Smiling Queen attends church with Andrew hours after sealing deal over Harry and Meghan Markle's future

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Robert Jobson19 January 2020

It was business as usual for the Queen today as she was joined by the Duke of York at church in Norfolk, hours after reaching a deal with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Her Majesty appeared in good spirits and smiled broadly as she arrived at the St Mary the Virgin church for Sunday service.

She was accompanied by Prince Andrew, who has rarely been seen in public since stepping down from royal duties in November following his BBC Newsnight interview over his links to Jeffrey Epstein.

Her second son stayed close to his mother's side ahead of the service, in an apparent show of solidarity following a tumultuous few weeks for the royal family.

The Queen with Prince Andrew in Sandringham
PA

The Queen issued an emotional statement after talks on the matter concluded, saying she recognised the "challenges" they had faced over the past year.

She added: "It is my whole family's hope that today's agreement allows them to start building a happy and peaceful new life.

"I want to thank them for all their dedicated work across this country, the Commonwealth and beyond, and am particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of the family."

Karen Astoe, 55, from Dudley in the West Midlands, came to see the Queen attend church. She said the monarch appeared in high spirits despite Harry and Meghan’s decision.

The Queen released an emotional statement on Saturday after talks over Harry and Meghan's future
PA

“She’ll just take it in her stride won’t she, she’ll be fine,” said Ms Astoe. “She looked very happy.”

Royal fan Rosie Viles, from nearby Hunstanton, came to the church with her six-year-old granddaughter Imogen Viles.

She said the issue of Megxit, as it has been dubbed by the media, would have been “stressful” for the Queen, “but she sorts it all out, always does”.

“It’s not a surprise what has happened,” said Mrs Viles. “It’s sad but it’s his decision. I think that now they’ve agreed to pay back Frogmore I think a lot of people will appreciate that.”

The announcement marked the conclusion of talks about their future with senior members of the family and royal aides after Harry and Meghan announced they were stepping back as "senior" royals.

Harry and Meghan had wanted to remain as working royals, although not prominent members, and become financially independent - a dual role many commentators said was fraught with problems.

But in a statement issued after royal family talks concluded, the Sussexes announced they will stop carrying out royal duties from the spring, no longer use HRH and will repay the taxpayers' millions spent on their Berkshire home, Frogmore Cottage.

Harry and Meghan said in their statement, issued on their behalf by Buckingham Palace, that under the agreement they understood they were "required" to step back from royal duties.

The couple pictured on their wedding day
AP

The deal is a hard "Megixt" for the couple - as the issue has been dubbed by the media - and a source said "you can't be half in and half out".

The statement said: "As agreed in this new arrangement, they understand that they are required to step back from royal duties, including official military appointments.

"They will no longer receive public funds for royal duties.

"With the Queen's blessing, the Sussexes will continue to maintain their private patronages and associations.

The statement was released on Saturday
PA

"While they can no longer formally represent the Queen, the Sussexes have made clear that everything they do will continue to uphold the values of Her Majesty."

The Queen's statement included a personal tribute to the Sussexes with the monarch unusually using the first names of her grandson and his family in a public message.

She said: "Following many months of conversations and more recent discussions, I am pleased that together we have found a constructive and supportive way forward for my grandson and his family.

"Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex: Prince Harry & Meghan Markle PDAs

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"I recognise the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life.

"I want to thank them for all their dedicated work across this country, the Commonwealth and beyond, and am particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of the family."

Meghan and Harry have already begun a transition phase of living in Canada and the UK. The duchess is in the Commonwealth country with son Archie where the Sussexes spent six weeks over the festive period.

The move was agreed by the Queen, Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge following the Sussexes unprecedented statement released earlier this month saying they wanted to step back as senior royals, become financially independent and live in the UK and North America.

It is understood the couple will now spend the majority of their time in Canada, with Harry expected to join his wife sometime this week.

The Sussexes keep the style of HRH - His or Her Royal Highness - but the statement issued on their behalf said it will no longer be used from the spring, "as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family".

Harry's mother Diana, Princess of Wales was stripped of her HRH in 1996 following her divorce from Charles.

The duke will continue to work with his charities and organisations like Sentebale - his Africa-based charity supporting youngsters with HIV - and the duchess will remain with her good causes.

Prince Andrew: The Duke of York - In pictures

King Charles III coronation
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But Harry will give up a Commonwealth role and his three military appointments the most prominent being Captain General Royal Marines.

All the new arrangements are due to come into effect in the spring, and will be reviewed by Buckingham Palace in 12 months.

The Duke of York stepped down from royal duties in November following his disastrous Newsnight interview over his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

However, Andrew has so-far kept his HRH title.

He faces changes to his security in the wake of Harry and Meghan’s decision to leave the monarchy and split their time between the UK and Canada.

As reported by the Evening Standard , the Home Office is recommending a major downgrade of security for the Queen’s second son after a Scotland Yard review.

Harry and Meghan, like Andrew, have personal protection officers from the Metropolitan Police, paid for by taxpayers.

But the change in roles for the Sussexes, relocation and removal of public funds, meant their security and its funding formed part of the crisis talks.

After the allegations first surfaced in August, Andrew’s TV interview sealed his fate when he was accused of lacking empathy for Epstein’s victims and of failing to show regret over his friendship with the disgraced financier.

Virginia Giuffre, who claims she was trafficked by Epstein, gave an interview to BBC Panorama and said she was left “horrified and ashamed” after an alleged sexual encounter with Andrew in London in 2001.

Since the interview, the duke has resigned a large number of his major patronages.

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