Queen Elizabeth relinquished royal roles to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will no longer be members working in the royal family, Buckingham Palace said in an official statement.

"After conversations with the duke, the Queen wrote confirming that by leaving work in the royal family it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come from a life of public service."

The announcement says:

"Honorable military appointments and royal patronages held by the duke and duchess will be returned to Her Majesty, before being distributed among the working members of the royal family. "While everyone is saddened by their decision, the dukes and dukes remain very dear members of the family."

Note: Patronage - the direct or symbolic care of a high state body or a high official personality for a certain activity.

A spokesman for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle said: “As evidenced by their work over the past year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain committed to their duty and service in the UK and around the world and have provided their continued support for the organizations they have represented despite their official role. We can all live a life of service. The service is universal. ”

Harry and Meghan will relinquish the institutions they had under their patronage, though the prince will maintain some private institutions like the Invictus Games.

The couple will retain their royal titles but will not use them. They remain the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, titles bestowed by the Queen.

A source close to the couple indicated that they did not want to give up the institutions they cared for and were committed to. "They respect the decision, but always made it clear that they were committed to holding those roles," the source said.

Sources: Guardian, Washington Post