When the news was announced that Prince Harry and Prince William would go their separate ways from the Royal Foundation, royal fans were shocked.
After a decade of brotherly bonding over charitable causes close to their hearts through the Foundation’s work, it came as a surprise that their partnership was coming to an end.
But it seems the move makes sense from a practical perspective, especially after it was revealed that plans for Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s own charity work together are already underway.
On Thursday evening, Kensington Palace released a statement saying: “Later this year The Royal Foundation will become the principal charitable and philanthropic vehicle for The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.”
The statement added: “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will establish their own new charitable foundation.”
The formal update from the palace suggested the move has come following a shift in the priorities of Harry and William, which have understandably changed somewhat since the foundation started back in 2009, when both were unmarried and in their twenties.
Now, Harry and Meghan have just welcomed their first child together and are settling into life as a family of three.
For William and Kate, the pair are raising their own three children, as well as preparing for the rather hefty task of becoming King and Queen Consort of England.
“These changes are designed to best complement the work and responsibilities of Their Royal Highnesses as they prepare for their future roles, and to better align their charitable activity with their new households,” the official statement explained.
The fab four have officially parted ways from their work within the Royal Foundation.
(Image: Getty Images)Now, according to respected royal correspondent Omid Scobie, Meghan and Harry have already started making plans for their own charity.
“[The move away from the Royal Foundation] allows the Sussexes to do things exactly how they want” a palace source told Omid, who shared the news on BAZAAR.com.
“Their operating style is very different to the Cambridges and so having their own space to think as big as they like, working on a global scale, is perfect for them.”
Scobie revealed that Meghan and Prince Harry are going to be working with their own team to outline plans for what their new charitable organisation will look like.
And that’s no small feat for the royals, especially Meghan who is technically still on maternity leave after giving birth to new son Archie in early May.
Go team Sussex! Harry and Meghan have the wheels in motion for their new charitable foundation.
(Image: Dominic Lipinski / PA / Getty)The source explained that Harry and Meghan’s plans for a new charity will give them a chance to “stamp their own personality on their charitable work”.
“Not only will their new foundation stand the test of time, but it will allow them to do some very ambitious things.”
The source concluded that the project will stand as their “defining work” – “and it’s entirely theirs”.
Calling it the “Project Sussex Foundation”, another source revealed to Scobie that Meghan and Harry aim to have something up and running before the year is out.
The Sussexes have a busy agenda ahead!
(Dominic Lipinski / PA / Getty)So what will Harry and Meghan’s charity involve?
According to Omid’s source, Harry and Meghan’s charities they’ve recently been involved with will likely move over to their new foundation.
This is touted to include Meghan’s Hubb Community Kitchen project, (which included her cookbook Together) as well as Harry’s involvement with the Endeavour Fund.
There is also potential for Harry’s passion project (and now a global event) the Invictus Games Foundation to be part of it, as well as his upcoming mental health documentary series with Oprah Winfrey which will air on AppleTV in 2020.
“There are multiple scenarios being discussed,” the source said, before adding that new jobs within the charity are likely to be created.
WATCH: Meghan Markle launches new cookbook. Story continues after video…
What will William and Kate’s charity involve?
Plans for William and Kate’s newly reformed Royal Foundation include building upon its past successes, according to sources.
The Heads Up foundation, which involved a mental health campaign delivered by Prince William, will likely continue to operate under the Royal Foundation’s umbrella, while Mentally Healthy Schools is also touted to remain firmly in place under William and Kate.
As for new work, the source revealed William is currently developing new initiatives for the environment while Kate is continuing her work to support children and families.
More announcements from the pair about their charitable work are expected to come within the coming year.
Kate and Wills are also busy at work developing their own charitable initiatives.
(Image: Getty Images)
