Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Stripped Of All Patronages, Won't Return As Working Royals

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have made up their mind about their future and have decided not to return as full-time working royals, according to a statement from Buckingham Palace released Friday.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back as senior members of the royal family last year, but they were given 12 months to decide on whether they want to make the move permanent. Prince Harry and Markle have now confirmed that they will not be returning to royal duties, making their split from the British clan final.

Buckingham Palace said in its statement that Prince Harry's honorary military titles and all of their royal patronages will be redistributed to the other members of the royal family following their decision.

"The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have confirmed to Her Majesty The Queen that they will not be returning as working members of The Royal Family," the palace's statement read.

"Following conversations with The Duke, The Queen has written confirming that in stepping away from the work of The Royal Family it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service," it continued. "The honorary military appointments and Royal patronages held by The Duke and Duchess will therefore be returned to Her Majesty, before being redistributed among working members of The Royal Family."

The palace added that though they were "saddened" by the Sussexes' decision, Prince Harry and Markle "remain much loved members of the family."

A spokesperson for the Sussexes also released a statement following the announcement of their decision, saying, "As evidenced by their work over the past year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain committed to their duty and service to the U.K. and around the world, and have offered their continued support to the organizations they have represented regardless of official role."

"We can all live a life of service. Service is universal," the rep added.

Prince Harry will no longer be captain general of the Royal Marines, honorary air commandant of RAF Honington and commodore-in-chief, small ships and diving of the Royal Naval Command. He will also be stripped of his role as patron of the Rugby Football Union, the Rugby Football League and the London Marathon Charitable Trust, though he will remain the patron of the Invictus Games Foundation.

Meanwhile, Markle is giving up her association with the Royal National Theater and the Association of Commonwealth Universities.

Following the announcement, some Twitter users had questions regarding what would happen to Prince Harry and Markle's titles.

Royal correspondent and "Finding Freedom" author Omid Scobie responded, "Still Duke and Duchess of Sussex, still HRH (even if they’re not using said title), still members of the Royal Family but, as they’re no longer in their working roles, will relinquish the charitable patronages and military appointments bestowed by the Queen."

Meanwhile, other social media users felt that stripping Prince Harry and Markle of their patronages appeared to be a "vindictive" move from the royal family.