London - Britain's Prince Harry and his
pregnant wife Meghan are to set up their own household, breaking
away from the joint operation they shared with the Harry's elder
brother William and his wife Kate, Buckingham Palace said on
Thursday.
Harry and Meghan, known officially as the Duke and Duchess
of Sussex, have shared staff with William and Kate since their
marriage in May last year. Queen Elizabeth has now agreed to
allow them to set up a new base at Buckingham Palace this
Spring.
"The Duke of Sussex currently has his own private office,
which has been supporting the Duchess since the engagement of
Their Royal Highnesses in November 2017," Buckingham Palace said
in a statement.
"This long-planned move will ensure that permanent support
arrangements for The Duke and Duchess’s work are in place as
they start their family and move to their official residence at
Frogmore Cottage."
British newspapers have reported since the end of last year
that there had been a rift between the two couples, although
there has been no public indication of any feud. Earlier this
week, the foursome appeared on good terms when they appeared
together at a Commonwealth Day service in London.
The change comes as former U.S. actress Meghan is due to
give birth to her first child with the queen's grandson this
Spring. The couple are also in the process of moving from a
cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace, where William and
Kate live, to a new home on the royal family’s Windsor Estate.
After their dazzling wedding ceremony at Windsor Castle, the
couple held the evening reception at Frogmore House, part of a
royal family residence since the 18th century. Their new home,
Frogmore Cottage, is on the grounds of the estate.