Queen Elizabeth II supports the Duke and Duchess of Sussex

Ceremony of welcome for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in New Zealand. Image from Wikimedia Commons

Queen Elizabeth II has agreed on the decision of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to step back as senior royals.  The statement reads: 

Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family. My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan's desire to create a new life as a young family. 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. 

Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives. 

It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK. 

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.

The Queen has summoned her son and heir, Prince Charles,and his two sons, Princes William and Harry, to Sandringham to hammer to discuss this urgent matter following the Sussexes’ surprise announcement to "step back as 'senior' members of the Royal Family".

They also said they wanted a "progressive new role" within the institution, where they would be financially independent and divide their time between the UK and North America.

It is interesting to read that the Queen addressed “Harry and Meghan” in their first names, and not as Duke and Duchess of Sussex. This may give us a hint that she was dealing with the latest debacle not just as Queen and head of the Royal Family but as the affectionate grandmother.

The Queen has made it clear that they would not rely on public funds, so it is understood that they would cease to receive money from the Sovereign Grant Fund. It is, however, unknown if Prince Charles will also cease to provide for his younger son and daughter-in-law out from the funds of the Duchy of Cornwall.

In the meantime, royal staffers are hammering out the nitty-gritty details involving the the royal couple’s transitions to a “more independent life”, e.g. security concerns.