Waving goodbye to “Sussex Royal.” Meghan Markle and Prince Harry stepped out Monday, March 9, for their final appearance as working royals, joining Queen Elizabeth II and other family members at the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey.
Markle beamed in a bright green, long-sleeve dress with a sweeping cape-like attachment, accessorized by a matching fascinator. Her bright frock was a welcome look against Prince Harry’s blue suit, which included a satin green lining that perfectly matched his wife’s ensemble. The Duke and the Duchess of Sussex held hands as they made their way into the famed establishment. It marked their third or fourth appearance in a row after an especially active final stretch of appearances in the U.K.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 09: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the Commonwealth Day Service 2020 at Westminster Abbey on March 9, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)
Markle and Prince Harry were also joined by Prince Charles and Camila, Duchess of Cornwall, as well as Prince William and Kate Middleton. Rather than awaiting the Queen as they did in 2019, both Meghan and Harry as well as William and Kate all went straight to their seats, as was previously announced as a last minute adjustment.
Love has been top of mind for the Sussexes this weekend as they witnessed a proposal in real time on Thursday evening at the Endeavor Fund Awards. A veteran named Danny Holland decided to pop the question to his “missus” Lauren Price, onstage while he was accepting the Recognizing Achievement Award. Both Markle and Prince Harry’s reactions were captured as they warmly clapped for the newly betrothed pair.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 05: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex sitting next to Ross Kemp cheer on a wedding proposal as they attend the annual Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House on March 5, 2020 in London, England. Their Royal Highnesses will celebrate the achievements of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women who have taken part in remarkable sporting and adventure challenges over the last year. (Photo by Paul Edwards – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
With their final appearances, the couple will be sunsetting their use of the word “royal” in their brand portfolio after they step down this spring. “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,” read a statement from a royal spokesperson. “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not intend to use ‘SussexRoyal’ in any territory post Spring 2020.”
While they will be keeping the titles of the Duke and the Duchess of Sussex, they will be losing “His and Her Royal Highnesses,” as part of the agreement made with the British Royal Family.
See photos from their final appearances below.
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)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 07: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the Mountbatten Festival of Music at Royal Albert Hall on March 07, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
