Meghan Markle And Prince Harry Announce Plans To “Step Back As Senior Members Of The Royal Family,” Queen Elizabeth Says This Is A “Complicated Issue”

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry made a historic decision to step back as senior members of the Royal Family.

On Wednesday, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex took to Instagram to share their new “transition” as a couple. “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 two wrote one 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.”

The statement continued, “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.”

While this may be shocking to some, the move would only make sense with how the couple has been treated in British media since it was announced that the two were an item. From racially offensive comments about Markle and their baby, Archie, to shaming their American-U.K. relationship, the British media has consistently been unkind to the couple. The two have even experienced personal issues within the Royal Family, which might have led to Sussex’s decision to not spend the Christmas holiday with the royal family at Sandringham. The couple also has several lawsuits against a few British media outlets over copyright infringement, invasion of privacy, and phone hacking.

As for Queen Elizabeth, she sent out a statement saying the families will have to discuss the sudden change. “Discussions with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage,” the statement said carefully. “We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through.”