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| Prince Harry and Meghan 'step back': 10 questions answered | Prince Harry and Meghan 'step back': 10 questions answered |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's decision to "step back" as senior members of the Royal Family has generated interest across the world. | The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's decision to "step back" as senior members of the Royal Family has generated interest across the world. |
| Prince Harry and his wife Meghan are said to have "blindsided" Buckingham Palace with the announcement, which the couple said came after "many months of reflection". | Prince Harry and his wife Meghan are said to have "blindsided" Buckingham Palace with the announcement, which the couple said came after "many months of reflection". |
| They said they intend to become financially independent while continuing to support the Queen. | They said they intend to become financially independent while continuing to support the Queen. |
| But what does it mean for their future? Will the duke still be in the line of succession? And what if the couple split up in the future? BBC royal correspondent Sarah Campbell answers readers' questions. | But what does it mean for their future? Will the duke still be in the line of succession? And what if the couple split up in the future? BBC royal correspondent Sarah Campbell answers readers' questions. |
| Will the Duke of Sussex keep his place as sixth in line to the throne? Valerie Bell | Will the Duke of Sussex keep his place as sixth in line to the throne? Valerie Bell |
| Succession to the throne in the UK is not only due to birth, but also legislation. It would take an Act of Parliament to remove a person from the line of succession. | Succession to the throne in the UK is not only due to birth, but also legislation. It would take an Act of Parliament to remove a person from the line of succession. |
| Downing Street has so far said that questions on the duke and duchess' announcement are "for the royal household". | Downing Street has so far said that questions on the duke and duchess' announcement are "for the royal household". |
| Will they keep their royal titles - and what does this mean for Archie? Hannah, Watford and Jonathan Selby | Will they keep their royal titles - and what does this mean for Archie? Hannah, Watford and Jonathan Selby |
| Archie has no title - that was his parents' decision when he was born. He is simply Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. | Archie has no title - that was his parents' decision when he was born. He is simply Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. |
| There is no suggestion the duke and duchess wish to renounce their titles. | There is no suggestion the duke and duchess wish to renounce their titles. |
| What will happen to Harry should the couple split? Stacey Browning | What will happen to Harry should the couple split? Stacey Browning |
| He remains a member of the Royal Family - stepping back from duties does not change that. | He remains a member of the Royal Family - stepping back from duties does not change that. |
| Moreover, what the couple plan to do has not been tried before, so there is no precedent to guide us. | Moreover, what the couple plan to do has not been tried before, so there is no precedent to guide us. |
| Will the rule that non-EU spouses are not permitted to spend more than 90 days outside the UK in any 12 month period apply to Meghan? Nathan, Penrith | Will the rule that non-EU spouses are not permitted to spend more than 90 days outside the UK in any 12 month period apply to Meghan? Nathan, Penrith |
| This rule applies to some applicants for British citizenship. We were told that Meghan was not going to be fast-tracked to get citizenship and it will take the same length of time for her as for anyone else. We are not aware she is a dual citizen as yet (as in, that she has a British passport). | This rule applies to some applicants for British citizenship. We were told that Meghan was not going to be fast-tracked to get citizenship and it will take the same length of time for her as for anyone else. We are not aware she is a dual citizen as yet (as in, that she has a British passport). |
| Buckingham Palace did not respond when asked whether the duchess' citizenship application would be affected by the announcement. | Buckingham Palace did not respond when asked whether the duchess' citizenship application would be affected by the announcement. |
| Could they have been offered better support to cope regarding the press? Susanna, Luton | Could they have been offered better support to cope regarding the press? Susanna, Luton |
| Meghan has talked about the fact that, even though she was already in the public eye, she was not prepared for the huge press interest which comes with marrying into the Royal Family. | Meghan has talked about the fact that, even though she was already in the public eye, she was not prepared for the huge press interest which comes with marrying into the Royal Family. |
| We simply do not know how much support the duke and duchess have been given, so it is difficult to say whether they should have been given more. | We simply do not know how much support the duke and duchess have been given, so it is difficult to say whether they should have been given more. |
| Where does this leave the Invictus Games? Robert Higgins | Where does this leave the Invictus Games? Robert Higgins |
| The next Invictus Games is to be held this year in The Hague. | The next Invictus Games is to be held this year in The Hague. |
