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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to Officially Close Buckingham Palace Office at the End of March

As of April 1, Prince Harry and Meghan will no longer have an office at Buckingham Palace, a spokesperson for the couple said today as more details of their future were confirmed. The Sussexes will transition to their new working model on March 31st, and it has been agreed that there will be an initial 12-month review to “ensure the arrangement works for all parties.”

A spokesperson said that due to the fact that the Duke and Duchess will not be undertaking official engagements in support of the Queen, which are funded by the Sovereign Grant, that an office at Buckingham Palace was “no longer needed.” They will continue to be represented through their UK foundation team.

The couple will split their time between the UK and North America and will continue to work closely with their existing patronages. A spokesperson said they are planning to carry out engagements in the UK and Commonwealth throughout the year.

They have also been having meetings to establish a new non-profit organization, more details of which will be shared later in the year.

The themes of their work will be a continuation of the causes those they already support. “The Duke’s priorities remain supporting the welfare of servicemen and women, conservation, sport for social development, HIV, and Travalyst which works to mobilize the tourism and travel industry for social good,” a spokesperson said, adding: “For The Duchess, her focus remains women’s empowerment, gender equality and education.”

It was previously announced that Harry would give up his honorary military positions and a spokesperson said today that he will not use them for 12 months. However, no new appointments will be made to fill these roles before the 12-month review of the new arrangements is completed. His involvement with the Invictus Games will continue.

Harry will remain sixth in line to the throne and he and Meghan’s status in the Order of Precedence is unchanged. As previously announced, however, they will retain but not use their HRH styles and will continue to be known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Before the new arrangement takes effect, several public appearances are planned for the couple which will be covered by media in the usual way with a royal rota in place. Harry will make a visit to see the Invictus Games Choir at a recording session on February 28th, and he and Meghan will attend the Endeavour Fund Awards on March 5th to recognize wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans who have gone on to use sport and adventurous challenge as part of their recovery.

Harry will also join Lewis Hamilton at the official opening of immersive museum the Silverstone Experience on March 6th. And he and Meghan will attend the Mountbatten Music Festival on March 7th at the Royal Albert Hall to raise money for the Royal Marines Charity and CLIC Sargent. Meghan will make a public appearance to Mary International Women’s Day on March 8th, and they will both attend the Commonwealth Service on March 9th with the Queen and the rest of the royal family.

Once the new working model takes effect, the couple will attend the Invictus Games in May, and Harry is also expected to be at the London Marathon in April in his capacity as patron.

Source: https://www.townandcountrymag.com/

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