Britain’s Prince Harry and his wife Meghan say they plan “to step back” as senior members of the Royal Family, a stunning revelation that underscores the wish of the couple to forge a new path for the royals in the modern world.
On Wednesday, a personal statement from the couple posted on Instagram said they intend to become financially independent, shunning public support, to underpin their work on charities.
It further said they intend to “balance” their time between the U.K. and North America, where the 38-year-old duchess grew up. It wasn’t specific about where in North America they would go, though they recently holidayed in Canada.
“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,” the couple wrote.
“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.”
Following their personal announcement, Buckingham Palace issued a statement in response, saying discussions with Harry and Meghan are still ongoing.
“We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through,” the palace said. “Discussions with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage.”
Harry, 35, is a grandson of Queen Elizabeth II and is sixth in line to the British throne.
Before marrying Harry in 2018, the Duchess of Sussex worked as an actress. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she lived in Toronto for about seven years while shooting the dramatic TV series Suits. The royal couple has one son, Archie, who is eight months old.
Although as an actress and human rights advocate the duchess was accustomed to media attention before her marriage, she has made no secret of the fact that the transition to the level of celebrity faced by the Royal Family was difficult.
Last year, Harry lashed out at the British media for its treatment of his wife, accusing them of hounding her the way they did his mother, Princess Diana, who died in a 1997 car crash while trying to elude paparazzi.
“My deepest fear is history repeating itself. I’ve seen what happens when someone I love is commoditized to the point that they are no longer treated or seen as a real person. I lost my mother, and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces,” Harry said in the fall.