| The Invictus Games Foundation - with Prince Harry as patron - was established to preside over the games and, as it is a separate entity, it will continue regardless of what happens with Prince Harry's status within the Royal Family. | The Invictus Games Foundation - with Prince Harry as patron - was established to preside over the games and, as it is a separate entity, it will continue regardless of what happens with Prince Harry's status within the Royal Family. |
| It will remain one of his key commitments. | It will remain one of his key commitments. |
| How did Prince Edward manage to step back so successfully? John Weston | How did Prince Edward manage to step back so successfully? John Weston |
| Prince Edward and his wife the Countess of Wessex are now both working members of the Royal Family with a busy schedule of engagements. | Prince Edward and his wife the Countess of Wessex are now both working members of the Royal Family with a busy schedule of engagements. |
| But they both experienced difficulties when pursuing careers in the private sector: Sophie worked for a PR firm that was caught in a sting by a national newspaper and she was recorded making comments about members of the Royal Family; Edward had little success as a television producer. | But they both experienced difficulties when pursuing careers in the private sector: Sophie worked for a PR firm that was caught in a sting by a national newspaper and she was recorded making comments about members of the Royal Family; Edward had little success as a television producer. |
| They both gave up their careers and are now full-time "working royals" paid for using income from the Duchy of Lancaster, the Queen's private income. | They both gave up their careers and are now full-time "working royals" paid for using income from the Duchy of Lancaster, the Queen's private income. |
| How similar is the Harry and Megan situation compared to Duke of Windsor and Mrs Simpson? Jennifer Rogers | How similar is the Harry and Megan situation compared to Duke of Windsor and Mrs Simpson? Jennifer Rogers |
| Wallis Simpson was an American divorcee like Meghan Markle. | Wallis Simpson was an American divorcee like Meghan Markle. |
| In 1936, it was considered the public would never accept a divorcee as Queen. Edward VIII - the Queen's uncle - had to choose between the throne and Wallis Simpson. He chose her, thereby relieving himself of his position and all royal duties. | In 1936, it was considered the public would never accept a divorcee as Queen. Edward VIII - the Queen's uncle - had to choose between the throne and Wallis Simpson. He chose her, thereby relieving himself of his position and all royal duties. |
| Prince Harry and Meghan have said they wish to "step back" as senior royals suggesting they do intend to carry out some duties on behalf of the Queen. | Prince Harry and Meghan have said they wish to "step back" as senior royals suggesting they do intend to carry out some duties on behalf of the Queen. |
| This is their choice as opposed to a course of action they have no option but to follow. But - it is early days and it is really not clear yet how their part-royal, part-private roles will pan out. | This is their choice as opposed to a course of action they have no option but to follow. But - it is early days and it is really not clear yet how their part-royal, part-private roles will pan out. |
| What will happen to their house in Windsor, the refurbishment of which was funded by the public purse? Nancy Curtis | What will happen to their house in Windsor, the refurbishment of which was funded by the public purse? Nancy Curtis |
| On their website, the couple say they will continue to use Frogmore Cottage - their home on the Windsor estate - with the permission of its owner, the Queen. | On their website, the couple say they will continue to use Frogmore Cottage - their home on the Windsor estate - with the permission of its owner, the Queen. |
| They say the cottage will be their "official residence as they continue to support the monarchy, and so that their family will always have a place to call home in the United Kingdom". | They say the cottage will be their "official residence as they continue to support the monarchy, and so that their family will always have a place to call home in the United Kingdom". |
| They add that the refurbishment of the cottage was planned well before they decided to move in and their decision to live there saved money when compared with the refurbishment of another property at Kensington Palace. | They add that the refurbishment of the cottage was planned well before they decided to move in and their decision to live there saved money when compared with the refurbishment of another property at Kensington Palace. |
| Will the taxpayers still fund their houses and lifestyle? Margaret Rucklidge | Will the taxpayers still fund their houses and lifestyle? Margaret Rucklidge |
| On their website, Harry and Meghan say they will no longer receive funding through the Sovereign Grant, "thereby making them members of the Royal Family with financial independence". However, the couple say the grant only provides 5% of their income and it is unclear whether they will give up their other sources of funding. | |
| The couple will continue to be given a security detail paid for by the taxpayer-funded Metropolitan Police, which does not disclose the costs involved. | The couple will continue to be given a security detail paid for by the taxpayer-funded Metropolitan Police, which does not disclose the costs involved. |
| The couple's intention to travel back and forth from North America would likely add to this cost, but it is possible they will pay towards this - although it will be a large bill. | The couple's intention to travel back and forth from North America would likely add to this cost, but it is possible they will pay towards this - although it will be a large bill. |