It seems like forever ago that Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, made the decision to step back as “senior” members of the royal family.
On January 9 2020, the couple announced that they planned to become financially independent from the royal family and split their time between the UK and North America.
“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution.
“We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.
“It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment,” they said in an official statement.
In February, it was broadcast that Harry and Meghan would leave their post on Monday 31 March with any events after this time carried out on behalf of themselves and not the Queen.
Now, one day after their new lives began (and like anyone else who leaves a role of employment) an out-of-office message reply has been added to their official enquiries email.
“Many thanks for your email. The office for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex has now closed,” it read.
On March 31 (AEST) Harry and Meghan took to their @sussexroyal Instagram for the final time with a very simple farewell, promising to reconnect soon.
“As we can all feel, the world at this moment seems extraordinarily fragile. Yet we are confident that every human being has the potential and opportunity to make a difference—as seen now across the globe, in our families, our communities and those on the front line—together we can lift each other up to realise the fullness of that promise,” the post read.
“What’s most important right now is the health and wellbeing of everyone across the globe and finding solutions for the many issues that have presented themselves as a result of this pandemic.
“As we all find the part we are to play in this global shift and changing of habits, we are focusing this new chapter to understand how we can best contribute. While you may not see us here, the work continues.”
The pair thanked “this community for the support, the inspiration and the shared commitment to the good in the world,” and urged everyone to take care of themselves and one another.
Followed by a simple sign off, Harry and Meghan.
While the couple are no longer senior members of the royal family, they will formally remain as His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex and Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex,” however, they will no longer actively use their HRH titles as they will not be working members of the family.