Instead, they will effectively stand down, giving up royal duties and relinquishing their share of the sovereign grant from the Treasury. This is not what the Sussexes wanted. Their story has often been compared to that of another duke and duchess: Edward VIII, who abdicated to marry the American divorcee Wallis Simpson. Concerns about duty are compounded by the understanding that the UK’s monarchy is a matter of showbusiness too. Slimming down the institution may well be in its best interests, however it plays out for those exiting the stage.

Source: The Guardian January 19, 2020 18:31 UTC