DIVORCE: STATUS AND ROLE OF THE PRINCESS OF WALES

The following announcement has been issued by the press secretary to the Queen:

STATUS AND ROLE OF THE PRINCESS OF WALES

The Princess of Wales, as the mother of Prince William, will be regarded by The Queen and The Prince of Wales as being a member of the Royal Family.

It has been agreed that her style and title will be Diana, 
Princess of Wales.  She may retain any orders, insignia and other 
titles, consistent with her being known as Diana, Princess of Wales.

As she will be regarded as a member of the Royal Family, The 
Princess will from time to time receive invitations to State and 
national public occasions, as for any other member of the Royal 
Family, at the invitation of The Sovereign or the Government.  On 
these occasions The Princess will be accorded the precedence she 
enjoys at present.

Being regarded as a member of the Royal Family, The Princess 
will continue to live at Kensington Palace with The Queen's 
agreement.  Kensington Palace will in this way continue to provide a 
central and secure home for The Princess and the children.

The Princess's public role will essentially be for her to 
decide.  However, as for any other member of the Royal Family, any 
representational duty, whether Royal or national, at home or abroad, 
will only be undertaken at the request of The Sovereign, acting where 
necessary on the advice of Ministers.  As for any other member of the 
Royal Family, any visits by The Princess overseas (other than private 
holidays) will be undertaken in consultation with the Foreign and 
Commonwealth Office and with the permission of The Sovereign.

The Princess has asked The Queen if she may relinquish all her service appointments and The Queen has agreed.

The Princess will continue to have access to 32 (The Royal) Squadron and to the State Apartments at St. James's Palace for entertaining on the same basis as all other members of the Royal Family, namely with the permission of The Sovereign.

The Princess will maintain a private office in Kensington Palace, the size of which will depend on the nature and extent of the public role she undertakes.

As for any other member of the Royal Family, any activity of The Princess which involves the use of public funds will be undertaken only with the permission of The Sovereign acting where necessary on the advice of Ministers.

SOURCE Buckingham Palace