- Title: Royal farewell: UK's Harry and Meghan bow out from official roles
- Date: 9th March 2020
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (MARCH 9, 2020) (REUTERS) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** CARS ARRIVING OUTSIDE WESTMINSTER ABBEY/PRINCE HARRY AND WIFE MEGHAN GETTING OUT OF CAR VARIOUS OF HARRY AND MEGHAN WALKING INTO ABBEY DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE, PRINCE WILLIAM AND KATE, GETTING OUT OF CAR/ WALKING IN PRINCE WILLIAM AND KATE WALKING IN PRINCE OF WALES AND DUCHESS OF CORNWALL, PRINCE CHARLES AND CAMILLA, WALKING IN CAR ARRIVING BRITAIN'S QUEEN ELIZABETH WALKING IN CROWD/ FLAGS WAVING (SOUNDBITE) (English) CAITLYN CLIFFORD, FROM THE U.S, ASKED IF SHE IS SAD HARRY AND MEGHAN ARE STEPPING BACK, SAYING: 'I mean I think so, it's the end of an era, but I also totally get it, I think it's a good call for them and I think the queen and the rest of the family has been so supportive of them that it's sad but we're happy for them to go off and see the rest, do the rest of their lives, what they want to do, become happy." PEOPLE ON WALL WITH CAMERAS (SOUNDBITE) (English) LINDA RALPH, FROM TAMWORTH, ENGLAND, ASKED IF SHE IS EXCITED TO SEE ALL THE ROYALS TOGETHER, SAYING: "Really excited and a little bit sad, yeah." WESTMINSTER ABBEY/LINDA RALPH IN CROWD (SOUNDBITE) (English) LINDA RALPH, SAYING: "Harry has always been so popular and always people have been able to relate to him and now that element is going to go so I mean I know there is William but he is always going to be king so he is going to have that little bit of distance but Harry was sort of like one of us but not if you know what I mean." CROWD FILMING WESTMINSTER ABBEY WITH PHONE (SOUNDBITE) (English) JANNA WALKER FROM TEXAS, ASKED IF SHE THINKS PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN HAVE MADE THE RIGHT DECISION STEPPING BACK AS SENIOR ROYALS, SAYING: "I am not sure I think they are the only ones that can really make that decision but yes I think they need to do what's best for their family I hope that they continue to have harmony with the entire royal family." MEDIA LINED UP OUTSIDE WESTMINSTER ABBEY (SOUNDBITE) (English) JANNA WALKER, ASKED IF PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN STEPPING BACK WILL AFFECT POPULARITY OF ROYAL FAMILY, SAYING: "Oh no I think we will still be as much of a fan." (SOUNDBITE) (English) YOANN LABBE, FROM FRANCE, ASKED ABOUT PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN STEPPING BACK, SAYING: "We don't care, she (Meghan) is free so she make what she wants." EXTERIOR OF WESTMINSTER ABBEY BRITISH PRIME MINISTER BORIS JOHNSON'S FIANCEE CARRIE SYMONDS STEPPING OUT OF CAR/ SYMONDS AND JOHNSON WALKING IN SINGER CRAIG DAVID WALKING IN SINGER ALEXANDRA BURKE WALKING IN VARIOUS OF CROWDS
- Embargoed: 23rd March 2020 15:54
- Keywords:
- Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- City: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Royals
- Reuters ID: LVA001C4C0ABR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Britain's top royals came together on Monday (March 9) at London's Westminster Abbey in what was the last public family gathering before Prince Harry and his wife Meghan set off on a new career path devoid of official duties.
The annual Commonwealth Service was also the first time Harry and Meghan had been seen with Queen Elizabeth, his elder brother William and wife Kate, and father Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, since the couple thrashed out an exit deal from their royal roles in January.
The January agreement, which comes into action at the end of the month, will see the couple - the Duke and Duchess of Sussex - seek to carve out "a progressive new role", mainly based in North America, that they aim to finance themselves.
Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, will stop using their HRH titles - His or Her Royal Highness, will not use "royal" in their branding and Harry, who will remain a prince, will relinquish his military titles.
Monday's event to mark Commonwealth Day is their last official royal appearance and comes less than two years since they married in a dazzling ceremony of pomp and pageantry watched by millions worldwide. There is no certainty about when the family will next be seen together.
(Production: Will Russell, Sarah Mills) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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