Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2017 (photo: Getty Images)
Cover Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2017 (photo: Getty Images)

An official announcement from Buckingham Palace states that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have completed their one-year review and will be stepping away permanently

Additional reporting by Andrea Saadan.

One year after their surprise Instagram announcement that they would step away from the British royal family, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have announced they will not return as working royals

On top of that, they have signed on for a 90-minute "tell-all" interview with Oprah Winfrey, set to air on CBS in the United States on March 7. Media reports state that the lengthy TV interview with veteran host Winfrey will be wide-ranging and cover topics such as marriage, parenthood, their life under intense public pressure and the decision to quit royal working life.

Since the couple's departure, they have settled in Montecito, California, inked a lucrative multi-year Netflix deal reportedly worth US$150 million, a Spotify deal reportedly worth US$35 million. 

Buckingham Palace issued an official statement about the couple's permanent departure last week: "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have confirmed to Her Majesty The Queen that they will not be returning as working members of The Royal Family.  

(Related: Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Are Stepping Back As “Senior” Royals, Buckingham Palace Says It’s “Complicated”)

"Following conversations with The Duke, The Queen has written confirming that in stepping away from the work of The Royal Family it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service. The honorary military appointments and Royal patronages held by The Duke and Duchess will therefore be returned to Her Majesty, before being redistributed among working members of The Royal Family.
 
"While all are saddened by their decision, The Duke and Duchess remain much loved members of the family."

Along with this formal separation, the couple's military, Commonwealth, and charitable associations will revert to the Queen. These include Harry's titles with the Royal Marines, RAF Honington, Royal Navy Small Ships and Diving, the Queen's Commonwealth Trust, the Rugby Football Union, the Rugby Football League, the Royal National Theatre, and the Association of Commonwealth Universities.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex recused themselves from royal life last year. In an Instagram post dated January 8, 2020, they wrote: "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."

It was reported at the time that the post was published without prior consultation with other members of the royal family. 

(Related: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are Expecting Their Second Child)