CRUNCH TIME
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Christmas break in Canada was ‘make or break’ for shock decision to quit Royals
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle used their six-week Christmas break in Canada to mull over a "make or break" decision to quit the Royal Family, a royal insider has claimed.
In a bombshell statement last night, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said they wanted to "step back" from royal duties and become "financially independent".
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The couple also pointed out that they will split their time between Britain and North America - with Canada expected to be their second home.
Their future in the Royal family was on a "knife edge" before Christmas, when they spent their six week sabbatical in Canada.
It was there, Harry and Meghan were thinking if they really wanted to remain a part of the family.
A source told : "It was a make or break. And they decided to break away."
The Queen is believed to be devastated, despite expressing her public "disappointment".
Princes Charles and William are "incandescent with rage" at the news.
Even the Sussexes own aides feel as though they have been "stabbed in the back".
What we know so far:
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have quit as senior royals
- The bombshell announcement came reportedly after no other royals were consulted
- The Queen is said to be 'disappointed' at the statement
- The couple plan to live in both North America and the UK with their son Archie
- They want to be 'financially independent' but will still support the Queen
- Princes Charles and William are 'incandescent with rage' at the news
Harry and Meghan said they made the choice after "many months of reflection and internal discussion", which could mean they have been contemplating the split from around November 2018 - six months after their wedding.
It was then rumours of what happened within the royal household in the run up to the wedding were revealed, with MEghan reportedly rowing with palace staff and her sister-in-law, Kate Middleton.
And just before they went to Canada, during their Royal Africa tour, Harry and Meghan discussed their struggles with fame in an ITV documentary.
Harry referred to his relationship with his brother William— saying that although he knew his older sibling was there for him, they were “certainly on different paths”.
MAKING A MOVE
A statement from Buckingham Palace admitted discussions with the couple will be "complicated".
The Duke, 34, and Duchess, 38, said in their surprise statement last night: “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.
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"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.”
Prince Harry and Meghan poised to return to Canada for significant part of 2020 after ‘feeling sidelined’ by royals
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