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Here's who will likely take over Harry and Meghan's roles in the royal family

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry (Photo: Getty Images)
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry (Photo: Getty Images)

Cape Town – Royal expert, biographer and consultant for Netflix's The Crown has revealed who will likely take over Prince Harry and Meghan's roles after their decision to step back as senior members of the royal family.

In a bombshell announcement, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex shared their next step that resulted in a royal shake up. After much deliberation between Harry, Meghan and the rest of the royal family, the queen released a statement saying though she is supportive of their decision, they will lose their royal funds and their HRH titles, while no longer carrying out official royal duties.

So who will take over from Harry and Meghan with the new agreement and model to take effect in 2020? With the royal couple starting their new life in Canada, Robert Lacey says Prince Andrew's two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will step up to the plate.

"It's quite clear that one of the consequences is that Beatrice and Eugenie will now be brought forward – if they're willing to be brought forward," Robert told HELLO! Magazine. "If two go out, two have got to come in, and those two have got to be Beatrice and Eugenie."

Robert is likely drawing his conclusion from the fact that Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie follow Prince Harry as next in line to the British throne, as their father, the Duke of York, has stepped back himself amid his sexual misconduct scandal and his involvement with Jeffrey Epstein.

"I'm sure they will step forward and be greatly welcomed," Robert added. "It's what the family needs as it's another 15 years before Prince George's generation steps up. It's ironic that Harry mentioned his cousins as models of how he wants to be."

Robert is referring to the discussions that took place before the queen's final decision and statement was released. According to ITV's Chris Ship, behind the scenes, Harry expressed his desire to continue representing the queen and therefore wanted to take on a role similar to Beatrice and Eugenie.

"Each of them has an HRH title, and yet they are all able to earn an income whilst taking some public money from the Sovereign Grant – for whatever work they do representing the Queen," he writes.

According to the royal editor, Prince Michael – the grandson of King George V and first cousin of the Queen – also earns a living separate from royal funds from his consultancy business, while Princess Eugenie works for the art dealer Hauser and Wirth and Princess Beatrice has a job at the data company, Afiniti.

"We intend to step back as 'senior' members of the royal family and work to become financially independent," the Sussexes said in their statement earlier this month. They added that they also intended to do so "while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen", showing that their statement reflects their initial desire. But to quote Herman Eloff in his piece analysing the queen's decision in its entirety, "Where the queen displayed power, Harry showed heart."

READ MORE HERE: Queen Elizabeth just showed her power and Prince Harry his heart

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