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'Angry' swipe at the Queen in Harry and Meghan's response

Harry and Meghan released a statement following confirmation from Buckingham Palace that their exit from the royal family would be made permanent, but hidden in the formal words was a barely-hidden swipe at the Queen.

Buckingham Palace today released a statement confirmed the Duke and Duchess would not be returning to their royal lives.

The Queen Meghan and Harry
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's response to the Queen betrayed ongoing biterness between the camps. Photo: Getty Images

In it, a spokesperson wrote: "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.”

Harry and Meghan's response?

"We can all live a life of service. Service is universal."

There was also just the slightest sprinkle of sass in their sign off which promised they would remain committed to the organisations they were losing in title and patronage 'regardless of official role'.

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The subtle but more than perceptible dissonance between the statement hasn't escaped the notice of the experts.

The BBC's royal correspondent Jonny Dymond called the statements 'duelling' and the timing bizarre, writing that the public-facing commentary from both parties betrays ongoing bitterness between the two camps.

"There is more than a flash of anger in their words," he writes.

Harry and Meghan lose titles, patronages in final 'Megxit' deal

Harry Meghan official royal duties
Harry and Meghan's permanent exit resulted in them losing key military titles and patronages. Photo: Getty Images

The news broke this morning that a final deal had been brokered after Harry and Meghan confirmed they would not be returning to royal life after their exit in January last year.

In a bitter blow, the pair have lost their honorary military appointments and royal patronages which revert to the Queen and will be distributed among other family members.

Harry will be giving up his titles of the Captain-General the Royal Marines, Honorary Air Commandant of the RAF Honington, Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Navy Small Ships and Diving, President of The Queen's Commonwealth Trust, patron of the Rugby Football Union, and patron of the Rugby Football League.

He will retain his role of patron of the Invictus Games which he established.

Meghan will give up her role as Vice-President of The Queen's Commonwealth Trust, patron of the Royal National Theatre, and patron of the Association of Commonwealth Universities

The initial deal brokered by the Queen last year gave the pair their freedom from royal duties, but they had to agree not to use the word 'royal' in their branding and a 12-month review was agreed.

The full statement from Buckingham Palace reads:

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

The split will pave the way for the pair's decision to break their silence in a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey next month in which their exit from royal life will be discussed for the first time by the duo.

Meghan and Harry's full statement reads:

"We can all live a life of service. Service is universal. 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.”

Harry and Meghan initially left the UK for Canada after the first deal was brokered, later relocating to California where they currently live in Montecito in a sprawling mansion with their son Archie.

The announced on Sunday that they were expecting their second child.

Additional reporting by AAP.

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