Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Quietly Downgraded On Royal Website
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle remain part of the royal website, but their profiles and that of Prince Andrew have been downgraded.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex previously had their full separate profiles on the royal website even after they stepped back from their royal duties. However, this was changed recently when their profiles were quietly removed, and they now share a joint biography on the website, the Daily Mail reported.
"As announced in January 2020, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have stepped back as working members of The Royal Family. The couple married in St George's Chapel, Windsor, on 19 May 2018 and have two children: Prince Archie of Sussex and Princess Lilibet of Sussex," their new joint biography reads.
Prince Harry's profile initially included a 2,700-word biography detailing his early life, education and army career. It also featured glossy pictures of the royal from his previous engagements and sporting initiatives.
Additionally, an entire section entitled "Supporting the Monarch" highlighted his time as a working royal under his late grandmother Queen Elizabeth's reign. It mentioned Prince Harry representing Her Majesty in the United Kingdom and abroad for state and ceremonial occasions.
Meanwhile, Markle's separate profile included a 1,300-word biography highlighting her education and career as an actress. It also acknowledged her charitable works and engagements when she was still a working royal. However, there was no mention of her own family.
Prince Harry and Markle's new profile has a combined word count of 577. Many details were redacted from their original profiles.
Since they now share a profile, the main photo on the page features the duo arm in arm on a beach. The snap was taken during their 2018 tour of Australia when they talked to the members of OneWave, an awareness group for mental health and well-being, at South Bondi Beach. The royal couple received a warm welcome from the locals, with Markle receiving a pink garland and Prince Harry a blue one.
Prince Andrew's profile was also updated. His shortened biography now begins with the announcement of his withdrawal from public duty and the Queen's decision to strip him of his military affiliations and royal patronages.
"On 13 January 2022, Buckingham Palace announced that, with Queen Elizabeth II's approval and agreement, The Duke of York's military affiliations and Royal patronages would be returned to Her late Majesty, and The Duke would not return to public duties. Before stepping back from public life, The Duke of York undertook a wide range of public work, with a strong economic and business focus," the Duke of York's updated biography reads.
