In a surprising development, Prince Harry of England and his wife Meghan declared their decision to distance themselves from the British royal family, relinquishing their roles as high-ranking members of the institution.
The couple, in a statement, outlined their intention to "carve out a new and progressive role within the institution." Additionally, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stated their plan to divide their time between the United Kingdom and North America while aspiring to achieve "financial independence."
The announcement followed "months of reflection and internal debate," according to the couple's statement, shared on their Instagram page. They emphasized their desire to step back as senior members of the Royal Family and become financially independent, expressing gratitude for Queen Elizabeth II's support in recent years.
Royal Surprise
The BBC reported that no other royal family members, including the Queen and Prince William, were consulted before the statement, leaving Buckingham Palace "disappointed" and "hurt" by the unexpected news.
BBC's Royal Affairs correspondent, Jonny Dymond, noted, "I think the feeling of disappointment in the palace is really strong, perhaps not so much because of what has been done but because of how it has been done and the lack of consultation. This is clearly a huge rift, with Harry and Meghan on one side and the rest of the Royal Family on the other."
A spokeswoman for Buckingham Palace stated that discussions with the dukes about their decision are "at an early stage," acknowledging the complexity of the matters involved.
Between Two Continents
Detailing their plans to split time between Europe and America, the couple explained, "This geographic balance will allow us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while giving us as a family the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our charitable organization."
During the Christmas break, Prince Harry and Meghan took a hiatus from royal duties to spend time in Canada with their son, Archie, born on May 6 the previous year. As Harry is sixth in line to the throne, the impact of their decision on the royal hierarchy remains uncertain.
"We look forward to sharing all the details of this exciting step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge, and all parties involved," their statement concluded. "Until then, please accept our deep gratitude for your continued support."
The Role of the Media
Last October, the couple publicly shared their struggles with media attention. In a documentary broadcast by ITV, Meghan revealed the challenges of motherhood amid intense press interest. Meghan also took legal action against a newspaper for publishing one of her private letters, accusing The Mail on Sunday and its parent company of disseminating "untrue" stories.
Prince Harry responded to reports of a supposed dispute with his brother, stating they are on "different paths."
"Nothing Like It in Modern Times"
Responding to the announcement, former Buckingham Palace press spokesperson Dickie Arbiter suggested that Harry's decision reflects the dominance of his heart over his mind. He compared this step to the 1936 abdication of Edward VIII to marry Wallace Simpson, noting that there has been "nothing like it in modern times."
Arbiter questioned how being a "part-time" member of the royal family would work and raised concerns about the environmental impact of frequent flights. He also questioned the feasibility of the dukes' plan to be financially independent, considering the challenges of settling on two continents, raising a family, and continuing their responsibilities.
