Harry and Meghan: Duke of Sussex stripped of Royal Navy roles after confirming couple will not return as working royals

Former soldier Harry spent a decade in the military, risked his life on the frontline in Afghanistan, and took great pride in his association with the Armed Forces.

The couple have been stripped of their prestigious patronages and his military roles following their decision to walk away from the monarchy and move to the US.

Buckingham Palace said all were ‘saddened’ by their decision, but they remained ‘much loved members of the family’

It had been reported that Harry, a former Army officer with a passion for the military family, was eager to retain his formal links with the UK’s Armed Forces.

But he will lose his Royal Navy roles as Captain General of the Royal Marines and Honorary Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Naval Commands’ Small Ships and Diving.

As well as his title as Honorary Air Force Commandant of the Royal Air Force Base Honington.

Such was Harry’s dedication to his honorary military positions that he sued the publisher of The Mail On Sunday and MailOnline for libel and won over false claims he had snubbed the Royal Marines after stepping down as a senior royal.

Harry took over as Captain General of the Royal Marines from his grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, who is currently unwell in hospital, in December 2017.

Philip spent 64 years in the role. Harry held the position for three – and for one of those years it was on hold after he quit royal duties.

But the duke remained committed to maintaining his links with the forces and has private patronages connected to the services.

SEE ALSO: White Royal Navy admiral sues government for being paid £52,000 less than black woman in same job

A source said on Friday that Harry and Meghan had 'absolutely, no question’ wanted to retain the positions they have lost.

‘They do respect the decision but they always made clear they were committed to doing those roles,’ the source said.

The announcement from Buckingham Palace marks a difficult end to a fraught experience for the royal family.

Harry and Meghan sparked a major royal crisis when they dropped the bombshell that they wanted to quit as senior royals on January 8 2020.

They released a shock statement, without warning the monarch, saying they intended to step down and become financially independent, but still fully support the Queen – a dual role which in the end was unworkable.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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