The news comes after the pair enjoyed a two-month break in Canada over the holidays.
After much speculation, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have announced that they are stepping back from their roles as senior royals, and that they will split their time between the UK and North America.
In a lengthy Instagram post on Sussex Royal, the pair wrote that they will step down from their ‘senior’ roles in the royal family. “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. 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.”
Additionally, the pair added that they will now be based between the UK and North America, driven by a desire to raise their son away from the glare of the public spotlight. “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.”
At this stage it is not yet known what that entity is or what it will look like. The pair finished the note by thanking the public for their support, stating that they will reveal more details soon after continued discussions with the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William. “Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support,” they said.
The pair returned to the spotlight this week after their extended break in Canada by visiting London’s Canada House to thank Janice Charette, the High Commissioner in Canada to the UK, for the “warmth and support” they received in the country. Whilst the statement does not confirm their intended destination in North America, it is widely expected that Canada will be their base given Meghan’s prior ties to the country, and its closer proximity to her mother, Doria Ragland, in Los Angeles.
The news comes after a particularly turbulent year for the pair, during which they – Meghan, more frequently – were attacked by the press. Both expressed their frustrations with the treatment they had been subject to in the documentary covering their trip to Africa late last year. Harry likened the treatment of Meghan to that of his late mother, Princess Diana, and stated his desire to protect his family from experiencing anything like that again.
See the post in full below:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7EaGS_Jpb9/?igshid=1fvwgt4po7utg