From a blind date to a war with the tabloids, a timeline of the events leading to Harry and Meghan stepping down.
Video / AP / ET
Meghan Markle has reportedly upped and left London during one of the biggest royal storms in history, leaving Prince Harry to deal with the mess.
According to the Daily Mail in London, the Duchess of Sussex flew to Canada yesterday where she is said to have left her eight-month-old babyArchie with a nanny and her mother, Doria Ragland.
This seemingly signals Meghan, 38, always intended to flee in the wake of the bombshell news yesterday she and Harry would be stepping down as "senior" royals and dividing their time between the UK and North America as they work to become "financially independent".
The Duchess has upped and left London during one of the biggest royal storms in history. Photo / Getty Images
Meghan and Harry only arrived back in London on Monday after a six-week break in Vancouver over the Christmas-New Year period.
The Duke of Sussex is thought to have remained in London where he is holding crisis talks with the Queen and other members of the British royal family.
He is also set to host the Rugby League World Cup 2021 draw next week.
A source told The Sun, "It was only a flying visit for Meghan. She wanted to get back home to Archie," adding Meghan didn't want her baby to get jet lag.
The Queen is said to have tasked her teams to work rapidly to negotiate Meghan and Harry's exit from the British royal family, which could be a few weeks away from being finalised.
It comes amid multiple reports the Queen had asked Harry not to issue the statement on Wednesday, but he defied her orders and went ahead with it anyway.
No other members of the royal family were consulted before the shock statement was issued.
The pair posted on Instagram on Wednesday night local time that they planned to "step back" from royal duties and split their time between Britain and abroad – with Canada expected to be their second home.
The couple said they would be "financially independent" in their new lives but would still support the Queen and take money from Prince Charles' Duchy of Cornwall Estate.
A Buckingham Palace statement released shortly after the bombshell announcement said discussions were "at an early stage", adding: "We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through."
Frustrated aides have accused the couple of wanting to "have their cake and eat it".
The couple now faces huge questions about how their "progressive" new role will work.
Their new website makes no mention of giving up royal titles or protection and says they will remain living in Frogmore Cottage – which has recently been given a $4.56 million taxpayer-funded renovation.
