
How Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan plan to still serve the monarchy
By Heather Cichowski
Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan's shocking news about their plans to "step down" as senior members of the Royal Family has prompted royal fans to ask many additional questions, including how they will still serve the monarchy.
The statement the couple released on Jan. 8 via Instagram highlighted some of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's future plans. Their Sussex Royal website also goes into further detail about important subjects, including how they plan to serve the Queen.
"As members of the Royal Family, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex support Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by continuing her efforts to draw special attention to these groups as patrons of multiple organizations," the site explains before going into the lengthy history of the British Royal Family's patronages and the vast causes they highlight.
"While there is a distinction between patronages and the community work the Duke and Duchess champion individually, there is sometimes overlap based on their interests," it continues. "Today, Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have chosen their patronages to support charitable organisations that represent causes important to them and that honour the legacy of Her Majesty The Queen."
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex talk with Milly Sutherland and her mother Angela at the annual WellChild Awards in London on Oct. 15, 2019. Photo: © TOBY MELVILLE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Harry's patronages include the Invictus Games Foundation, the London Marathon Charitable Trust, Royal Marines and WellChild. The National Theatre and Smart Works, an organization that provides job-seeking women with one-on-one training and full outfits to help them succeed in job interviews, are among Meghan's patronages.
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The Sussexes' "community work" is further detailed in a separate section of the website. They emphasize they will continue to support causes that promote "environmental and societal well-being" alongside their patronages.
"The Duke and Duchess are actively working to create something different – a charitable entity that will not only help complement these efforts, but also advance the solutions the world needs most," the website teases. "They look forward to sharing more with you in due course."
MORE: The Queen responds to Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry's decision to step down as senior royals
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex shocked royal fans with their Instagram statement revealing their plans, in which they said they "intend to step back as 'senior' members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen."
The couple went on to say they plan to divide their time between the United Kingdom and North America, which they also said will help them raise Archie with knowledge of his royal background and continue on their new path.