Overnight, Kensington Palace confirmed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have officially split from the Royal Foundation – a charity originally set up in 2009 by William and Harry, with Kate joining when she became the Duchess of Cambridge in 2011 and Meghan when she joined the royal family in May 2018.
According to reports, Kate and William will stay with the Royal Foundation, which will become the “sole charitable vehicle of the Cambridges,” and Harry and Meghan will set up their own charity by the end of the year.
The announcement is seen as the final step in the division of the two couples’ public duties. After Harry and Meghan set up their own household away from Kensington Palace – their offices are now at Buckingham Palace and their royal residence is at Frogmore Cottage, Windsor – and set up their own social media channels, it only makes sense for the families to work on their own charity work.
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“These changes are designed to best complement the work and responsibilities of Their Royal Highnesses as they prepare for their future roles, and to better align their charitable activity with their new households,” Kensington Palace said in a statement.
Royal reporter Rebecca English noted that the split has nothing to do with a royal rift and the four royals will continue to work with Heads Together – a mental health organisation.
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