Is Harry still a prince after leaving Royal duties?
Everything you need to know about the the British Royal Family line to the throne
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will not return as working royals, it was confirmed on 19 February.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement that the Queen had written confirming Harry and Meghan would not be able to continue with royal duties, and their honorary military appointments and royal patronages would be returned.
A spokesperson for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex said the couple “remain committed to their duty and service to the UK and around the world” regardless of their role within the royal family.
The couple shocked the world when they announced their decision to step back as senior members of the royal family in January last year.
The move prompted the Queen to organise a crisis summit regarding their future roles and it also raised a number of questions about what the exit will mean for the monarchy, from how the couple will fund their lifestyle to the impact on the line of succession.
While the couple accepted that their decision to walk away from their royal roles means they will no longer receive public funding or be able to use their HRH titles, it has been confirmed that Prince Harry will maintain his current position in line to throne, which is sixth.
This is because the positioning is based on legislation meaning the government would have to step in to remove someone from the list.
Historian and author Marlene Koenig told Royal Central: “Succession to the throne is based on legislation including the Succession to the crown Act, which includes the Act of Settlement.
“It would take an act of Parliament to remove a person from the line of succession.”
While this is incredibly rare, it has happened once before. In 1936, Edward VIII abdicated from the throne, sparking a constitutional crisis which resulted in the King denouncing his position so he could marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson.
However he could not do this without an act of parliament.
Currently, Prince Charles is first in line and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, will become Queen when he takes the throne.
The Duke of Cambridge is now second in line and will follow in his father's footsteps with his wife Kate Middleton at his side.
At present, the royal couple have three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, who each respectively sit third, fourth and fifth in the line of succession.
In 2011, Commonwealth leaders agreed to change the succession laws so that both sons and daughters have the equal right to the throne.
Previous to this, the crown was passed lineally in birth order, but subject to male preference over females.
Prince Harry remains sixth in line to the throne after his niece and nephews. However, it is worth noting that, if the Cambridge family expands, the royal will keep moving down the line of succession.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments