Last royal outing for Prince Harry and Meghan before the "Megxit"

Last smiles before the cameras, before the big leap in life without the decorum of royalty: Prince Harry and his wife Meghan honored Monday, March 9, alongside Queen Elizabeth II, their last royal obligation before starting their new life in Canada.

Dressed in a sky blue coat and hat, the Queen arrived at London's Westminster Abbey, crowded with crowds, for Mass on Commonwealth Day. All eyes were on his grandson Harry, sixth in the order of his succession, who is preparing to return to Canada - a member of the Commonwealth - after having shaken the royal family with their desire for independence.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex depart the Commonwealth Day Service 2020 at Westminster Abbey. #SussexRoyal pic.twitter.com/ni3eVuG1oq

The Duke of Sussex, 35, and his wife Meghan, 38, have been driven straight to their seats this year instead of going up the central aisle of the abbey alongside the queen as the main members of the royal family. .

Quite a symbol, as the spouses will cease at the end of the month to be active members of the British royal family. They will no longer be able to use their titles of Royal Highnesses or officially represent the Queen. They will no longer benefit from public funds and will be free to tie commercial contracts and to monetize their status of glamorous people in charity galas.

The two thirties, who married in May 2018, embark on their new life on the west coast of Canada with their son Archie, 10 months, far from a royal shackles in which the younger son of Lady Di and the ex - American actress never seemed comfortable. Prince Harry has repeatedly denounced relentless pressure from the media, accusing the tabloids of racism towards his Métis wife. He said he feared that she would be hunted in the same way as her mother Diana, who died in a car accident in 1997 in Paris while being chased by paparazzi.

The "Megxit" aroused a lot of anger in the press or among the ardent supporters of the royal family, the couple being accused of wanting to take advantage of the advantages of their celebrity without undergoing the obligations.

"I'm here to tell you that I will always cover yours"

The couple, however, received a warm welcome for their latest public speeches, which took Harry to a recording studio with star Bon Jovi, to an automobile museum with driver Lewis Hamilton or in uniform for a ceremony recognizing the exploits of the military sick or injured.

Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex is appearing in his fully Captain General uniform for the Royal Marines Charity event while Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex is in a Safyaa dress. pic.twitter.com/ofsWPws6Fd

"Many of you have told me this evening that you are covering my rear. I am here to tell you that I will always cover yours," Prince Harry was moved during this last event, Thursday. The man the press said was bitter about having to give up his military service, and who served in Afghanistan, told the soldiers to be "proud to have served alongside (them) as Captain Wales".

Meghan's surprise visit to a college in East London drew joy from the students. In a speech related to women's rights day, she urged them, "whatever (their) skin color or (their) gender", to "defend what is right", and asked the young boys in particular to "set an example for certain men".

If the "Sussex" are currently installed in Canada, a country that refuses to continue paying for their security, their future activities remain shrouded in mystery.

The arrangement obtained with the royal family will be reviewed in a year, to give them the opportunity to return to the royal fold. According to the Sun, Queen Elizabeth II, 93, told her grandson at a recent lunch that the couple would always be welcome.

With AFP

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