"I’m rather on Harry’s side": How the world is reacting to #Megxit.

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On Jan 9, the world awoke to learn Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had effectively resigned from their jobs as working royals.

Since announcing their plans to “carve out a progressive new role” for themselves and become “financially independent” on their joint Instagram account, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have begun their transition away from their former roles as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family.

You can watch this amazing timeline of Meghan and Harry’s lives (and see their adorable baby photos!) in this Meghan & Harry: From Birth To Now video below. Post continues after video.

The unexpected news (or expected, some might say) has sent royal correspondents and media commentators into a frenzy, and divided public opinion. Some are happy for them. Some are outraged. And some are wondering how Prince Harry is going to fare out in the real world as a regular bloke.

So far, everyone from The Queen and Prince William, to Piers Morgan, Karl Stefanovic and now, even Hugh Grant has weighed in. Here’s your recap of how the world is reacting to the news of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle quitting their royal jobs.

Hugh Grant is on Harry’s side.

Hugh Grant is the latest, and most unexpected, figure to publicly support Harry and Meghan in the media.

Appearing on SiriusXM’s “Radio Andy” on Monday, Grant was asked for his opinion on the couple’s decision to transition out of the Royal Family.

“I’m rather on Harry’s side, I have to say,” the British actor told host Andy Cohen.

“The tabloid press effectively murdered his mother [Princess Diana], now they’re tearing his wife to pieces. I think, as a man, it’s [Harry’s] job to protect his family so I’m with him.”

Grant was referring to Princess Diana’s death in 1997 of a fatal car crash that occurred while being chased by paparazzi in Paris. You can watch Grant’s response in the video below.

The Queen on Harry and Meghan.

On Tuesday, The Queen said she’s “entirely supportive” of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wish for a more independent future following crisis talks involving the most senior members of the royal family.

The Queen was joined at Sandringham by Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry for a “very constructive” meeting, where they agreed there will now be a “period of transition” with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex living in Canada and the UK.

“My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family,” the 93-year-old monarch said in a six-sentence statement that mentioned the word “family” six times.

“Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.

“Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives.”

The Queen ended her statement with: “These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days.”

Previously, it was reported by royal correspondents from the BBC that no one in the Royal Family knew anything about Meghan and Harry’s decision to step down prior to the couple pressing ‘post’ on their social media announcement. Not even The Queen, who likely found out on Instagram just like the rest of us commoners.

The Royal Family’s first official statement on the matter read: “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.”

The BBC is reporting no other royal was consulted about Prince Harry and Meghan’s decision to step back as senior royals.

See the statement from the royal communications ???? pic.twitter.com/uuBZ3XqUvg

— News Breakfast (@BreakfastNews) January 8, 2020

In other words: Prince William tagged us in Harry and Meghan’s Instagram post. The Queen sent Harry a text but he’s left her on ‘read’.

Prince William and Prince Harry publicly deny claims of ‘bullying’.

One of the biggest stories to come out of Harry and Meghan’s announcement is how it must have been the culmination of the years-long royal rift brewing between Prince William and Prince Harry.

On Monday, in the Times of London, it was reported that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex felt “pushed away” by William’s ‘bullying’ attitude. The article suggested the brothers fell out because William wasn’t friendly towards Meghan and that the Sussexes were “constantly being bullied”.

But in a joint statement to CNN, the brothers wrote, “Despite clear denials, a false story ran in a UK newspaper today speculating about the relationship between the Duke of Sussex and the Duke of Cambridge.

“For brothers who care so deeply about the issues surrounding mental health, the use of inflammatory language in this way is offensive and potentially harmful,” the statement read.

The same publication reported William told a mate after the shock stepping down, “I’ve put my arm around my brother all our lives and I can’t do that anymore; we’re separate entities. I’m sad about that.

“All we can do, and all I can do, is try and support them and hope that the time comes when we’re all singing from the same page.”

Considering the brother’s condemnation of The Times, we can assume these comments were also likely false.

You can also hear all the facts about what this means for the royal family, as well as Harry and Meghan, in this episode of The Quicky podcast below, post continues after audio.

Karl Stefanovic’s Harry and Meghan Today Show ‘rant’.

Newly reinstated Today Show co-host Karl Stefanovic made his feelings on this news story known on-air on the morning of the announcement, calling Harry and Meghan’s decision to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family “a farce”.

“I’m pretty shocked. This is the young fella who we love so much, walking AWAY from the Royal Family, walking AWAY from The Queen, walking AWAY from his dad,” he said.

“He got his mansion renovated on the public purse and now he’s flicking off to Canada, this is a joke. They may as well be moving to New Zealand… what is going on?! This is just an absolute farce!”

So, yeah. He’s a bit miffed.

How Piers Morgan and Katie Hopkins feel about Harry and Meghan’s resignation.

Two of Britain’s most outspoken, conservative media personalities, Good Morning Britain co-host Piers Morgan and controversial columnist Katie Hopkins, are also not happy about Harry and Meghan stepping down. At all. And according to a series of tweets both posted on their Twitter accounts as the news unfolded, it’s all that wretched Meghan lady’s fault.

According to Hopkins, she “bloody warned us” this would happen and “the castration of Prince Harry is complete,” while Morgan’s Twitter ramblings include such sentiments as: ‘what Meghan wants, Meghan gets’, ‘absolute bollocks’ and ‘Jeez… Harry, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?’

