HEIR'S ARCHIE?
Queen ‘is sad that she’s barely seen baby Archie’ as Meghan and Harry set up home in Canada
THE Queen is sad she has barely seen eight-month-old Archie as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle prepare to set up a new home in Canada, it has been reported.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and senior members of the royal family came to an agreement last night over how Harry and Meghan would step back as working royals to split their time between the UK and Canada.
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The Queen is reported to be sad that she has barely seen Archie since he was born eight months ago and that she has not seen him at all this year after he stayed in Canada following the Sussexes six-week break.
A source who knows the Queen told : “She will be very sad to have barely seen Archie, and that he will miss out on growing up with his cousins and wider family.”
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh first met Archie two days after he was born with Doria Ragland, Meghan's mum.
Her Majesty has reportedly seen her eighth-great-grandchild a few times, and not once this year as Prince Harry and Meghan spent Christmas in Canada.
Meghan and Archie are still in Canada with Harry set to join them soon after he worked with the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William on coming to an agreement about their future.
It is reported that Archie has met his cousins George, Charlotte and Louis just a handful of times.
A source who knows the royal family told the Sunday paper: “Where will Archie’s heritage and roots be? What about Diana’s family, the Spencers?
"Harry and William know all too well how damaging an unsettled childhood can be.”
Statement in full
From Her Majesty The Queen:
Following many months of conversations and more recent discussions, I am pleased that together we have found a constructive and supportive way forward for my grandson and his family.
Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family.
I recognise the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life.
I want to thank them for all their dedicated work across this country, the Commonwealth and beyond, and am particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of the family.
It is my whole family’s hope that today’s agreement allows them to start building a happy and peaceful new life.
From Buckingham Palace:
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are grateful to Her Majesty and the Royal Family for their ongoing support as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.
As agreed in this new arrangement, they understand that they are required to step back from Royal duties, including official military appointments.
They will no longer receive public funds for Royal duties.
With The Queen’s blessing, the Sussexes will continue to maintain their private patronages and associations. While they can no longer formally represent The Queen, the Sussexes have made clear that everything they do will continue to uphold the values of Her Majesty.
The Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have shared their wish to repay Sovereign Grant expenditure for the refurbishment of Frogmore Cottage, which will remain their UK family home.
Buckingham Palace does not comment on the details of security arrangements.
There are well established independent processes to determine the need for publicly- funded security.
This new model will take effect in the Spring of 2020.
In a separate message this evening, the Queen said she was pleased that "a constructive and supportive way forward" had been found and reiterated that Prince Harry, Meghan and baby Archie "will always be much loved members of my family".
Her Majesty wished them a "happy and peaceful new life" after mentioning the Duchess separately.
The Queen said: "I want to thank them for all their dedicated work across this country, the Commonwealth and beyond, and am particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of the family."
Buckingham Palace last night revealed the details of Megxit, but didn't directly address the issue of who will pay for their security.
This new arrangement is expected to be rolled out this spring, meaning they will be carrying out royal engagements and Meghan will be returning to the UK until that time.
In a statement it was announced the royal couple will repay the £2.4million spent on Frogmore Cottage and it "will remain their UK family home".
It is understood Prince Charles will continue to privately fund for the upkeep of their home, but it is not clear if it will be through his Duchy of Cornwall coffers.
Prince Harry and Meghan will "no longer receive public funds for Royal duties" as they are stepping back as senior royals.
The couple will now be known as Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and "will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family".
Princess Diana, Harry's mum, lost her HRH title when she divorced Prince Charles and her title was then re-styled as Diana, Princess of Wales.
It is understood that in return for dropping the use of the HRH titles, there will be no oversight on how the couple earn money, meaning they can make whatever commercial deals they want.
The Sussexes will continue to maintain their private patronages and associations, but they "no longer formally represent The Queen".
After a year the Megxit deal will be reviewed again by the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William.
The future of the couple's new website venture is unclear as it is not known if they will keep the "Sussex Royal" name if they are no longer working royals.
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Their website, sussexroyal.com, was swiftly updated after last night's statement saying: "In line with the statement by Her Majesty The Queen, information on the roles and work of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be updated on this website in due course."
Last night's announcement marks the conclusion of talks between senior members of the royal family and royal aides.
It is expected Prince Harry will fly back to Canada to join Meghan and Archie.
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