By Gabriel Princewill-
The Queen today has confirmed that constructive discussions have taken place between senior members of the Royal family and the Sussexes at Sandringham today.
The emergency meeting was suddenly called after Prince Harry and Meghan last week dropped a bombshell expressing their plans to seize royal duties and spend more time between the Uk and Canada. After a number of hours in serious and unprecedented talks, her Majesty The Queen announced an agreement of a “period of transition” in which the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will spend time in Canada and the UK.
SUPPORTIVE
She said she was “entirely supportive” of their desire for a new role but “would have preferred” them to remain full-time working royals. Discussions at some level will be ongoing, with final decisions expected to be made in the coming days, she said.
“My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family,” she said.
“Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.”
The Queen said it has been agreed that there will be “a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK” after Harry and Meghan “made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives”. The Queen added that:
“These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days,” she said.
DRAMA
On a day filled with drama, including a joint denial by Prince Harry and his brother Prince William that bullying by the latter was a catalyst to the decision of the Sussexes, this is certainly not the end of the story.
SECURITY BILL
An announcement by Canada’s president, Justin Trudeau, that his country would foot the security bill of the Dutch and Dutchess Of Sussex whilst in Canada adds to the monumental effect of the story. The radical decision for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to alter the customary traditions of the royal family is going to be consequential for the royal family to a high degree.