Prince Harry has delivered a candid and revealing speech during a charity dinner in London, addressing the couple's decision to step back as senior members of the royal family and become financially independent.
The bombshell speech acknowledged the Sussexes' battle with the "powerful force" of the media and the "many years of challenges" that influenced their decision, with Prince Harry saying the couple had "no other option" but to forge a path of their own.
Prince Harry's full speech
"Before I begin, I must say that I can only imagine what you may have heard or perhaps read over the past few weeks.
"So, I want you to hear the truth from me, as much as I can share - not as a Prince, or a Duke - but as Harry, the same person that many of you have watched grow up over the last 35 years, but with a clearer perspective.
"The UK is my home and a place that I love. That will never change.
"I have grown up feeling supported by so many of you and I watched as you welcomed Meghan with open arms. As you saw me find the love and happiness that I hoped for all my life. Finally the second son of Diana got hitched, hooray.
"I also know that you've come to know me well enough over all these years to trust that the woman that I chose as my wife upholds the same values as I do. And she does. And she's the same woman I fell in love with. We both do everything that we can to fly the flag and carry out our roles for this country with pride.
"Once Meghan and I were married, we were excited, we were hopeful and we were here to serve. For those reasons, it brings me great sadness that it has come to this. The decision that I have made for my wife and I to step back is not one that I made lightly. It was so many months of talks after so many years of challenges. And I know I haven't always gotten it right but as far as this goes, there really was no other option.
"What I want to make clear is: we aren't walking away and we are certainly not walking away from you. Our hope was to continue serving the Queen, the Commonwealth and my military associations but without public funding. Unfortunately, that wasn't possible.
"I've accepted this, knowing that it doesn't change who I am or how committed I am, but I hope that helps you understand what it had come to. That I would step my family back from all I have ever known, to take a step forward into what I hope could be a more peaceful life. I was born into this life and it was a great honor to serve my country and the Queen.
"When I lost my mum 23 years ago, you took me under your wing, you looked out for me for so long. But the media is a powerful force, and my hope is one day our collective support for each other can be more powerful because this is so much bigger than just us.
"It has been our privilege to serve you, and we will continue to lead a life of service. So in that respect, nothing changes. It has also been a privilege to meet so many of you, and to feel your excitement for our son Archie, who saw snow for the first time the other day and thought it was bloody brilliant.
"I will always have the utmost respect for my grandmother, my commander in chief, and I am incredibly grateful to her and the rest of my family for the support they have shown Meghan and I over the last few months.
"I will continue to be the same man who holds his country dear and dedicates his life to supporting the causes, charities and military communities that are so important to me.
"Together, you have given me an education about living. And this role has taught me more about what is right and just than I could have ever imagined.
"We are taking a leap of faith. Thank you for giving me the courage to take this next step."
