Jan 20, 2020

Prince Harry addresses his and Meghan Markle's royal decision

rince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend a reception to celebrate the UK and South Africa’s important business and investment relationship

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Oct. 2. Photo: Samir Hussein/WireImage

Prince Harry told a London charity event Sunday he and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, had "no other option" but to step back from working as senior members of Britain's royal family.

Why it matters: In his first speech since the couple agreed to relinquish their "royal highness" titles in order to split their time between the U.K. and North America, Harry expressed "great sadness" about the move. He alluded to British press harassment in his speech, saying "the media is a powerful force." They hoped to continue to with duties "without public funding," he said. "Unfortunately, that wasn't possible."

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