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Prince Harry Just Announced His Resignation Date as March 31, But the Line of Succession Will Likely Remain Unchanged

ICYMI: Nearly a month after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle officially announced their decision to cease being working royals, the couple has finally revealed the day of their formal exit.

Yes, according to a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, the 35-year-old prince and 38-year-old duchess will step down on March 31, with their Buckingham Palace-based offices set to close on April 1. From there, the couple will be free to focus entirely on their new Sussex Royal, the Charity Foundation and on forging their paths sans HRH titles.

Due to a loophole in the agreement reached between the Sussexes and Queen Elizabeth II, it appears the stipulation of their newly tailored roles will be up for renegotiation in a year (April 1, 2021). One thing that won’t change? Prince Harry’s (and Archie’s) place in the royal line of succession.

Despite all the changes, the Duke of Sussex will still retain his right to the British royal throne. He remains the sixth in line, behind Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince George (6), Princess Charlotte (4) and Prince Louis (1).

In addition to his place as sixth in line, the duke and his wife will also keep their titles of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as well as their Earl and Countess of Dumbarton and Baron and Baroness Kilkeel monikers, which they use while in Scotland and Northern Ireland, respectively. It’s important to note that while they will also technically still be considered Her and His Royal Highnesses, they have agreed to no longer actively use those prefixes.

Now we wait for their last big royal hurrah at the March 9 Commonwealth Day celebrations. We’re counting down the days.

Meghan Markle & Prince Harry Just Made Their First Public Appearance Since Leaving the U.K.



Lex Goodman

Cat mom, yogi, brunch enthusiast

Lex is an LA native who's deeply obsessed with picnics, Slim Aarons, rosé, Hollywood history and Joan Didion. She joined PureWow in early 2017.
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