The Duke and Duchess of Sussex last week announced they plan to work to become financially independent, and will split their time between the United Kingdom and North America in a "step back" from their royal duties. New details, like where the couple plans to live, continue to be released.
A royal spokesperson confirmed to NBC News that "from Spring onwards the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be spending the majority of their time in North America." The spokesperson did not provide more detail on potential locations.
Meghan is currently spending time in Canada, while the royal spokesperson confirmed that Harry will "be attending meetings in the U.K. on Monday."
Queen Elizabeth II issued a statement Monday that confirmed the royal couple plans to live in Canada at least part of the year.
"My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family," the statement said. "It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK."
She echoed an earlier statement sent out by the palace when news of the Sussexes' split broke, saying these are "complex matters for my family to resolve" and said she had asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days.
Meghan and Harry recently spent their Christmas holiday in the Vancouver area of Canada, but they have not specified where they will reside. The duchess previously lived in Toronto while working on the TV show "Suits."
The couple will also relinquish some of their titles. While they will continue to be known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Harry will remain a prince, they will no longer be referred to as "Royal Highness."
The official Sussex website indicates they also plan to retain their U.K. residence at Frogmore Cottage at Windsor.
“Frogmore Cottage will continue to be the property of Her Majesty the Queen,” the royal website says. “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will continue to use Frogmore Cottage — with the permission of Her Majesty The Queen — as 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.”
The two moved out of Kensington Palace and into Frogmore Cottage in March, just ahead of baby Archie's arrival in May.
According to their official website, they chose that location because their previous residence, Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace, “could not accommodate their growing family."
The other option, Apartment 1 in Kensington Palace, would have cost around $5 million to renovate, including asbestos removal. It also wouldn’t have been ready until 2020.
According to the official Sussex website, Frogmore Cottage was already being renovated when Meghan and Harry chose to move there. The renovations were done because it’s the monarchy’s responsibility to maintain buildings with historical significance, but Harry and Meghan footed the bill for other updates, the site said.
“Expenses related to fixtures, furnishings, and fittings at the official residence — which is owned by Her Majesty the Queen — were funded privately by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex,” the Sussex Royal site said.
However, Harry and Meghan’s move to Windsor was widely seen as the breaking up of a household that Harry had shared with his brother for the past decade. Monday, the royal brothers issued a joint statement denouncing an article from The Times of London that claimed Meghan and Harry had been pushed away from the royal family by a "bullying attitude" from Prince William.
"For brothers who care so deeply about the issues surrounding mental health, the use of inflammatory language in this way is offensive and potentially harmful," the statement said, in part.
The Sussex Royal website also explains how the royal pair plans to be funded after their break from royal duties.
The site said "95 percent of the funding received for their Office expenditure is derived from income allocated by HRH The Prince of Wales, generated through the Duchy of Cornwall."
“This provision has been in place since Prince William and Prince Harry first established their offices in support of The Queen, and is the responsibility of The Prince of Wales," it said.
According to the Duchy of Cornwall’s website, it’s a “well-managed private estate” that was established by Edward III in 1337.
The revenues from the estate are passed to the eldest surviving son of the monarch and heir to the throne. In recent history, funds have gone to Prince Charles, Harry's father and the Duke of Cornwall. He uses the revenues “to fund his public, charitable and private activities and those of his family," the site said.
Harry and Meghan previously got the other 5% of their income from the Sovereign Grant, funding the government grants the royal family and the queen to cover official expenses.
Under the new arrangement, the duke and duchess don't plan to continue to receive funding from the Sovereign Grant, "thereby making them members of the Royal Family with financial independence," the site said.
"As working members of the Royal Family, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain dedicated to maximising Her Majesty’s legacy both in the UK and throughout the Commonwealth," the site said. "They will continue to proudly do so by supporting their patronages and carrying out works for The Monarchy within the UK or abroad, as called upon."
This article was originally published on Jan. 8, 2020. It was updated on Jan. 13, 2020 to reflect the queen's statement.
