Yesterday, when I said that nothing much was happening with Meghan and Harry, I’m afraid I spoke too soon.

After months of going back and forth about where they might live other than the UK (South Africa was an option at one point), the couple returned from a holiday in Canada with some big news.

I’ll give you a clue – #Megxit is trending on social media.

I’ll let The Telegraph break it to you gently:

In an extraordinary statement released on Wednesday night, the couple announced plans to “step back” from their current roles and split their time between the UK and North America.

Apparently the Royal Family found out about this at roughly the same time as everyone else and they aren’t taking it very well.

The Royal Family was said to be “hurt” and “deeply disappointed” on Wednesday night after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex “stepped back” as senior members without consulting the Queen, the Prince of Wales or the Duke of Cambridge.

…The move left the 93-year-old monarch and royal aides blindsided as they had only “very recently” been made aware of the Sussex’s intentions. Aides stressed the announcement was “personal” and had not been approved by the palace.

I’m pretty sure the fact that they can’t blow their own noses without consulting the Queen, the Prince of Wales, or the Duke of Cambridge might have something to do with their decision to live like (relatively) normal people instead of senior royalty.

Meghan and Harry made the announcement on Instagram. You can read that here if you have nothing better to do:

 

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

Their website is here, in case you want to snoop.

The real bombshell here is that they plan on working to become financially independent, which should be interesting. Are they going to get jobs? Will they be working as influencers? They plan on keeping their titles, so they aren’t parting ways with the Royal Family entirely.

The Queen is apparently still struggling, though.

In a statement released almost two hours later, Buckingham Palace said the couple’s “desire to take a different approach” created “complicated issues” that would take time to resolve.

The unprecedented announcement was branded “devastating” for the Queen, who has already endured a terrible few months having had to effectively implore the Duke of York to stand down from public duties over his relationship with paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein.

Ah, Andrew. Such a disappointment.

Back to Harry and Meghan who won’t be giving up their cottage at Frogmore. They’re also hanging on to their taxpayer-funded protection officers in return for carrying out some royal duties on behalf of the Queen.

Okay, so it’s that kind of ‘financially independent’ then. You know, the kind where you have a job but you also still live rent-free with your parents?

Whatever happens, we shall overcome.

Keep calm, and carry on.

[sources:telegraph]