Meghan and Harry in turmoil: The Queen's reaction was not long in coming
ELIZABETH II WAS NOT AWARE
By announcing their desire to give up their royal duties this Thursday, January 8 via an Instagram post, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry took everyone by surprise and caused a real earthquake in Buckingham. Even Queen Elizabeth II, who was quick to react to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's decision ... and to contradict it.
Was Queen Elizabeth II taken by surprise by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to step back from royal duties? It seems their six-week break in Canada, where they were able to live freely away from the prying eyes of the tabloids, gave the Duke and Duchess of Sussex some ideas. Barely returned to England, the parents of baby Archie announced that they no longer wanted to play a leading role in the crown on Wednesday January 8 on their Instagram account. If the couple plans to always support Queen Elizabeth II, they now want to forge their own path, between royal duties and independent life ... far from the United Kingdom.
After this shattering announcement, which upsets the balance of the royal family, Elizabeth II was quick to react. Journalist Richard Palmer, royal correspondent for the Daily Express, immediately shared on his Twitter account a statement from the Queen's office at Buckingham Palace. "Discussions with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are still at an early stage. We understand their desire to take a different path, but these are complicated matters and will take time to resolve" it read.
A statement that sows confusion. Has Elizabeth II given her consent to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in their willingness to relinquish the status of senior royal family members (a status which implies greater obligations)? Was she even aware that the couple were going to announce their decision on Thursday? The message from the Sovereign's office seems to imply that, contrary to what the Duke and Duchess of Sussex claim, their withdrawal from their royal duties has not yet been recorded, and in filigree, that it was not at all aware of this decision. However, such a change of status depends on the goodwill of the queen. Or do the discussions mentioned only allude to the future new place of Meghan and Harry within the royal family. Because that is the question today: what is the future of the Duke and Duchess within the British crown?
