In a significant development, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have decided to separate from the Royal Organisation, breaking ties with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to establish their own charitable foundation.
This move marks the culmination of a process that began as Harry and Meghan expressed their desire to pursue their humanitarian endeavors independently.
Following a meeting between William and Harry alongside trustees of the Royal Foundation to finalize the arrangements, the decision to split was officially announced.
The original foundation, now rebranded as the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, will continue to be managed by the Cambridges.
Despite earlier assurances from royal aides that the four individuals would continue to support the charity together, the Sussexes made their intentions clear in the spring to establish their own base and distance themselves from Kensington Palace and the Cambridges.
Their residence at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor serves as their royal abode, where they also conduct official business with the aid of a dedicated public relations manager and their own Sussex royal Instagram feed.
Founded in 2009 by William and Harry, the Royal Foundation saw Kate joining in 2011 upon becoming the Duchess of Cambridge, followed by Meghan in May 2018 after her marriage to Prince Harry.
Although rumors of discord between the couples have circulated, particularly involving Kate and Meghan, and later between the two brothers, aides stress that the differing priorities and agendas of the pairs stem from the future roles William and Kate are destined for as the future Prince and Princess of Wales, with William ultimately set to ascend to the throne.
The restructuring is aimed at aligning the work and responsibilities of the royal couples with their future roles, as they seek to enhance their philanthropic efforts in line with their new residences.
Kensington Palace affirmed that both couples will continue to collaborate on initiatives such as the Heads Together mental health campaign, despite their decision to operate separate charitable foundations.
The quartet, affectionately dubbed the Fab Four, earned this moniker following a joint appearance at the inaugural Royal Foundation Forum in London back in February 2018.
In a separate royal development, Queen Margaret II of Denmark recently announced that four of her grandchildren will no longer hold the titles of Prince or Princess, nor the HRH styling.
This decision, which affects the children of her younger son Prince Joachim, has left Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksberg, visibly distressed.
Alexandra, who shares children Prince Nikolaj and Prince Felix with Prince Joachim, expressed shock and sadness at the sudden change, emphasizing the confusion and exclusion her children are experiencing due to the loss of their titles.
As part of the Danish royal family's efforts to streamline its structure, the affected grandchildren will now be referred to as His Excellency Count of Monpozat or Her Excellency Countess of Monpozat, effective from January 1.
This move, while not altering the succession plan, aligns with similar reforms undertaken by other European monarchies, including Sweden.
Such adjustments aim to afford the grandchildren greater autonomy in shaping their lives without the constraints associated with formal ties to the royal institution, ensuring a more contemporary and efficient approach to royal affairs.
