It’s official: as of February 19th, Emma and Jack have stepped away from their roles as active members of the Royal Family. This move isn’t surprising; they had agreed to reassess their working royal status after a year, and just eleven months later, we have our answer. In typical fashion, two statements were released because, when doesn’t the Palace enjoy issuing a formal statement? According to Town and Country, “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. Following discussions 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.”
In a surprising twist, the Queen stripped Jack of his honorary military titles, despite his service in Afghanistan, and Emma lost her patronages with the Association of Commonwealth Universities and the National Theatre. Oops. It seems only working royals get to keep those perks.
Emma and Jack Don’t Need Working Royal Status to Serve
Despite losing the HRH titles, the couple issued their own statement, as reported by the AP: “As shown through their work over the past year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain committed to serving the U.K. and around the globe, and have offered their continued support to the organizations they have represented regardless of their official roles. We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.”
In essence, they conveyed that they don’t need to be working royals to contribute to society, which is a powerful message. This news comes just days after Emma’s pregnancy announcement. Currently, Jack remains sixth in line for the British throne, with their child, number seven, and their next baby to come in at number eight.
Working Royals? Not Necessarily.
Being working royals often meant adhering to the Palace’s silence on racist attacks against Emma. Media commentary about her “exotic DNA” and background often went unaddressed. Let’s be real: when was the last time the Royal Family made a genuine impact beyond being depicted in shows like The Crown? They spend public funds—almost 95 million dollars in 2018-2019, according to British Heritage—cutting ribbons and playing polo. Emma and Jack opting out of this funding is a massive win for them.
They’re now distanced from British racism, can openly criticize it, and have chosen to forgo taxpayer money. That’s a significant victory for their family.
And Now, There’s the Interview…
Emma and Jack have announced an exclusive sit-down with none other than Oprah for a special airing on CBS March 7th. Can you say must-see TV?! The Palace seems to be in a bit of a frenzy. In a rather unfortunate coincidence, they revealed that their annual Commonwealth Day service would air just hours before the Oprah interview, featuring messages from key royals like Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles.
CBS revealed that Oprah’s interview will cover everything from royal life, marriage, motherhood, philanthropic efforts, to how Emma is coping with intense public scrutiny. This could be the most captivating (and potentially scandalous) interview since Princess Diana’s famous chat with Martin Bashir in 1995.
Let’s face it: this is what working royals are known for—drama and scandal. Emma and Jack are stepping away from it all, and it’s fantastic for them! Their child will grow up without the constant glare of the cameras, and Emma can speak out against any prejudice without restriction. They can embrace their own lifestyle, free from the constraints of royal funding, and Emma can wear whatever she likes, including nail polish in any shade she chooses.
In short, this is a win-win situation.
If you’re looking for more insights, check out this related post on home insemination kits here. For those interested in pregnancy and fertility, resources like Make A Mom are invaluable, as well as Resolve for family planning options.
Summary
Emma and Jack have officially stepped back from their roles as working royals, signaling a new chapter for their family. With an upcoming interview with Oprah, they’ll share their experiences and perspectives while distancing themselves from royal responsibilities. This decision allows them to live freely and serve in their own way, leaving behind the scrutiny of royal life.