In an unprecedented moment in British royal history, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will no longer be able to use their royal titles after stepping back from their duties. Even Edward VIII, who abdicated the throne in 1936 to marry an American divorcee, remained his Royal Highness the Duke of Windsor when he was no longer King. 

Despite losing the right to style himself HRH, Prince Harry will remain a Prince and the Duke of Sussex, as well as the sixth in line to the  throne. But he will have to step down from official military appointments and give up the titles and patronages he was awarded by the Queen after he served two tours in Afghanistan.

In a speech that was posted on the couple's Instagram account on January 19, Prince Harry said: "Our hope was to keep serving the Queen, the Commonwealth, and my military association, but without public funding."

He added: "Unfortunately, that was not possible. I have accepted this knowing that it does not 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."

The Duke and Duchess have yet to reveal how they will become financially independent as they will soon no longer be able to access money from the "Sovereign Grant" to pay for travel or household expenses. The couple used $3.1 million from this fund to renovate Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, which they will now pay back. 

However, this grant currently accounts for only five percent of their income. The other 95 percent comes from the Duchy of Cornwall, which belongs to Prince Charles, Prince Harry's father. 

There has also been some speculation that the couple will earn money from the entertainment industry. Prince Harry had previously announced he will partner with U.S. star Oprah Winfrey to produce a documentary film about mental health.

Released footage of the Lion King premier in London revealed Prince Harry telling Jon Favreau, the Hollywood movie director, that Meghan is available for voice-over work. They have also trademarked SUSSEXROYAL, which they intend to use as their brand name. 

 There has also been no announcement about who will pay the couple's security costs, which have historically been organized by the British police. 

The couple's decision to step back as senior members of the royal family was partially a result of tension between them and the British tabloids. They are currently suing the Mail on Sunday for publishing a letter Meghan wrote to her father after her wedding.

In a statement of support for his wife, Prince Harry said: "I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces," alluding to the British press.

The couple have also accused the British press of racism. When they first announced their relationship, the Daily Mail published an article entitled, "Harry's girl is (almost) straight outta Compton," even though she was from central Los Angeles and was privately educated. 

In response to coverage like this, Prince Harry issued a statement condemning "the racial undertones of comment pieces."

Prince Harry alluded to this battle in his speech published on Instagram. "The media is a powerful force and my hope is one day our collective support of each other can be more powerful," he said.