The Queen and Buckingham Palace 'hurt' after Harry and Meghan's Royal Family exit

9 January 2020, 10:05

The Royal Family are said to be "hurt" at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's decision to step down as senior royals.

Prince Harry and Meghan did not speak to any senior royal before making the official statement yesterday (January 8).

Buckingham Palace was "blindsided" and that there are "complicated issues" to work through, reports BBC News.

Harry and Meghan announced on Wednesday that they had decided the move "after many months of reflection and internal discussions".

The couple said they will aim "to step back as 'senior' members of the Royal Family, and work to become financially independent".

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“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 Duke and Duchess of Sussex For more information, please visit sussexroyal.com (link in bio) Image © PA

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Jan 8, 2020 at 10:33am PST

They will split their time between the UK and North America, while "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," the couple added.

Harry and Meghan were already soon to launch their own Sussex Royal charity, which they created after splitting from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's foundation in June 2019.

On social media, Buckingham Palace officials wrote: “We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through.”

Social media has been dominated by the unprecedented announcement, with the UK public appearing to be divided over their decision.

Piers Morgan has furiously criticised the couple on Twitter, saying: "Wow. What a disgraceful way to treat the Queen. Shame on Harry and Meghan."