5 Signs Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Were Leaving The Royal Family

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle just made a major announcement about their role as royals. The duo announced on Wednesday that they intend to “step back as senior members of the Royal Family,” and they are making plans to split their time between the U.K. and North America.

“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,” the Duke and Duchess of Sussex wrote on Instagram. “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.”

While some find the move shocking we at HipHollywood could kind of see this coming.

Christmas In Canada

Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, spent their first holiday season as a family of three with son Archie, 8 months, on Vancouver Island. The palace confirmed that the family were “spending private family time in Canada” ahead of Christmas and would not be spending the holiday with the royal family at ­Sandringham. The couple have yet to return to the UK. According to the DailyMail they are also staying in a pretty sweet mansion set up for them by family friend and fellow Canadian David Foster.

Shade From U.K. Tabloids

The move comes as the couple are embroiled in several lawsuits with the U.K. press. Markle has received constant shade from the British tabloids, so much so Harry had to issue a statement about the “ruthless treatment” toward his wife. Markle also acknowledged feeling under strain earlier this fall amid tabloid pressure and ongoing family tensions.

The Family Beef

Multiple insiders say the chill between the Sussexes and Cambridges runs deeper than many outsiders realize. Sources say William cautioned Harry about moving too fast with the American actress) and since the rift between the two has rippled across the royal family, from seating to staffing to Christmas plans.

They Met In North America

The couple have history with Canada, which is part of the commonwealth (a group of nations with close ties to the Crown). Meghan called Toronto home for years while she filmed her hit USA legal drama Suits, and she was living there when she and Harry first began dating. The couple’s first public appearance together was in support of Harry’s Invictus Games in Toronto in 2017.

Harry’s Sixth In Line To The Throne

Lets be honest, Harry’s chances of becoming King are pretty slim. Currently he’s sixth in line to the throne, behind his father, Prince Charles, brother, Prince William, and William’s three children George, Charlotte and Louis.