On Wednesday evening, London time, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their decision to “step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family”. But as the news spread, theories have emerged that the rest of the Royal Family were left completely blindsided by the announcement.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s statement says they’ve decided to become financially independent and split their time between the UK and North America.
“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 statement read.
“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.
“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.”
But despite the lengthy and formal statement, the BBC is reporting that no other member of the Royal Family knew about Meghan and Harry’s decision to step down before the public knew.
The Palace is reported to be hurt and disappointed.
Here is how the world is reacting to the the news, with Twitter alight with commentators.
Here in Australia “Megan,” “Diana” and “Royal Family” are all trending.
Feature image: AAP.
Top Comments
Go please go you are so useless to real society
I'm no expert but isn't this a good thing. Aren't royals funded in part by tax payers money? I thought I read this means they miss out on at least $10 million dollars per year. If so I respect their decisio.
It is a good thing if the public isn't expected to pay for them, and if their attempt to "live independently" is not contingent on their montetising their royal status. However, their stated intention appears to be to retain their titles and royal status, whilst pursuing also personal fortune and fame.
Attempts from other royals to earn a living while keeping a title hasn't worked. Andrew and Edward both tried it, Fergie has tried to cash in for years.
One assumes their plan is speaking tours, book deals and a return to acting, all of which hinge on the royal brand association. It's not like Harry can return to the military.
Meghan already has personal fortune and fame, and Harry inherited the money Diana earned through hers. And what would ‘monetising their royal status’ be? Unless they’re charging people’s fee to ‘have a photo with the royals’ that’s an absurd concept.
Meghan only needs to do another season of suits or a few movies and they can be more than set for life.
They have set up the Sussex Foundation, ostensibly to raise money for charity and has been registered along the same lines as the Clinton Foundation. Monetising their royal status would be accepting money to appear on US television stations, selling photos and stories to magazines, trademarking items, being paid for public appearances. As non royals, neither individual has any particular talent which would command large fees, but trading in on Harry's royal status can apparently earn them big bucks. Meghan was comfortably off financially, but hardly had a personal fortune and her fame only really came about when she hooked up with Harry.