Image Credit: Getty Images

By Meaghan Wray / Global News

Royals

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle to ‘step back’ from senior royal duties

Jan 8, 2020 | 11:33 AM

LONDON — Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have announced they’re stepping back from senior royal duties to “work to become financially independent,” the pair announced on Instagram.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex took to Instagram to share the news, writing: “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. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment,” they 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.”

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“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.”

They signed it “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex,” linking out to their new personal website, sussexroyal.com (at the time of publication, the site was down.)

The announcement follows a Prince Harry and Markle’s visit to Canada House on Jan. 7. They were there to thank High Commissioner Janice Charette and staff for their hospitality during their recent stay in Canada.

A spokesperson for the Sussexes confirmed they spent “private family time” in Canada, and the duke and duchess were spotted in Victoria and on Vancouver Island, the Vancouver Sun reported.

In a video shared to their Instagram account celebrating the best parts of their year, they included a snapshot from their trip to Canada.

The photo was particularly exciting for royal watchers, given it marked the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s first Christmas with baby Archie as well as their first away from the rest of the Royal Family.

Royal reporter Omid Scobie took to Twitter to share the inside scoop on how the couple will be dealing with the media this year, “to ensure diverse and open access to their work.”

Some of the points include engaging with grassroots media, creating specialist speaking events, sharing information directly to the wider public and more.