Queen Elizabeth Releases Official Statement With Regards To Meghan And Harry

The statement comes following the highly-anticipated talks that took place between Harry and the senior members of the royal family at Sandringham Estate yesterday afternoon

In a new statement published on the royal family’s official website last night, Queen Elizabeth has confirmed that “a period of transition” has been agreed in which Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will start dividing their time between Canada and the UK.

The statement comes just five days after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their decision to “step back” as senior members of the royal family. 

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“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. 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.” – The Duke and Duchess of Sussex For more information, please visit sussexroyal.com (link in bio) Image © PA

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Jan 8, 2020 at 10:33am PST

The Queen noted that she was “entirely supportive,” of Meghan and Harry’s decision, but “would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family.”  

Her Majesty concluded the statement by explaining that such matters are “complex… for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done.” A final decision on the Duke and Duchess’ future within the royal family is expected to be reached within the next few days. 

A statement from Her Majesty The Queen. https://t.co/IVSyfeojqk

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) January 13, 2020

Read the Queen’s full statement below:

“Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family.

My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.

Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives.

It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK.

These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days.”