Meghan Markle and Harry quit as senior royals and vow to 'become financially independent'

  • The pair are stepping back after "months of reflection and internal discussions"
  • Couple want to "carve out" new role but "fully support" the Queen
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have announced they are stepping back as senior members of the Royal Family as they seek to "carve out" a new role.

Harry, Meghan and their son Archie will split their time between the UK and North America and work to become "financially independent" in a bid to "provide our family with the space to focus on the next chapter".

The bombshell announcement, which comes after "months of reflection and internal discussions", followed weeks of speculation about the couple's future after they took an extended break from royal duties over the festive period.

Last year, they made an emotional appearance in a documentary in which they discussed the pressures they faced in the public eye. Harry also issued a damning statement against the media accusing sections of the press of bullying his wife.

The development took an even more dramatic turn when Buckingham Palace warned Harry and Meghan that their decision would be "complicated". It is understood that the Queen and the Prince of Wales were not aware of the content of Harry and Meghan's personal statement before it was issued.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at Canada House in London

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In a statement released on Wednesday evening, they said: “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.

“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."

In the message, which they posted on Instagram, they added: “It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Baby Announcement - In pictures

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“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."

Following the announcement, a Palace spokeswoman said: "Discussions with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage.

"We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through."

Harry and Meghan have only recently returned from their six-week break spent in the Canadian province of British Columbia with their eight-month-old son Archie.

Harry said they had received an “unbelievable” welcome while in the Commonwealth country for around six weeks.​

Harry and Meghan will split their time before North America and the UK
Getty Images

It is likely they will be spending their time in the Commonwealth country when not in UK and may travel to America, Meghan's homeland and where her mother lives.

Any move to Canada, even for a period of the year, would throw up important questions about Meghan and Harry's long-term future within the royal family.

Meghan, a former actress, lived and worked in Toronto during her time starring in the popular US drama Suits, and the couple were famously pictured together when Meghan joined her then-boyfriend Harry at the 2017 Invictus Games in the city.

The cost of security for the couple would also be an issue, and as Canada is a realm, a country where the Queen is head of state, it may have to pay for keeping the couple and their son Archie safe.

The couple's aim to be "financially independent" may point towards them seeking a job, or a paid role with an organisation whose aims compliment their own beliefs.

Other members of the monarchy who have salaried jobs include the Queen's grandchildren Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie and Peter Phillips, who all work for a living.​

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