Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have told the Queen they will not be returning to life as working royals - but will they keep their Sussex titles?

A statement from the palace said the royals were "saddened by their decision" but that Harry and Meghan "remain much loved members of the family".

Buckingam Palace confirmed today: "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.

The Argus: Harry and MeghanHarry and Meghan

"While all are saddened by their decision, The Duke and Duchess remain much loved members of the family."

A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan said: "As evidenced by their work over the past year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain committed to their duty and service to the UK and around the world, and have offered their continued support to the organisations they have represented regardless of official role.

"We can all live a life of service.

"Service is universal."

Harry will be stripped of his honorary military commands and patronage appointments, the outcome of a 12-month review of the agreement that codified the couple’s withdrawal from duties as full-time royals.

Meghan will also lose her appointments, which include patron of the National Theater.

Under the terms of the severance agreement, hammered out in January 2020 at the queen’s country residence, Sandringham, the couple agreed to give up the titles His Royal Highness and Her Royal Highness.

They also dropped the royal from their charitable foundation and social media accounts.

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But they continue to be known as the duke and duchess of Sussex, titles bestowed on them by Elizabeth.

There is no indication those titles will be stripped from the couple.

Sky's royal correspondent, Rhiannon Mills, says it appears that "tense discussions" have been held about the couple's future and that they "don't sound happy" in their latest statement.

The news on their future comes ahead of an interview next month by Oprah Winfrey - and days after the couple announced they are expecting their second child.

The Argus: Harry and Meghan after their engagement announcement Harry and Meghan after their engagement announcement

Last year, hundreds of people called for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to be stripped of their titles following their shock decision to stand down.

The announcement came a month after Brighton & Hove City Council was forced to consider a petition snub the Sussex’s.

The petition, started by Charles Ross, attracted 3,881 signatures.

It said: “The petition aims to establish a precedent that Brighton and Hove City Council will no longer afford official hospitality to those with royal or aristocratic titles nor make usage of those titles in official documents as these titles are arbitrarily and unfairly acquired.”

The Labour leader of the council Nancy Platts said stripping royals of their titles was not a matter for a local authority as the power rested with the crown.

The couple visited Brighton in 2018.