In a shocking decision, the royal couple, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (the Duke and Duchess of Sussex) announced that they will be relieving themselves of their senior royal duties. In addition, the couple and their son will be moving to Canada.
“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 Duke and Duchess of Sussex 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,” they continued. “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.”
To translate all this, when it comes to the two excusing themselves of their “senior royal duties,” means that they’ll no longer be the in the line of carrying out the duties of the monarchy in the Queen’s absence. In addition, Prince Harry and Meghan will also be no longer full-time in the United Kingdom.
Canada is part of the commonwealth, a group of nations with close ties to the U.K. Additionally, the couple has spent some time in Canada as of late. The 35-ear-old prince and his wife spent their first holiday season as a family of three with their young son Archie on Vancouver Island. That according to the place was the family “spending private family time in Canada” ahead of Christmas.
Also, Markle, 38 called Toronto her home for a brief period. She filmed her hit USA legal drama Suits, and was living there when she and Harry first began dating.
The Buckinham palace has since issued out a statement regarding the sudden decision by the royal couple.
“Discussions with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage,” they stated. “We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through.”
