Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, shocked the royal world this week when they announced plans to step back as senior members of the royal family. The announcement came a little less than two years after their wedding.
According to The Sun, the statement was put out quickly. “The statement was rushed out, and part of the reason for that is that Harry knew he needed to take swift action,” an official told the paper. The same official said, “Meghan has not settled in the UK, and he knows that and wants her to be happy.” Neither Harry nor Meghan has publicly commented on those claims, and the account comes from an unnamed source.
The couple said they plan to split their time between the United Kingdom and North America. Reports indicate that Canada is the likely base in North America. In their statement, they said they want to pursue their private interests and work toward financial independence.
Buckingham Palace responded to the announcement by saying that discussions with the couple were at an early stage and that the issues were complicated and would take time to work through. The Sunday Times reported that Prince William was saddened by the decision, and other reports described the royal family as disappointed.
Social media reacted strongly. Many people praised the move as a bold break from tradition, while others were critical of how it was handled. It will likely take some time before any final arrangements are worked out.
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