The world is reeling from the surprising announcement that Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan Markle will be stepping down as “Senior Royals”.
In a statement released on their official social media channels, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced that: “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.”
Along with their eight-month-old son, Archie, the couple will split their time between the UK and North America, as they “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, of course, is an unprecedented move, and as former palace press secretary Dickie Arbiter, said in an interview with TODAY, pointing to a “breakdown in the royal family”.
“Harry was an absolute bonus to the royal family. He had a tremendous attitude to his work. He brought a lot of joy to a lot of people,” Mr Arbiter said.
“It is a breakdown in the royal family. Something has gone wrong.”
While it seems that the Queen and royal household may have been blindsided by the decision — which was made very evident by the statement she released an hour later — it is nothing compared to royalists (and not-so royalists around the world) who have nicknamed the move “#megxit” which is now trending on Twitter.
Here are some of the best reactions to the news that is sending shock waves around the world.
Season 9 of The Crown will be banging when Prince Harry, played by Rupert Grint, becomes an eco-warrior and quits the Royal Family#Megxit pic.twitter.com/gs2KuPhbxa
— Ed Acteson (@Ed_Acteson) January 8, 2020
Prince Harry & Meghan Markle yesterday with that “Bye bitch, we out” glow pic.twitter.com/0VGR9Lj3eg
— ᴊᴇʟᴀ (@jelevision) January 8, 2020
Royal transition in making America Great (Britain) Again:
– Prince Harry marries an American
– Archie is born
– They all ‘retire’ to USA
– Archie gets dual citizenship
– Archie becomes King
– Archie also elected as US President
– USA is once again ruled by an English King#Megxit pic.twitter.com/uNtUXwxmtw— King Charles III (parody) (@Charles_HRH) January 8, 2020
https://twitter.com/jxebxck/status/1214996545239748611
How's Harry going to get a real job without a last name though? #Megxit pic.twitter.com/wx84j2xmxF
— Jeremy Weitz (@JeremyDWeitz) January 8, 2020
https://twitter.com/wooddog28/status/1214995204480081928
I dont understand why people are getting so upset about #Megxit after slagging her off for so long. I don't bloody blame them for telling everyone to sod off. #MeghanAndHarry pic.twitter.com/OiMeIrQz5I
— ShelbyGT (@MooncakeShelby) January 8, 2020
https://twitter.com/bluekrsna/status/1214990867338915840
https://twitter.com/KTHopkins/status/1214985381248192514