UPDATE: The Queen Breaks Silence on Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Decision to Step Back
Five days after the shocking announcement was made.
UPDATE (January 13, 2020): Following Meghan Markle and Prince Harry‘s announcement that they are stepping back as senior members of the Royal Family, Buckingham Palace has released an official statement on the shocking news. The Queen herself met with fellow royals including Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry to discuss details surrounding the unprecedented decision and came to several conclusions:
“My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.”
Queen Elizabeth II also gave her blessing for the couple to split their time between North America and the United Kingdom. “Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives. It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK,” her statement reads.
ORIGINAL STORY (January 8, 2020): Earlier today, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex took to Instagram to announce that they will be stepping back as “senior members of the Royal Family.” Meghan Markle and Prince Harry decided to make this change in order “to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.”
The announcement was released via the Sussex Royal’s official account where Meghan Markle and Prince Harry explained that they intend to balance their time between North America and the UK. This change will enable them to raise their son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, “with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity.”
According to People, Meghan and Harry will no longer be based full-time in the UK. The post concludes, “We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties. Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support.”
Read the full message below and let us know what you think of this transition. In case you missed, check out the photos of their son’s christening here.
