Queen ‘has already decided’ who will take Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s patronages

The Queen has reportedly decided which members of the Royal Family will take over patronages from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle following their departure.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not return to The Firm as working royals, it was announced last week.

It’s thought Her Majesty will announce her choice of replacements to the Palace in the coming weeks, the Mirror reports.

It is understood the monarch decided “long ago” who would be suited for the roles, which will be left vacant after Harry and Meghan are stripped of their military titles and patronages.

Princess Anne, 70, has been tipped to take over from Harry, 36, as Captain General of the Royal Marines.

Prince Edward, 56, or his wife Sophie, 56, could replace Meghan, 39, as National Theatre patron.

The National Theatre last week thanked Meghan for “championing” its work with communities and young people, and the Mirror understands the board was “deeply split” over whether to ask her to carry on in an unofficial role.

Prince Harry has been Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Honington, near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, since 2008, a patronage likely to go to Prince William.

Harry’s role as Commodore-in-Chief Small Ships and Diving must also be filled.

Sophie Wessex may also take over from Meghan as Patron of The Association of Commonwealth Universities.

Harry also lost his patronages of England Rugby Union and the Rugby Football League.

League chiefs reportedly hope William, 38, will take over as the face of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.

Harry and Meghan’s roles as president and vice-president of The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust are also vacant.

A royal source told the Mirror: “When the writing was on the wall and it was clear the Duke and Duchess had no intention of coming back into the fold and being part of the team, the Queen made her mind up long ago over her preferred candidates for the roles they vacated.”

Buckingham Palace has not commented on the reports.

Last week’s announcement that Harry and Meghan’s split from The Firm will be permanent comes a year after the couple decided to step away and move to California.

A 12-month review of the arrangement was agreed upon, with the decision now made following conversations between Harry and members of the Royal Family.