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Buckingham Palace Responds To Meghan Markle, Prince Harry’s Decision To Take A ‘Step Back’ From Royal Roles

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Lauryn Overhultz Columnist
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Buckingham Palace responded to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to step back from their roles in the royal family.

The decision was announced Wednesday on Instagram after reports surfaced that Markle and Prince Harry were contemplating moving to Canada and giving up their royal titles.

Buckingham Palace published their own statement shortly after.

“Discussions with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage,” the Palace said in a statement. “We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through.” (RELATED: Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Confirm They Will ‘Step Back’ From Royal Roles)

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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

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The statement from Markle and Prince Harry claimed the two are working to “carve out a progressive new role.”

“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,” Markle and Prince Harry’s statement read 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.”

“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,” the statement added.

The BBC reported that nobody in the royal family was consulted before Markle and Prince Harry made their announcement on Instagram.

“BREAKING. BBC Understands that no other member of the Royal Family was consulted before Harry and Meghan issued their personal statement tonight, the Palace is understood to be ‘disappointed,'” Royal Correspondent Jonny Dymond tweeted.