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It's 31 March 2020 and Harry and Meghan have officially made the unprecedented move and stepped down as senior members of the royal family.
Following a rocky start to the year – and years of scrutiny by the press, let's not forget – it was decided by the queen that after their January announcement, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would exit the royal firm and begin their new life independent of their sovereign funds, HRH titles and the royal family, come 1 April.
So on Monday, they closed up shop, beginning with their Sussex Royal Instagram account.
'WHILE YOU MAY NOT SEE US HERE, THE WORK CONTINUES'
"As we can all feel, the world at this moment seems extraordinarily fragile. Yet we are confident that every human being has the potential and opportunity to make a difference—as seen now across the globe, in our families, our communities and those on the front line—together we can lift each other up to realise the fullness of that promise," they began, addressing in part the current global coronavirus pandemic, in their final post on Instagram.
They continued, "As we all find the part we are to play in this global shift and changing of habits, we are focusing this new chapter to understand how we can best contribute."
"While you may not see us here," they added, "the work continues..."
Their Instagram account with the handle @sussexroyal will remain active but will no longer be used by Harry and Meghan as they give up all use of the word royal in their branding going forward.
See their final post to their online community that shared, with them, a "commitment to the good in the world" here:
SO WHAT NOW? SECURITY, TITLES AND LA
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex ended their official royal duties on 9 March already, but now it's official. And they've already begun settling into their new life which isn't in Canada, as we thought it might be, but the US, more specifically, Los Angeles, California.
Though their focus is on Archie right now and sharing resources and information about the coronavirus, for the time being, the couple will keep their patronages and charitable entities – which includes the Invictus Games and Travelyst for Harry – and it will move over to their non-profit organisation that the couple is still working on establishing. But the couple's already got a few other projects in the works, with Disney releasing its first trailer for their documentary about elephants, which is narrated by none other than Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.
More information came to light on Monday though that Harry and Meghan would now be represented by the well-known Hollywood PR agency, Sunshine Sachs, according to ITV News. They will take over their publicity with the Sussex's Buckingham Palace office shutting down and most of their staff being relocated within the royal household. Harry and Meghan have already appointed Catherine St Laurent though, who used to work for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to join their new team.
"From our very first conversation, Harry and Meghan have expressed a deep commitment to improving lives and having a positive impact on society. Their perspective on the role that empathy, connection, and compassion can play in that mission is both deeply personal and incredibly timely. I am delighted and honoured to be able to play a role in realising their vision as they embark on this journey of learning, listening, and inspiring all of us to act," Catherine said.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump made it abundantly clear over the weekend that the US will not cover Harry and Meghan's security costs to which they responded, 'No one asked you.'
No seriously, a spokeswoman for the couple said, "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have no plans to ask the US government for security resources. Privately funded security arrangements have been made."
(ONE LAST ROYAL ENGAGEMENT: Harry and Meghan attended the Commonwealth Day Service on 9 March. Photo: Getty Images.)
'WE LOOK FORWARD TO RECONNECTING WITH YOU SOON'
The royal life may be over for Harry and Meghan, but their fairytale continues in a new city with a brand new outlook.
As a source close to the couple told People earlier this month, "Harry is looking straight ahead at his future with his family. He's not looking back."
So though the couple's farewell is bittersweet, you can't help but feel the optimism even in their goodbye.
"Thank you to this community - for the support, the inspiration and the shared commitment to the good in the world," they wrote on Instagram on Monday with an upbeat, "We look forward to reconnecting with you soon. You've been great!
"Until then, please take good care of yourselves, and of one another," they added, with the prince leaving his title behind and the two signing off, "Harry and Meghan."
(27 NOVEMBER 2017: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend an official photocall to announce their engagement and the beginning of their new life together. Photo: Getty Images.)
