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By Michael Holden
LONDON, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Britain's Prince Harry will make
his first public appearance on Thursday since Queen Elizabeth
acceded to the wishes of her grandson and his American wife
Meghan to step back from their senior royal roles and seek a
more independent future.
The prince, sixth-in-line to the throne, will host the draws
for next year's Rugby League World Cup at Buckingham Palace in
what is his last scheduled engagement before he and Meghan begin
a "period of transition" to their new roles.
Last week, Harry, 35, and former actress Meghan, 38, sparked
a crisis in British monarchy by announcing they wanted to reduce
their royal duties and spend more time in North America, while
also becoming financially independent.
The public announcement caught the rest of the royal family
by surprise and left the queen and other senior Windsors hurt
and disappointed, according to royal sources. A friend of Harry
and Meghan said the couple felt they had been driven out.
Following a family summit on Monday at her Sandringham
estate attended by Elizabeth, Harry, his elder brother Prince
William and his father and heir to the British throne, Prince
Charles, it was agreed that the couple would split their time
between Britain and Canada.
"Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time
working members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand
their wish to live a more independent life as a family while
remaining a valued part of my family," the 93-year-old monarch
said in a rare, highly personal statement.
The couple have said they want a "progressive" new role for
themselves and the ability to fund themselves. Currently they
are not allowed to seek private income and most of their money
comes from the private estate of Harry's father.
Meghan is currently in Canada with the couple's baby son
Archie where she has carried out a couple of low-key events this
week. Media reported that Harry would stay in Britain for
meetings next week as details about their future are hammered
out before joining her.
On Wednesday, Harry, who served for a decade in the British
army, published a video to announce the location of the next
Invictus Games sporting event for wounded military personnel,
indicating he would still give his support to causes he feels
strongly about.
As one of the world’s most glamorous couples, they have
struggled with intense media scrutiny, with Harry describing
some coverage of Meghan as bullying, akin to the treatment his
mother Princess Diana endured before her death in a 1997 car
crash.
Some observers have criticised British media for racism in
its coverage of Meghan, whose mother is African-American.
This week, the Mail on Sunday newspaper submitted its
defence to court action by Meghan over the publication of a
private letter she sent to her estranged father, Thomas Markle.
The case could see Markle testify against her.
"There is a huge and legitimate public interest in the royal
family and the activities, conduct and standards of behaviour of
its members," lawyers for the paper said in documents submitted
to London’s High Court.
(Editing by Stephen Addison/Guy Faulconbridge)