Prince Harry, Meghan sign up to exit deal; give up royal titles

London, Jan 19 (PTI) Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have signed up to a formal exit deal from royal family, which will see m forsake ir His and Her Royal Highness (HRH) titles and will longer receive UK taxpayers' funding for ir duties.

deal, which comes into effect by spring in a few weeks' time, means couple will longer be representing Queen in an official capacity.

" Sussexes will t use ir HRH titles as y are longer working members of royal family," Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Saturday night.

Queen Elizabeth II said agreement followed months of discussions and was a "constructive and supportive" way forward for her grandson and his family.

"Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family," 93-year-old monarch's personal statement read.

"I recognise challenges y have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over last two years and support ir wish for a more independent life," she said, thanking couple for ir work for UK and across Commonwealth.

In a special mess for 38-year-old Markle, she said, "I am... particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of family. It is my whole family's hope that today's agreement allows m to start building a happy and peaceful new life".

palace confirmed that couple were required to withdraw from royal duties, including official military appointments.

"While y can longer formally represent Queen, Sussexes have made clear that everything y do will continue to uphold values of Her Majesty," palace said.

It added that pair would continue to maintain ir private patrons and associations.

couple intend to repay 2.4 million pounds of UK taxpayers' money for refurbishment of Frogmore Cott, which will remain ir UK family home as y split ir time between Britain and Canada.

palace has declined to comment on security arrangements and who would foot that bill for couple in future, an issue that has been at centre of much of debate since Harry, 35, and Meghan made ir bombshell anuncement earlier this month that y intend to "step back" from being frontline royals and split ir time between UK and rth America, and work towards becoming "financially independent". 

(Im-AP)