Queen reportedly calls ‘emergency meetings’ over Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s royal patronages

It’s been claimed the Sussexes are ‘resigned’ to losing their patronages

Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex watch a flypast to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on July 10, 2018 in London, England
(Image credit: Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

The Queen is reportedly set to decide which Royal Family members will be taking over Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex's honorary royal roles. 

It’s thought that the Queen will soon decide who amongst her family will be stepping up to take on Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s royal patronages. According to the Mirror, the 94-year-old monarch has called "emergency meetings with royal aides", with the Sussexes’ royal exit review approaching. March 31 is the deadline that is understood to have been given for the 12-month review of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s decision to step back as senior members of the Royal Family

The Mirror reports that a royal source has said: “There has been much consideration for some time on these matters and they will be settled before March 31.”

Whilst the publication also reports that when it comes to their royal patronages, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan have told friends they are “resigned to losing them”. 

It’s been suggested by some that the Queen is planning to ask the couple to relinquish their links with any organizations passed down through the Royal Family.

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If this speculation does turn out to be true, this would mean that Prince Harry would be stripped of his three remaining honorary military titles and potentially also his patronages with the Rugby Football Union, Rugby Football League and the London Marathon.

The Duchess of Sussex might also have to step down as patron of the National Theatre - a patronage previously held by the Queen herself for 45 years. When it comes to which royals might take up any of the couple’s patronages, this remains unclear. 

Though according to the Mirror, sources have tipped Prince William or Princess Anne for the role of Captain General Royal Marines.

This comes after it was confirmed that Duchess Meghan is doing a “tell-all” interview with Oprah Winfrey. Prince Harry will join for part of the “intimate conversation”, and Meghan will also discuss everything from motherhood to marriage and handling life under intense public pressure.

The interview is not set to air until March and this month has certainly proved very eventful for the couple.

On Valentine’s Day Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan announced they are expecting baby number two. This happy news is understood to have been met with “delight” by the Royal Family. Some might already be wondering how the British line of succession will change after Harry and Meghan’s next baby

Others will have been delighted at how the couple acknowledged Princess Diana with a particularly sweet gesture in their pregnancy announcement.

Their second child will be the eleventh great-grandchild of the Queen and Prince Philip.

Emma Shacklock

Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!