The queen reportedly asked Prince Harry not to release statement

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.
(Image credit: Daniel Leal-Olivas/AP)

The drama surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's effective exit from the royal family just keeps getting juicer.

Harry and Meghan announced in a stunning statement Wednesday they "intend to step back as 'senior' members of the royal family" and will "work to become financially independent" while they "balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America." That was already shocking, but it was followed by an even more stunning development: a Buckingham Palace response saying discussions with Harry and Meghan are actually "at an early stage" and that these are "complicated issues."

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Brendan Morrow

Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.