Harry, Meghan return to UK for final royal duty
Credit to Author: Agence France-Presse| Date: Thu, 20 Feb 2020 16:12:25 +0000
LONDON: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will return to the United Kingdom later this month to carry out their final official engagements before they step down as senior members of the royal family, a spokesman for the couple said Wednesday (Thursday in Manila).
In a guidance statement, the spokesman confirmed that Harry and Meghan’s office at Buckingham Palace would officially close and that the couple would begin a 12-month transition period from March 31, as they work on establishing their non-profit organization.
Prince Harry will drop into a session by musician Jon Bon Jovi in which he will re-record his song “Unbroken” with the Invictus Games Choir on February 28.
The couple will attend a series of other events through March, including the Endeavour Fund Awards “to recognize wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans who have gone on to use sport and adventurous challenge as part of their recovery and rehabilitation,” according to the statement, as well as an annual performance at the Royal Albert Hall to raise money for Her Majesty’s Royal Marines and CLIC Sargent, a UK cancer charity for children.
The engagements were announced as Buckingham Palace discusses whether the couple could continue to use the word “Royal” for their new venture, according to a royal source.
Discussions are still underway but the likely direction is that the term will not be a part of the Sussexes’ branding. “As the Duke and Duchess are stepping back as senior members of the royal family and will work towards financial independence, use of the word ‘Royal’, in this context, needed to be reviewed. Discussions are still ongoing. However, a change will be announced alongside the launch of their new non-profit organization,” the statement said, adding that details of the organization would be shared at the end of the year.
AFP