In a stunning statement, Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, announced today they plan to “step back” as senior members of the royal family.
The couple made the announcement on Instagram, writing their plan is to become financially independent.
“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 said in a statement.
The couple says their plan is to balance time between the United Kingdom and the North America. In their next chapter, they plan to launch a new charity and will be sharing the full details in the near future.
Harry, 35, is a grandson of Queen Elizabeth II and is 6th in line to the British throne.
The announcement comes on the heels of a Christmas vacation the family spent on Vancouver Island.
Not surprisingly, Canadian cities are high on the list of possibilities, especially given the couple’s decision to spend Christmas and New Year’s in the Great White North.
Hours before the announcement, rumours emerged online and in tabloids that the duo were planning a move to Canada, which Buckingham Palace refused to comment on.
But there are plenty of reasons such a move would make sense, aside from the fact it allows the royals to remain residents of the Commonwealth. Before marrying Prince Harry, the actress formerly known as Meghan Markle spent seven years living in Toronto while filming the TV series, “Suits,” and was a prominent celebrity champion of local hotspots and fashion brands.
Of course, it can’t be discounted that Meghan was born in California, where her mother Doria Ragland lives. Could the Duchess of Sussex be lured back to the Golden State to raise baby Archie near his maternal grandmother?
The royals’ sparse statement Wednesday offers few clues, other than the assurance that they will maintain their duty to “The Queen, the Commonwealth and our patronages.”
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