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'Sussex Royal' axed: Harry and Meghan confirm drastic Megxit cuts

February 20th 2020 - Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan will formally step down as senior royals on March 31st 2020 as the agreement reached between Queen Elizabeth II and the couple becomes official. - January 20th 2020 - Buckingham Palace has announced that Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan will no longer use "royal highness" titles and will not receive public money for their royal duties. Additionally, as part of the terms of surrendering their royal responsibilities, Harry and Meghan will repay the $3.1 million cost of taxpayers' money that was spent renovating Frogmore Cottage - their home near Windsor Castle. - January 9th 2020 - Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex and Duchess Meghan of Sussex intend to step back their duties and responsibilities as senior members of the British Royal Family. - File Photo by: zz/KGC-375/STAR MAX/IPx 2018 7/5/18 Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle The Duchess of Sussex attend the Your Commonwealth Youth Challenge reception at Marlborough House. (London, England, UK)
Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan will formally step down as senior royals on March 31st 2020. Photo: AAP

Harry and Meghan have released the date and details of the final Megxit deal on their website this morning.

It was confirmed the new arrangement will take effect March 31st 2020, most will most notably include the axing of the ‘Sussex Royal’ title and a fresh wave of redundancies as the pairt are forced to close their UK offices.

The full list of terms was posted to the Sussexes website - renamed ‘The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’ as opposed to the former ‘Sussex Royal’ - on Saturday morning.

‘Sussex Royal’ gets the boot

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge 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. The 100th birthday of the RAF, which was founded on on 1 April 1918, was marked with a centenary parade with the presentation of a new Queen's Colour and flypast of 100 aircraft over Buckingham Palace. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
Harry and Meghan's losses are down to their retirement from full-time royal duties. Photo: Getty Images

The press release confirms the duo will not use their ‘Sussex Royal’ brand name in any capacity going forward, confirming rumours which swirled for weeks.

Explained in detail on the website, the pair confirmed the brand name would be axed, “as The Duke and Duchess will no longer be considered full-time working Members of The Royal Family.”

The pair have been forced to retract their copyright application for the name, explaining that as they establish their not-for-profit organisation the use of the ‘Royal’ title would violate UK government rules around use of the word.

In a pointed remark, the pair commented that the rules do not have jurisdiction overseas where they currently reside, but they ultimately agreed to cede the right to the name.

“While there is not any jurisdiction by The Monarchy or Cabinet Office over the use of the word ‘Royal’ overseas, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not intend to use ‘Sussex Royal’ or any iteration of the word ‘Royal’ in any territory (either within the UK or otherwise) when the transition occurs Spring 2020,” the website reads.

Offices closed down

The pair's UK offices will be closed due to their royal funding. Photo: Getty Images
The pair's UK offices will be closed due to their royal funding. Photo: Getty Images

In further drastic cuts, the UK offices of the Sussexes will be closed down leaving the royal staffers who formerly worked for Harry and Meghan out of a job.

While rumours of the extreme measure have bubbled for some time, the news has been confirmed leaving at least 15 staffers out of a job.

The decision was based on the fact that the offices were funded largely by Prince Charles, and as an inactive member of the family Harry no longer has the right to the funds.

“It was decided in January that their Institutional Office would have to be closed, given the primary funding mechanism for this official office at Buckingham Palace is from HRH The Prince of Wales,” the website explained.

“Over the last month and a half, The Duke and Duchess have remained actively involved in this process, which has understandably been a saddening for The Duke and Duchess and their loyal staff, given the closeness of Their Royal Highnesses and their dedicated team.”

The decisions are part of a 12-month review the pair are required to undergo, while the royal family determine the practicality of the arrangement.

Royal fans were left stunned in January when the royal couple, who married in May 2018, decided to quit the royal family and move to Canada, making the shocking announcement without the full blessing of the Queen.

Harry and Meghan will officially walk away on March 31st. Photo: Getty Images
Harry and Meghan will officially walk away on March 31st. Photo: Getty Images

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