Prince Harry and Meghan Markle officially split from joint charity with Prince William and Kate Middleton

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to split from the joint foundation they shared with Prince William and Kate Middleton.

The official announcement comes after weeks of rumours that the couple would break away from the Royal Foundation in order to set up their own.

A statement read released by the charity – which will now be renamed Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge - read: ‘The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are incredibly proud of what they have achieved together through the Royal Foundation.

‘Later this year the Royal Foundation will become the principal charitable and philanthropic vehicle for The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.’

The announcement goes on to explain that Meghan and Harry will create their own foundation in order to pursue charitable causes that are better aligned with their new household.

'The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will establish their own new charitable foundation with transitional operating support from The Royal Foundation’, the statement continued.

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'These changes are designed to best complement the work and responsibilities of Their Royal Highnesses as they prepare for their future roles, and to better align their charitable activity with their new households.’

The Royal Foundation was set up in 2009 by Prince William and Prince Harry, focusing on causes close to their hearts like armed forces, conservation and mental health.

Kate joined after she married Prince William, in 2011, and Meghan joined just before she tied the knot with Prince Harry last year – when the foundation was renamed The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

The Fab Four appeared together on stage for the charity's first forum in London in February 2018, and were asked if they had disagreements when working together.

William said ‘oh yes’, as Harry added: ‘Healthy disagreements.’

He continued: ‘I think it's really good we've got four different personalities, we've all got that same passion to want to make a difference, but different opinions.

‘And I think those opinions work really, really well. Working as family does have its challenges, of course it does... the fact everyone is laughing means you know exactly (what I mean) - but we're stuck together for the rest of our lives.’