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  • Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are embarking on one last tour of official royal duties

  • in the U.K. before they step down as senior members of the royal family on March 31st,

  • 2020.

  • Their so-called "farewell tour" runs from March 5th until March 9th, and it marks the

  • first time that Meghan and Harry have appeared in public together since dropping the "Megxit"

  • bombshell in January 2020.

  • That being said, this isn't "goodbye" forever.

  • Markle and Harry are expected to continue visiting the U.K. for work on a regular basis,

  • in part, because they remain, quote, "1000% committed to their patronages," according

  • to a Guardian report.

  • Nonetheless, the fact that the couple is stepping-down is a major moment for the royal family.

  • The Sussexes have already set up their new home base in North America, with Markle flying

  • back to the U.K. from Canada to complete these final royal engagements for the queen.

  • While Markle seems ready to cut ties, Harry is reportedly having a tough time with it

  • all, according to Vanity Fair.

  • Here's a quick look at what's going on with Harry's farewell tour and why he may be having

  • a hard time saying goodbye.

  • Harry and Meghan's farewell tour began with an appearance at the Endeavour Fund Awards

  • for wounded veterans at London's Mansion House on March 5th.

  • On March 8th, Markle will appear at an event to celebrate International Women's Day.

  • The tour will end with a Commonwealth Day Service with the Queen and other members of

  • the royal family at Westminster Abbey on March 9th.

  • That service will mark the Sussexes' final royal engagement with the Queen.

  • The Sussexes had originally hoped to continue representing the Queen despite their new financial

  • independence, but that won't happen, as per their final agreement with her.

  • They also won't retain their HRH titles.

  • Already, Harry has prepared for the shift.

  • During an appearance at a summit in Edinburgh in February 2020, he told his fellow delegates

  • to, quote, "just call [him] Harry."

  • The Sussexes have been all smiles during their public appearances so far.

  • A source close to the couple told the Guardian that they're feeling "positive and excited"

  • about the future, and they're in "great form."

  • She's genuine.

  • She seems real.

  • Genuine smiles.

  • Both of their body languages, they're open and relaxed."

  • However, a close friend of Harry's has revealed that behind the scenes, this transition is

  • more difficult than it looks.

  • One of Prince Harry's oldest friends told Vanity Fair that this is, quote, "an emotional

  • time for [Harry] in many ways," saying,

  • "I think in many ways it's bittersweet.

  • He's always wanted to have a regular life and to get away from the spotlight, and that's

  • what he's doing, but it basically means walking away from his family.

  • Harry's a loving loyal guy so that will be very hard for him."

  • Ken Wharfe, who used to work as Princess Diana's bodyguard and watched Harry and Prince William

  • grow up, agreed, adding that there is a quote, "genuine sadness over what he's letting go."

  • Not only is Harry distancing himself from his family, but the queen's Megxit terms also

  • require him to relinquish his role as Captain General of the Royal Marines, the highest

  • rank of his honorary military titles.

  • This step is likely difficult for Harry, who spent 10 years in the army and remains passionate

  • about working with veterans.

  • Shortly after the Commonwealth Day Service, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expected

  • to return to Canada, where they left their son, Archie.

  • While the Sussexes are making major changes, none of them are set in stone forever.

  • These next 12 months will be a trial year of sorts.

  • Royal historian and author Hugo Vickers told the Guardian,

  • "The queen has left the door wide open.

  • It's almost as if she has seen that there is a good chance that their schemes won't

  • work."

  • Regardless of the rest of the royal family's feelings about Harry's choice to strike out

  • on his own, it's a decision that his late mom Princess Diana likely would have been

  • proud of, according to Ken Wharfe.

  • Wharfe told Vanity Fair,

  • "Diana always said you have to make your own way in this family and Harry is doing that.

  • I think she'd applaud him for what he's doing but I think she would advise him to think

  • very carefully about what he does next and to take some time.

  • Harry has made the choice to go and now he has to start all over again and I suspect

  • it's going to be a long road."

  • Luckily, he'll have Markle by his side every step of the way.

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are embarking on one last tour of official royal duties

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