Days later, Harry attended the now-infamous Sandringham Summit with the Queen, Prince Charles, and Prince William to discuss the announcement. Following their meeting, the Queen issued a rare public statement, expressing support for Harry and Meghan’s choice, though noting she would have preferred they remained working royals.

“My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family,” the Queen stated. “Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life.”

A “transition period” was put in place to allow Harry and Meghan to ease into their new roles, with a one-year review period. However, by February 2021, Buckingham Palace confirmed the couple would not return to their royal duties. As a result, they lost their patronages and Harry’s honorary military titles, which were reassigned to other working royals. Although stripped of their HRH status, they retained their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles.

In the official statement, Buckingham Palace expressed sadness over the couple’s decision but reaffirmed their place within the family. “While all are saddened by their decision, The Duke and Duchess remain much-loved members of the family,” the announcement read.

This pivotal chapter marked the couple’s shift from royal life to pursuing independence, setting the stage for their next endeavors across the Atlantic.