Buckingham Palace says Harry and Megan’s decision has brought ‘complicated issues’

According to the couple, 95% of their income is drawn from the Prince of Wales. He pays for their public duties and this funding amounted to over £5m in 2018-19. It comes from the money from the Duchy of Cornwall, a portfolio of property and financial investments, which amounted to £21.6m last year.

Around 5% of the Sussexes’ income is derived from the Sovereign Grant which is paid to the Royal Family from the government to cover the cost of duties and maintenance of royal palaces.

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“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution. We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment. We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages. This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity. We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties. Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support.” – The Duke and Duchess of Sussex For more information, please visit sussexroyal.com (link in bio) Image © PA

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Jan 8, 2020 at 10:33am PST

As someone once paid to follow the Royals, I wonder this: if and when Harry & Meghan appear in public in the U.K. again, how will they cope with hearing boos from sections of a crowd? #Harrymeghan #harryandmegan pic.twitter.com/p3PY1t6P7E

— Colin Brazier (@colinbraziersky) January 9, 2020

More here on Sussex Royal website. They want to be financially independent from the Sovereign Grant but say they will still use Frogmore Cottage and carry out official overseas visits paid for by the Sovereign Grant so that part is a little confusing. https://t.co/qsRGcbpTI6

— Victoria Murphy (@byQueenVic) January 8, 2020

NEW NEIGHBOR: Meghan who?
MEGHAN [after a long look into the distance]: Meghan Skywalker

— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) January 8, 2020

Season 9 of The Crown just got interesting. https://t.co/9e6nR6Dnl9

— Mark Harris (@MarkHarrisNYC) January 8, 2020