about his 'sausage fingers' in new documentary
Speed Read Charles's ample digits have long attracted 'attention and concern' but he is often the 'first to poke fun'
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published