Meghan And Harry Are Stepping Down As "Senior" Members of The Royal Family

♦ Meghan and Harry have decided to step down as "senior" members of the royal family to become finanacially independent

♦ They plan to balance their time between North America and the United Kingdom

Yesterday, the Meghan Markle and Prince Harry released a statement via their official Instagram account, @sussexroyal, to announce their plan to step down as "senior" members of the royal family. In the statement, the Duke and Duchess say, "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." In the statement, they reveal their "plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America" and becoming "financially independent". This news comes as a shock after their first official visit in public since early November. 

The statement also read that they will raise baby Archie "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."

View this post on Instagram

“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

Buckingham palace has since responded to the shocking news. In an official statement, they say, "Discussions with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage. We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through." 

A statement from Buckingham Palace regarding The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. https://t.co/1qtTEHiIq6— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) January 8, 2020

The couple has been open about the pressure of being in the limelight, during her interview with Tom Brady, Meghan said, "my British friends said to me, 'I'm sure he's great but you shouldn't do it, because the British tabloids will destroy your life'."

We'll keep you updated as the news unfolds.