The royal couple have made a shock announcement. Photo / Getty Images
The royal couple have made a shock announcement. Photo / Getty Images
As the world reacts to the announcement that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will "step back" from the royal family, BBC royal correspondent Jonny Dymond has clarified what this actually means for the pair and the monarchy.
Firstly, Dymond explains that the announcement doesn't mean the Duke and Duchess are resigning. Rather, they are establishing a "new working model".
He says what is clear is their intention to spend a significant amount of time outside of Britain, predominantly in Canada.
He also explains that what will change is they will no longer participate in "ribbon-cutting events," such as opening hospitals. Harry, however, will likely still be involved with the Invictus Games which he set up for injured servicemen and women.
Dymon also explained it's unlikely the couple will continue with royal tours - but that these details are yet to be confirmed by the pair.
In terms of whether or not the couple will still receive taxpayer funding - that will cease.
The pair will rely on their savings and Harry's inheritance from his late mother Princess Diana's estate. But Dyson says it will be near-impossible for them to have "jobs" when they still remain somewhat royals.
This morning Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they will "step back" as senior members of the British royal family.
The couple released a statement detailing their decision and intentions:
"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 surprise development comes on the heels of mounting speculation about the couple's future, with reports claiming they had met the Prince of Wales and the Queen to discuss their role.
Harry and Meghan were said to have felt uncertain about their own position in the slimmed-down monarchy envisaged by Charles when he ascends to the throne.
They had also suggested publicly they were struggling to cope with life in the spotlight, with Meghan telling an ITV documentary last year: "I've really tried to adopt this British sensibility of a stiff upper lip. I've tried, I've really tried.
"But I think that what that does internally is probably really damaging.
"The biggest thing that I know is that I never thought this would be easy. But I thought it would be fair. And that's the part that's really hard to reconcile."
During the same documentary - Harry & Meghan: An African Journey - Harry confirmed the rumoured rift between him and his brother, the Duke of Cambridge, in comments that are understood to have alarmed Kensington Palace.
This week saw the couple return to royal duties, as they visited Canada House in London to thank the high commissioner for the country's hospitality during their recent trip.
Their statement comes at the start of a busy year, as they prepare to launch their own charitable foundation, Sussex Royal, as well as new initiatives such as Travalyst, the Duke's sustainable tourism project, and a host of new endeavours yet to be announced.
