By Luis Robledo
The Duke and Duchess Of Sussex have made a shocking announcement: they will be stepping back from their roles as senior royals.
“After many months of reflection and internal discussion, we have chosen to make a transition this year. 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,” the couple said in an Instagram post. This statement quite literally caused a royal drama at the palace, as the family didn’t get a heads up before the couple dropped this post.
While this is unprecedented, rumors that all was not well in the family were quite common. From the beginning, Prince Harry and Meghan’s desire to do things differently didn’t set well with traditionalists and created a rift between Prince Harry and his brother Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge.
The couple’s individualistic approach to royal life annoyed some, especially mainstream British tabloids, but as a whole, most people thought the new couple just needed some time to adjust to what was expected of them. However, there were big parts of the royal job that they just didn’t like.
As a prince, Harry grew up in the public eye and was definitely used to it, but he resented the way the media treated his wife from day one of their relationship. Meanwhile, as a strong woman who had her own life before she met Prince Harry in 2016, Meghan didn’t want to be a voiceless figurehead, but every time she spoke up, she got criticized for it.
As a matter of fact, many British media commentators suggested this whole thing was Meghan’s idea, and that Harry is just simply giving her what she wants. Now, although Meghan is a strong-willed woman, the idea of Harry, a strong young man who spent a decade in the British Army, is only living a life for the convenience of his wife is a little far-fetched.
Their shock decision makes you wonder just how bad the situation is at the palace that this confident royal couple felt they had no other choice but to walk away.
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