Here’s What Life Will Look Like for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Now

After Prince Harry and Meghan Markle dropped their bombshell news that they would be stepping back from royal life, many have speculated what their new lives will entail. After an emergency meeting between senior members of the Royal family and statements from the Queen, as well as the Palace, it seems as though the Duke and Duchess are moving far more than what could be classified as a step.

In her official statement, the Queen acknowledged the difficulties the couple has faced and her hopes for a more peaceful life for her grandson and his family.

"Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family,” the Queen’s statement said. "I recognize the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life.”

So what does that independent life look like? Here’s what we know.

They Will No Longer Use Their HRH Tiles

HRH is an abbreviation of His/Her Royal Highness and is used as part of the title of some members of the Royal family. The couple will still be referred to as the Duke and Duchess Sussex, but royal analysts say dropping their HRH title ensures that they will not profit from being a member of the royal family. So, as they forge their new independent life, they aren’t using the HRH title to book speaking engagements, sell merchandise or market themselves. Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, famously lost her HRH title after divorcing Prince Charles.

They Will No Longer Formally Represent the Queen

This means no more tours or official duties on behalf of the queen for either Harry or Meghan. Harry will also no longer have any official military appointments. While the couple originally stated that they wanted to continue to represent the Queen–and royal insiders say that Harry would have liked to continue his military appointments–it seems that this was not a realistic considering what the couple wanted and what the royal family wanted.

They Will Not Accept Public Funds

They will no longer accept money from the Sovereign Grant, which is money from British taxpayers that supports the queen and senior royals.

They Will Repay for Renovations to Their Home

When the couple is in the U.K., they will continue to live in their current home of Frogmore Cottage. However, Harry and Meghan have agreed to pay back the $3 million from tax payers that was used to update and renovate the home before they moved in.

They Will Have Security but it’s Not Clear Who is Paying for It

Since the couple is no longer accepting public funds and Buckingham Palace does not comment on the details of security arrangements, many have speculated that Prince Charles will pay for their security from his own funds.

Harry Still Remains Sixth in Line for the Throne

Even with all of these changes, Harry remains sixth in line to the throne. The official order, according to the British rules of succession, is his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, his father, Prince Charles, his older brother, Prince William, then Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

The Changes Are Not Immediate

According to the palace statement, these changes will begin in the spring of 2020.