You can scroll through their feels on it all below.

I bloody warned you.

It’s hard being right all the time. #megxit #HarryandMeghan pic.twitter.com/nhONDpeHYH

— Katie Hopkins (@KTHopkins) January 8, 2020

May 2018. #HarryandMeghan

We knew. pic.twitter.com/elfAUQ25oe

— Katie Hopkins (@KTHopkins) January 8, 2020

Meghan and Harry will prostitute their royal titles (now trademarked), keep their many perks (cottage + payments) but shirk ALL responsibility.

The contrivance is as vulgar as Markle herself #HarryandMeghan https://t.co/ldKyLlghLs

— Katie Hopkins (@KTHopkins) January 8, 2020

#MEGXIT #MeghanAndHarry

After Brexit … #Megxit.

Meghan stole Prince Harry. He is but a shadow of the ‘top lad with his nob out’ we used to know and love.

Evil wench pic.twitter.com/ca5oDO9l23

— Katie Hopkins (@KTHopkins) January 8, 2020

The castration of Prince Harry is complete.

Can we get a refund on the wedding & kitchen we paid for Meghan? #MeghanAndHarry pic.twitter.com/TPo9Lij5ul

— Katie Hopkins (@KTHopkins) January 8, 2020

‘What Meghan wants.. Meghan gets.’ pic.twitter.com/MBA5Xi8Fbf

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 8, 2020

Jeez… Harry, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING? https://t.co/5HWVUmWLb1

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 8, 2020

No, that’s what spiteful treachery against your own family looks like. https://t.co/QXEhmQsSgX

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 8, 2020

Absolute bollocks. https://t.co/tTihwxx1SM

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 8, 2020

Yep. And the shameless spoiled brats are going to get torched back. https://t.co/D4OZimlZCK

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 8, 2020

BREAKING: Harry & Meghan have just published their new rulebook for the media to obey.
Even Putin wouldn’t try to pull a stunt like this.
I fear they’ve both gone nuts. https://t.co/vHMtFZjIJh pic.twitter.com/cfoMvGpRl6

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 8, 2020

People say I’m too critical of Meghan Markle – but she ditched her family, ditched her Dad, ditched most of her old friends, split Harry from William & has now split him from the Royal Family.
I rest my case. pic.twitter.com/xgKLTt2Y0Z

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 8, 2020

I’m from Sussex and prepared to step up.

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 8, 2020

The best memes and Twitter reactions to Harry and Meghan quitting the royal family.

Now, for the fun part. The memes.

The internet is having a pretty great time reacting to Harry and Meghan’s new life chapter (and how the rest of the Royal family must be feeling right now). Here’s a pick of the best below.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Reductress (@reductress) on Jan 8, 2020 at 1:39pm PST

actual footage from inside buckingham palace tonight #Megxit pic.twitter.com/0UOBd9ajtt

— JOE (@jxebxck) January 8, 2020

Good luck to Harry on finding gainful employment, the job market is tough out there but hopefully he finds a boss willing to take a punt on a 35-year-old with a limited work history and no previous employers

— Josh Butler (@JoshButler) January 8, 2020

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Outspoken The Podcast (@outspoken_the_podcast) on Jan 8, 2020 at 3:29pm PST

“You want Brexit? I’ll give you a fucking Brexit.” — Meghan Thee Markle

— Saeed Jones (@theferocity) January 8, 2020

Harry and Meghan are resigning to spend less time with their family.

— Dan Primack (@danprimack) January 8, 2020

When Princess Diana & Meghan Markie meet in Heaven pic.twitter.com/2Y5yzgrBGN

— a princess diana stan account (@seabethree) January 8, 2020

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by @_boneless.memes on Jan 8, 2020 at 3:44pm PST

Harry & Meghan writing that IG post like pic.twitter.com/y8DHncjD8F

— Christina Grace (@C_GraceT) January 8, 2020

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Chris and I are formally stepping down from our royal duties. We appreciate your support.

A post shared by @ amyschumer on Jan 8, 2020 at 3:03pm PST

And we’ll never be rooooyals ????#MeghanMarkle #PrinceHarry pic.twitter.com/UUeKw05CPu

— Saint Hoax (@SaintHoax) January 8, 2020

i tried to meghan markle my dad and it did not work pic.twitter.com/penFZ9FhqV

— Scaachi (@Scaachi) January 8, 2020

meghan markle in 2027 when she wins an emmy for playing herself in the crown season 8 episode about today pic.twitter.com/3WbpqUOwDx

— matt (@RealMattGannon) January 8, 2020

Meghan finally got around to watching “Get Out” over the holidays. https://t.co/f82PQU2hVy

— Saeed Jones (@theferocity) January 8, 2020

i am also working to become financially independent

— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) January 8, 2020

Here’s the actual note Meghan left on the Queen’s desk. pic.twitter.com/m58NibXhQE

— Karyne Levy (@karynelevy) January 8, 2020

It’s an exciting time to not be the Royal family, isn’t it?

Read more: 

• Just all the clues that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were always going to ‘quit’ the royal family.
• Inside the theory the Royal Family didn’t know about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s decision to step down.
• Every single question we have after Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s announcement, answered.

Feat image: Getty.

What do you think about Harry and Meghan’s decision to step back from senior royal duties? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!