After BP’s last press release and Harry’s goodbye speech, it’s been pretty quiet on the Sussexit front, except for a bunch of junk that’s not been substantiated so I’ve ignored it. But today BP confirmed more details of the exit plan: when it will officially take place, and Prince Harry‘s and The Duchess of Sussex‘s last engagements.

The official date of exit for Harry and Meghan is March 31, after which they will no longer have an office at Buckingham Palace and their 15 person staff will be let go. Before then, Harry and Meghan will carry out a farewell tour, if you will, of engagements at the beginning of March.

Harry will undertake the following engagements:

• February 28 – visit an Invictus Games Choir recording session.
• March 5 – attend the Endeavour Fund Awards.
• March 6 – attend the opening of immersive museum the Silverstone Experience.
• March 7 – attend the Mountbatten Music Festival.
• March 9 – attend Commonwealth Day Service.

Meghan will undertake the following engagements:

• March 5 – attend the Endeavour Fund Awards.
• March 7 – attend the Mountbatten Music Festival.
• March 8 – mark International Women’s Day.
• March 9 – attend Commonwealth Day Service.

Though the couple will no longer have a BP office, they will be represented by their UK charity arm. They still plan on splitting time between the US and UK, and will continue with their philanthropic pursuits through their charity.

The themes of their work will be a continuation of the causes those they already support. “The Duke’s priorities remain supporting the welfare of servicemen and women, conservation, sport for social development, HIV, and Travalyst which works to mobilize the tourism and travel industry for social good,” a spokesperson said, adding: “For The Duchess, her focus remains women’s empowerment, gender equality and education.”

T&C

Interestingly, Harry’s military appointment positions, which he will be stepping down from, will remain open during the 12-month review period. Basically leaving the door wide open for if he decides to come back into the royal fold a year from now.

In “not officially confirmed yet but most likely will be in the near future” news, the DM reports that Harry and Meghan’s use of the word “Royal” in the couple’s “Sussex Royal” branding will be prohibited. After the DM dropped that nugget, all the royal reporters got confirmation from a “royal source” that discussions surrounding the “Royal” branding are still ongoing.

A royal source says: “As the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are stepping back as senior members of the Royal Family and will work towards financial independence, use of the word ‘Royal’, in this context, needed to be reviewed. Discussions are still ongoing.”

The same source adds: “As part of the process to transition the Duke and Duchess of Sussex into their new chapter, planning has been well underway around the launch of their new non-profit organisation. Details will be shared in due course.”

Richard Palmer Tweet 1 & 2

I don’t want to quote or link the original DM article about the royal branding, but I will link this DM article which goes into detail about the laws governing use of words and images relating to the Crown and why Harry and Meghan’s use of the word “royal” would be prohibited. Essentially, what it comes down to, is that there are actual laws, which were set up decades ago, against commercializing of royal status in order to protect the Crown and public from fraud. Use of “Sussex Royal” is not solely the Queen’s decision, and the prohibition of it is not a retaliation strategy; Harry and Meghan must comply with UK laws.

Any changes to their “Sussex Royal” branding won’t be announced until they announce their charity, I guess.

I don’t usually cover Harry’s solo engagements unless he says something really interesting, but I am looking forward to Meghan’s upcoming engagements.