Royal couple Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, revealed on the 6th of January 2020 that they will be “stepping back” from their duties as senior members of the Royal Family.
On a formal Instagram post of the royal couple’s account, they stated that “after many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year.”
They added that they will continue support for Queen Elizabeth II to a certain extent. And that their “stepping back” would allow them time to balance “between the United Kingdom and North America” to set up their own charitable entity and raise their newborn son Archie.
The announcement came as a shock for the Royal family, since Harry and Meghan never consulted them about this. A statement sent by the Royal Communications indicated that “discussions with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage”, and that the family “understand their desire to take a different approach”. But the Buckingham Palace explained that the issue was complicated.
This unprecedented news came at a time when the Duke and Duchess was embroiled in a media frenzy when Meghan sued the Mail for an unauthorized exposure of a letter to her father and Harry criticized the tabloids for united mistreatment towards Meghan. But the media’s coverage of the couple came off light against the multiple criticisms about the couple’s lavish lifestyle, duplicitous cause and allegations of Meghan’s treatment to her staff.
The news also came off from the couple’s opposing views of the institution that sparked tension within the royal family. The Duke of Sussex was also caught in a rift with his brother Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, which was speculated to have contributed pressure for the couple. The Queen also hinted of a “bumpy” path her family endured last year, along with the nation.
Yet, the Duke and Duchess assured that after cutting ties with the Kensington Palace and the Cambridge Foundation, they will establish a separate communications arm and a Sussex Royal-centered charity, respectively.
