Meghan Markle and her husband Prince Harry reportedly will be stripped of their remaining royal duties as it is confirmed they will take part in a tell-all Oprah Winfrey interview.
On Monday, it was revealed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will appear in a potentially explosive interview titled Oprah with Meghan and Harry: A CBS Primetime Special.
Palace insiders say there is ‘no way back’ to official duties for the couple, who quit as working royals and uprooted to the US almost a year ago.
It is understood the Queen is to ask them to relinquish their links with any organisations passed down through the Royal Family.
In a statement showrunners said the pair will talk about their move to the US and their “future hopes and dreams for their expanding family”.
It is understood that the TV special will last for 90 minutes to air on March 7.
The move is said to have sparked concern within the Palace, who were once again said to have been oblivious to the couple’s decision.
Some social media users likened the upcoming TV event to Princess Diana’s 1995 interview with Martin Bashir during which Harry’s mother, away from the control of the royal family, spoke openly about her treatment.
According to the Daily Mail, the pair are set to be stripped all of their remaining royal patronages.
It is claimed Meghan would have to step down as patron of the National Theatre, a role she was handed in 2019, while the couple’s links with the Commonwealth could also go, although this is reportedly less clear.
Such a move would also see Harry stripped of his three remaining honorary military titles and possibly his patronages with the Rugby Football Union, Rugby Football League and the London Marathon.
Meghan and Harry’s links with the commonwealth are also expected to go, though sources said this was a ‘grey area’.
It is understood the decision to strip the couple of their last remaining royal titles is not being done as a retaliation to the interview with Miss Winfrey.
It is being perceived that the chat was agreed because the couple could ‘see the direction of travel’ of their future royal roles.
Harry and Meghan agreed to a 12-month review of their new status when they quit royal life to become financially independent last year.
Sources say this was not so the pair could renegotiate their position, but as a safety net in case they moved abroad ‘and didn’t get a dime in the bank’.
The couple have since secured multi-million deals with companies including Spotify and Netflix, while Meghan has been investing in start-up businesses.
Although their futures are now assured, their decision to pursue commercial tie-ups has made their position as quasi-royals simply impossible, courtiers believe.
A source told the newspaper: “You can’t have one of the heads of state’s representatives flogging cups of coffee, it’s as a simple as that.”
Another said: “The interview has clearly come about because there is an understanding [with Harry and Meghan] that all remaining formal links with organisations will cease to exist.”
Another described the Oprah interview as ‘one of the most inevitable and, sadly, predictable consequences’ of the ‘Megxit’ saga’.
It was confirmed last night that the couple had agreed to a ‘wide-ranging’ talk with Miss Winfrey, who is their close friend and neighbour in California.
It is believed the programme has already been recorded and will air on CBS next month.
The 90-minute show will see the pair speak publicly about their bombshell decision to leave Britain and follows news that the couple are expecting their second child.
The interview will be staged in two parts, with Meghan first speaking about everything from ‘stepping into life as a royal, marriage, motherhood, philanthropic work to how she is handling life under intense public pressure’.
She will then be joined by Harry and the couple will speak about their move last year and their future ‘hopes and dreams for their expanding family’.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment about the interview, which will be aired six weeks before the Queen’s 95th birthday and in advance of celebrations for Prince Philip’s 100th.
A royal source said that as the couple were no longer working royals, any decisions taken with regard to ‘media commitments are matters for them’ and that they were ‘under no obligation’ to inform the Royal Household of their plans.
It is not known exactly when an announcement on the patronages will be made but the review date of the Royal arrangement is set to expire on March 31.
Meanwhile, the couple announced on Sunday they are expecting their second child in the Summer.
The Prince was said to be “delighted the secret is finally out” that they are expecting their second baby after swearing friends to secrecy for weeks.
One source revealed: “Harry excitedly messaged a whole host of his friends a few weeks ago saying that Meghan was pregnant and that the two of them were thrilled to bits.
“He had them all sworn to secrecy though so he’s absolutely overjoyed to finally share the news with the world.”
Their new baby is thought to be expected in late spring or early summer, with suggestions that Meghan is between five and seven months pregnant.
Harry is hoping to return to the UK this summer, to take part in the Trooping the Colour in London and attend any celebrations for the Queen’s 95th birthday and the Duke of Edinburgh’s 100th – all in June.
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