*In a statement on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday, Buckingham Palace called Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to “step back” as senior members of royal family complicated.”
“Discussions with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage,” the statement issued by Deputy Communications Secretary to The Queen, Hannah Howard, reads. “We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through.”
We previously reported… the Duke and Duchess of Sussex dropped a bombshell on Wednesday when they announced their decision 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.”
The couple plan to balance their time between the United Kingdom and North America while continuing to honor their duties to the monarchy and their royal patronages, per etonline.com.
OTHER NEWS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED: Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan to ‘Step Back’ as Senior Members of Royal Family
“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,” Meghan and Harry’s Instagram statement reads, in part (see above). “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 are not quitting the Royal Family, but they are definitely changing the royal role,” said BBC royal correspondent Jonny Dymond.
Following the couple’s announcement, royal correspondent Katie Nicholl said Harry and Meghan’s announcement came as a surprise o the Queen.
“This has been an absolute bombshell of an announcement that hasn’t just shocked all of us, it has come as a massive shock to the royal family,” Nicholls tells ET. “Senior members of the royal family — and yes, I do mean the Queen — were not aware that this statement was coming tonight.”
“When you read the statement from Buckingham Palace this evening, I think it’s quite clear the statement has come as a surprise to them,” she adds. “The word that was used to me by a senior palace aid this evening was that there was great ‘disappointment’ that their statement had been made so prematurely,” adding that the Sussexes may “have jumped the gun with this.”
Nicholl previously told ET that the couple was determined for their son, Archie, to have “as normal a life as possible.”
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