The countdown begins. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and the Duchess of Sussex, stepped out Thursday, March 5, for one of their final royal engagements following months of back-and-forth within the British Royal Family.
The spouses presented a united front: Markle, a former actress who starred on the TV show Suits, in a vivid oceanic blue-nearly-teal dress, linking arms with her husband, in a navy suit. Together, the pair walked into the Mansion House in London with Harry holding an umbrella over both. Markle beamed at photographers as she and Harry made their way into the Endeavour Fund Awards.
Just last month, the latest revelation in the couple’s ongoing new foundation in North America and the U.K. was revealed. A spokesperson confirmed in late February that the two would not be using the word “royal” moving forward on branding. “While The Duke and Duchess are focused on plans to establish a new non-profit organisation, given the specific UK government rules surrounding use of the word ‘Royal,’ it has been therefore agreed that their non-profit organisation, when it is announced this Spring, will not be named Sussex Royal Foundation,” according to a statement from the spokesperson. “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not intend to use ‘SussexRoyal’ in any territory post Spring 2020.”
In January, in a surprising announcement, the Sussexes revealed they were stepping down as senior members of the royal family. “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,” the couple declared in their statement.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 05: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend The Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House on March 05, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 05: (EDITORS NOTE: This image has been converted in black and white) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend The Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House on March 05, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 05: (EDITORS NOTE: This image has been converted in black and white) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend The Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House on March 05, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 05: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend The Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House on March 05, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
The Queen agreed in late January to allow the couple to move “part-time to Canada after [a] ‘constructive’ royal summit.”
Markle and Harry married in Mary 2018 at Windsor Castle, where they lived briefly with their son, Archie. Both have long remained tied to Canada, where the former actress resided and filmed her TV show. “This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity,” they explained.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at Mansion House in London to attend the Endeavour Fund Awards. (Photo by Steve Parsons/PA Images via Getty Images)
