The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have declared that they will take a step back as “senior” royals and strive to become financially independent.

Harry and Meghan explained their choice in a statement on their website and Instagram.

“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,” they wrote. “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.”

They want to split their time between the United Kingdom and North America in order to continue “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.”

Buckingham Palace made it plain in a statement notable for its chilling brevity that this is not a done deal.

“Discussions with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage,” the palace stated. “We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through.”

This was a “bombshell” according to Europe reporter Bridget Brennan, and “no-one was really expecting an announcement of this size”

Royal biographer and pundit Christopher Warwick believes that Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex have been dissatisfied in their positions in recent months.

In the last year, Harry has made a series of impassioned statements denouncing the tabloid press’s behavior and initiating legal procedures in reaction to what he calls “bullying” by certain parts of the media.

Meghan also spoke openly about the extreme media scrutiny she has experienced since joining the Royal family in an ITV documentary, claiming the pressure she felt throughout her pregnancy and as a new mother was “really challenging”

The BBC claimed Prince William was “worried” about Harry when the interview from their Africa trip aired.

According to BBC royal reporter Jonny Dymond, the fact that palace officials were “disappointed” is “pretty strong”

“I think it indicates a real strength of feeling in the palace tonight – maybe not so much about what has been done but about how it has been done – and the lack of consultation I think will sting.

“This is clearly a major rift between Harry and Meghan on one part, and the rest of the Royal Family on the other.”

According to the BBC, no other royals, including the Queen and Prince William, were consulted before the announcement, and Buckingham Palace is “disappointed”

The news is said to have “hurt” senior royals.

Since the pair returned from a six-week trip to Canada earlier this month, it has been speculated that they would take a break from royal responsibilities. The suspicion increased when Queen Elizabeth delivered her Christmas speech with family pictures prominently placed on her desk — but no photo of Harry, Meghan, and their baby, Archie.

The couple recently sued The Mail on Sunday’s parent business, Associated Newspapers, shortly after the birth of Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor in May, when the tabloid published a private letter written by Meghan.

According to the legal firm representing them, the royal couple also filed a lawsuit against Associated Newspapers in October for the abuse of private information, infringement of copyright, and violation of the United Kingdom’s Data Protection Act 2018.

In addition, Harry issued a stinging statement condemning the British tabloids for waging a “ruthless campaign” against his wife.

“I’ve seen what happens when someone I love is commoditized to the point that they are no longer treated or seen as a real person,” he said. “I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces.”