Kate Middleton, Prince William, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry speak out for the first time since charity split
THE CAMBRIDGES and the Sussexes have spoken out following the news that the CEO of The Royal Foundation has stepped down from her role.
Lorraine Heggessey, who had worked with both the couples over the past two years, took the decision to leave the role after Harry and Meghan announced they would be splitting from the charity last month.
And now the two royal couples have spoken out for the first time since the Sussexes announced that they wanted to work separately from Kate and William on their own foundation.
In a statement following Lorraine’s departure the Cambridges said: “Lorraine has played an integral role in our charitable initiatives over the last two and a half years. We are very grateful for her hard work and support, and wish her the very best for the future.
“We are pleased that Jason has been appointed as CEO and very much look forward to working with him in his new role.”
And Harry and Meghan have too released a statement in light of her departure.
They said: “It has been a great pleasure to work alongside Lorraine over the past couple of years, to champion the causes that we feel so strongly about, and we wish her well for the next stage of her career.”
Senior advisor to Kate and William, Jason Knauf is set to take on the role from October 1.
According to Hello! Lorraine also released a statement describing her time in the role as one of the “most amazing opportunities” in her career and an “honour.”
What is the royal foundation?
The Royal Foundation was established in September 2009 to help Prince William and Prince Harry support their charitable ambitions.
It was intended that the Foundation would be used as the main channel of supporting their charitable grants.
Kate then joined when she became Duchess of Cambridge in 2011 and Meghan Markle became a part of it when she married Prince Harry in May 2019.
The First Royal Foundation Forum was held in Feburary 2018 with William, Catherine, Harry and Meghan Markle in attendance.
The Foundation has collaborated with two organisations to date; Fields in Trust and ARK.
Her departure comes just a month after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced that they would officially be splitting from The Royal Foundation.
It will be divided between the Sussexes and Cambridges as the couples focus on their own separate charitable endeavours.
It comes as both couples continue to be plagued by rumours of a royal rift after Meghan and Harry moved away from Kate and Wills to Frogmore Cottage, Windsor.
Prince William and Prince Harry first established the Royal Foundation in 2009 before Kate joined two years later shortly after their engagement was announced.
The three would often appear as a trio at events, and the Foundation had huge successes with projects such as the Invictus Games for injured veterans and the mental health Heads Together campaign.
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Over the years, the charity has focused on wildlife conservation and mental health as well as supporting the armed forces and young people.
The Royal Foundation said the decision was made following the conclusion of a review into its structure – but added both couples will continue to work together in the future.
In other royal news, we told you how Meghan and Harry have been slammed by royal trolls for having “no respect” for Prince George in their birthday wishes.
And Meghan Markle and Prince Harry shouldn’t be “frightened” about Archie being photographed, according to a royal commentator.