On January 8, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle gave their notice: they were to “step back” from royal life. When, exactly, was unclear. Was this immediate? Weeks from now? Months from now? The Queen later clarified it would be in the spring—but still, a season is pretty vague.
Yesterday, the couple officially announced a departure date: March 31.
They will give up public funding and many of their royal duties. (They’ll keep some private patronages, like the Prince Harry-founded charity Sentebale and the Invictus Games.) Much of their London-based staff was let go, suggesting that North America will, essentially, become their permanent base. They will live a private life. And a profitable life—the couple has expressed their desire to become financially independent.
But it’s still mid-February. What will happen between now and then?
For one, the Sussex couple will return to the United Kingdom, and soon: Prince Harry will team up with Bon Jovi to re-record “Unbroken” with the Invictus Games Choir on February 28. The couple announced the partnership on their Instagram account today.
They will stay through March: reports say they are also due to attend the Endeavor Fund Awards, the Mountbatten Musical Festival, and the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey.
The latter is particularly significant: it’s a staple in the royal appearance calendar, and the entire extended Windsor clan attends. It will be the first time the public sees them all together since the Sussexes’ bombshell announcement.
After that, it’s off to a new life. The Queen allowed Harry and Meghan to keep their “HRH” (his or her royal highness) status. Still under debate is their branding use of “Sussex Royal,” which the couple has trademarked and uses on their official website and Instagram handles. Critics say that potentially monetizing the term “royal” compromises the integrity of the monarchy.
“As the Duke and Duchess are stepping back as senior members of the royal family, and will work towards financial independence, use of the word ‘Royal’, in this context, needed to be reviewed. Discussions are still ongoing, however, a change will be announced alongside the launch of their new non-profit organization,” read a statement from the couples’ spokesperson, per CNN.
It’s unclear when that announcement will be, although plans for a new non-profit organization are underway: last week, reports emerged that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited Stanford University for guidance on setting up their charity.
For the next month, they’re still part of “The Firm”—the nickname for the British royal family, whose bonds are often compared to those of a business. Yet, come March 31, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have officially quit their jobs.