Sad Day: Meghan Markle & Prince Harry Are Officially Dissolving Their Joint Office with Prince William and Kate Middleton

Today, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle officially separated themselves from Prince William and Kate Middleton. And while we knew it was coming, that doesn’t make it any easier.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex dissolved their joint court at Kensington Palace and created an office for themselves separate from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Markle and Prince Harry’s decision to begin forging their own path, both with their forthcoming move to Frogmore Cottage and their offices, has gained support from Prince Charles. The changes will go into effect this spring (so, like, soon).

According to a statement from the palace, “This long-planned move will ensure that permanent support arrangements for the duke and duchess’s work are in place as they start their family and move to their official residence at Frogmore Cottage.” 

The couple’s offices will leave Kensington Palace and be relocated to Buckingham Palace, where their staff will join Queen Elizabeth’s. Prince William and Middleton’s office will remain in Kensington Palace, where they reside with Prince George (5), Princess Charlotte (3) and Prince Louis (9 months).

Harry and Meghan’s new office will include a new communications staff, which will be part of the Buckingham Palace communication team and will report to the queen’s communications secretary, Donal McCabe. Until the team is set in place, Kensington Palace will continue to support the couple.

But before you start thinking the worst, it’s worth noting this change was always in the cards. Although the brothers have come as a package deal for as long as we can remember, their paths are heading in very different directions. Since Prince William is second in line to the British royal throne and Prince Harry is sixth, the split of their offices was inevitable. It’s important for William to prepare to eventually become reigning monarch and for Harry and his growing family to establish their own charitable efforts and communication team.

They may not be the royal Fab Four of Kensington Palace anymore, but at least we’ll always have the memories.