Prince Harry makes decision about public engagements: 'He will do whatever they want'


The Duke of Sussex has returned to the UK but will remain a private individual and non-working royal


Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, listens to a member of Ukrainian army as he visits The National War Memorial Cemetery to pay tribute to the graves of unknown Ukrainian servicemen in Kyiv on April 24, 2026, amid Russian invasion of Ukraine.© AFP via Getty Images
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Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle will be settling into their new family life after returning to British soil at the end of last month, where they will remain as private individuals and non-working royals, in keeping with the agreement made in 2020. 

During their years as working royals before moving across the pond to California in 2020, Harry and Meghan joined other senior royals at major annual events like the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London, which is a particularly poignant occasion for Harry who served in the British Armed Forces for a decade. 

Though they now live in much closer proximity to the royal family, sources close to the Sussexes told The Times that the couple are said to "accept" that their move will not mean a return to such events. According to the publication, Harry could instead mark Remembrance Sunday, which falls on 8 November this year, with one of his military charities. 

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during Trooping the Colour in 2018© Getty
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during Trooping the Colour in 2018

A friend of the Duke of Sussex said that Harry "will do whatever they want him to do". 

The royal is involved with several charities and organisations, including the Invictus Games, which he founded in 2014 to help aid the recovery of wounded servicemen and women through the power of sport.

prince harry prince william cenotaph© Photo: Getty Images
Prince Harry and his brother Prince William attend the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial at The Cenotaph in 2019

Harry and Meghan will remain as private individuals

When Harry and Meghan left the royal family in 2020, a "half-in, half-out" model was rejected. Following Harry and Meghan's decision, the late Queen Elizabeth said that the couple and their son Archie would "always be much loved members of my family."

A statement from Buckingham Palace outlined the monarch's ruling: "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 statement added: "The Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family." 

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend a Creative Industries and Business Reception on October 02, 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa© Getty Images
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will remain as private individuals

Harry announces one of his first engagements since UK move

Shortly after his return to the UK, Harry has announced one of his first engagements, which has ties to the military. 

The Duke of Sussex will take to the skies alongside fellow veterans to support Sunnybrook and the True Patriot Love Foundation, which aids military communities in Canada. The skydive will be in honour of World War 2 veteran Ed Marshall, whom Harry met last year during a visit to Sunnybrook Veterans Centre in Toronto, and Harry will be joined by Ed's grandson Bailey.

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