News feed
Seven minutes ago, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle shockingly announced they will be “stepping back as senior members of the Royal Family” as they plan to split their time between the UK and North America, become financially independent, start a new charity and give their son a more normal childhood.
And honestly, it’s hard for me to type this because I’m still in shock. My first thought was: How did the couple begin this conversation with The Queen?
“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution,” the couple wrote on Instagram. “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. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment.
“We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages. This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son 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. 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.”
The decision means Harry – who is sixth in line to the throne – will no longer be based solely in London, the place where the British Royal Family have reigned for hundreds of years. The move comes though as the couple are involved in several law suits with the British press and we’re speculating this move could have been spurred on by such events. Markle opened up about such tabloid pressure in an interview with ITV journalist Tom Bradby last year.
“Any woman, especially when they’re pregnant, you’re really vulnerable, and so that was made really challenging,” she said. “And then when you have a newborn, you know. And especially as a woman, it’s a lot. So you add this on top of just trying to be a new mom or trying to be a newlywed. Thank you for asking because not many people have asked if I’m okay.”
When Bradby asked if it “would be fair” to say that she’s “not really okay” Markle responded, “Yes.”
Soon-after, the couple and their young son Archie, fled to a Vancouver Island mansion – weirdly arranged by music producer (and ex-husband of Yolanda Hadid) David Foster. “I felt honoured that I was able to help Meghan there, because I’m a Canadian and we’re a commonwealth country, we’re the Crown’s. It’s important to us, so I grew up with that kind of sentiment,” Foster told the Daily Mail. “I was really happy to be able to help them to find a respite just to take a little time off.”
“Well done, he gets his bravery from his mother,” one online spectator wrote on the couple’s Instagram @sussexroyal.
“You are the best thing to happen to that outdated institution and the world is lucky to have you. We support and love your decision”, wrote another.
More to come.
