The Queen has issued a statement following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to step aside from their royal duties.
The monarch said she fully supports the couple as they seek to create a “new life” for themselves.
It comes after discussions were held at Sandringham aimed at resolving the future role of the Earl and Countess of Dunbarton within the royal family and agree the next steps.
On Monday, The Queen said the Royal Family is “entirely supportive” of their decision to seek a “more independent life as a family”.
A statement from Her Majesty The Queen. https://t.co/IVSyfeojqk
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) January 13, 2020
However she added that they “would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family”.
She confirmed there will be a period of “transition” as Harry and Meghan look to become financially independent. During this period they will divide their time between the UK and Canada.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to ‘step back’ as senior members of Royal Family
The Queen said: “Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family.
“My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family.
“Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.”
She added: “Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives.
“It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK.
“These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days.”
Last Wednesday, the Earl and Countess of issued a personal message on their future as royals, stating their intention to “carve out a progressive new role within this institution”.
They said their son Archie will be raised “with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born” – and added they will soon begin to focus on the launch of a new charitable cause.
