The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have announced plans to step back as “senior” members of the Royal Family and strive to become financially independent.
Prince Harry and Meghan also say they plan to split their time between the UK and North America.
In an unexpected statement on their Instagram page, the couple said they made the decision “after many months of reflection and internal discussions”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
They added: “We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.”
According to reports, no other royals - including the Queen or Prince William - were consulted before the statement. Buckingham Palace said it was “disappointed” by the news, and senior royals are reported to be “hurt”.
The Sun says there is “civil war” in the monarchy, while the Daily Mail claims in a “royal bombshell special issue” that the Queen is “furious”.
The couple have had a “turbulent year”, during which they have been “criticised for decisions including flying by private jet while urging people to act on climate change”, reports The Times.
The Duke and Duchess have “long had a fraught relationship with sections of the British media”, adds CNN.
The couple announced last October that Meghan was suing The Mail on Sunday, after the newspaper published a handwritten letter she had sent to her estranged father. The news came as Harry made an impassioned attack on the tabloid press.
However, the BBC points to rifts closer to home. Royal correspondent Jonny Dymond said: “This is clearly a major rift between Harry and Meghan on one part, and the rest of the Royal Family on the other.”
Former Buckingham Palace press officer Dickie Arbiter compared the move to Edward VIII’s abdication in 1936 in order to marry twice-divorced Wallis Simpson.
“That is the only other precedent, but there’s been nothing like this in modern times,” Arbiter said.
Royal author Penny Junor told Sky News she “can’t quite see how it’s going to work”, adding: “I don’t think it’s been properly thought through.”
Piers Morgan, a long-standing critic of the Duchess, tweeted: “People say I’m too critical of Meghan Markle - but she ditched her family, ditched her Dad, ditched most of her old friends, split Harry from William & has now split him from the Royal Family. I rest my case.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
-
'The United States needs to up its game'Instant opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
'Accepting defeat is Rishi Sunak's only hope of victory'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Royal family website attacked by Russian hackers
Speed Read Pro-Kremlin group claim responsibility just two weeks after King Charles condemns invasion of Ukraine
-
What does the royal family actually do?
feature From official state duties to charitable pursuits, most of the royals keep themselves busy
-
Meghan and Harry: the end of their $20m Spotify deal
Talking Point The axing of Archetypes isn’t just about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex
-
Prince Harry trial: five other famous royals who have appeared in court
feature Duke of Sussex becomes first senior British royal in 132 years to give evidence in court
-
Prince Harry and Meghan: ‘near catastrophic car chase’ in the spotlight
Talking Point Brush with US paparazzi has echoes of Princess Diana but some have questioned the timing
-
King’s coronation: does Prince Harry’s return signal end of royal rift?
Today's Big Question Duke of Sussex will not be accompanied by Meghan Markle when he attends coronation of King Charles III
-
The Tig: a look back at Meghan Markle’s lifestyle blog
In Depth Renewal of site’s trademark has sparked speculation of an imminent relaunch
-
King Charles hands ‘Duke of Edinburgh’ title to Prince Edward
Speed Read Report claims there has been ‘much to-ing and fro-ing’ over the move
-
Spokesman: Harry and Meghan asked to 'vacate' Frogmore Cottage
Speed Read
