Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Announce They're Stepping Away From The British Monarchy

Following a break from their royal duties during the holiday season, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle released an official statement on their Instagram page today announcing that they would be stepping back as "senior members of the royal family" and plan to divide their time between North American and the United Kingdom.

Despite rumors of a possible move to Canada, many were shocked to hear that they would be leaving their current roles within the British Monarchy completely. While their post promises more information to be provided soon, the royal couple's decision was mostly celebrated on Twitter by many who couldn't wait to meme about the breaking news.

Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan confirm that they are stepping back as senior members of the royal family and will divide their time between the UK and North America. Full statement: pic.twitter.com/D2iAs71rWc

— Omid Scobie (@scobie) January 8, 2020

 
Some pictured how their departure would go.

meghan and harry leaving that dusty palace pic.twitter.com/8NNkwwug1v

— hunter harris (@hunteryharris) January 8, 2020

 
Canadians expressed their excitement about their new neighbors.

here i am greeting meghan and harry when their plane lands in canada pic.twitter.com/qt2T0Cd6rE

— Anne T. Donahue (@annetdonahue) January 8, 2020

 
Others were motivated to channel the couple's energy.

May we all tackle our New Year resolutions as swiftly as Harry and Meghan. pic.twitter.com/4Q4vDgM0p1

— Sylvia Obell (@SylviaObell) January 8, 2020

 
Of course Meghan Markle's time at Deal or No Deal was mentioned.

Meghan Markle holding a Deal or No Deal suitcase but inside it says “I will dismantle the monarchy” pic.twitter.com/LqCVpgjFD7

— Erin casual war crime threat Ryan (@morninggloria) January 8, 2020

 
Several users defended the Duke and Duchess' choice to leave the UK.

Royal watchers did all that bullying thinking it would make Harry leave Meghan and instead Harry left the royals pic.twitter.com/WcQahN5esc

— Ashley K. (@AshleyKSmalls) January 8, 2020

 
Similarities between Harry's wife and his mother, Princess Diana, were made.

They thought Harry was going to let them brake his wife into pieces until either she was dead or the marriage was officially broken. They thought he was going to choose the institution above his wife & son. They underestimate his love for Meghan. What a MAN 👏 pic.twitter.com/pKo3iNAgc0

— Julieth 🌻 (@troubleshade) January 8, 2020

 
And of course we received some jokes about Suits and The Crown.

writers for The Crown vs. writers for Suits pic.twitter.com/nJavWHpr8W

— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) January 8, 2020

 
Mostly because some users think Meghan will now play herself in a future season.

meghan markle in 2027 when she wins an emmy for playing herself in the crown season 8 episode about today pic.twitter.com/3WbpqUOwDx

— matt (@RealMattGannon) January 8, 2020

 
We can't wait for the first photo of Meghan Markle and Yoko Ono.

proud of meghan markle for yoko ono-ing the royal family

— ziwe (@ziwe) January 8, 2020

 
Of course many couldn't help but touch on how messy the couple's relationship with the British press had been.

I have absolutely no idea why Harry and Meghan decided to step back as senior members of the Royal Family. pic.twitter.com/AKanshXHR3

— James Melville (@JamesMelville) January 8, 2020

 
And how the British press seemingly found fault with mostly everything they ever did.

British public: weLL IF MEGHAN AND HARRY don't like beiNG IN the PUBLIC EYE they should STEP BACKMeghan and Harry step backBritish public: pic.twitter.com/OZMGLExBVF

— Leanne Sturrock (@leannesturrock) January 8, 2020

 
If anything, they were just doing what the press requested.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: we’d like some privacy to raise our son and-British press: Then leave lmaoPrince Harry and Meghan Markle: actually leaveBritish press: pic.twitter.com/kQAPkpoOD7

— wan’s hair (@thefIoridaprjec) January 8, 2020

 
Some even thought this was the plot of a Hallmark film.

Excuse me did Meghan Markle just direct a gender-swapped Hallmark movie where the prince gives up his crown for love??

— Elizabeth Kidd (@libbuh) January 8, 2020

 
Of course, negative feedback was also provided on Twitter.

People say I'm too critical of Meghan Markle – but she ditched her family, ditched her Dad, ditched most of her old friends, split Harry from William & has now split him from the Royal Family. I rest my case. pic.twitter.com/xgKLTt2Y0Z

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 8, 2020

 
Especially in regard to the amount of taxes spent on their new home they restored last year.

Six months after tax payers fund a £2.4m renovation on his gaff Prince Harry says he’s gonna become “financially independent” https://t.co/WZMWlDKCVw

— Wrighty (@_Wrighty7) January 8, 2020

 
The home they now look to be financially independent of, according to their Instagram post.

"As we work towards being financially independent" said Harry and Meghan from their cottage…#HarryandMeghan pic.twitter.com/B5u73EYWuT

— Derek Fallon (@Derekfallon) January 8, 2020

 
And while their Instagram post stated they were in search of a more progressive role, one user pointed out how Kate Middleton had already modernized the monarchy.

Honestly the only millennial Royal who "carved out a new progressive role within this institution" is Kate Middleton who, when she was pregnant, got the Queen to change the rule about the line of succession to allow a firstborn daughter to be Queen (if George had been a girl).

— Liz Wheeler (@Liz_Wheeler) January 8, 2020

 
Surely we expect to hear what their next moves are soon, but some things remain a mystery.

Presumably Harry and Meghan becoming “financially independent” of the Royal Family doesn’t involve them using the Royal titles they trademarked last month to sell merchandise? #HarryandMeghan pic.twitter.com/15S01t9mQJ

— Joe Armitage (@joe_armitage) January 8, 2020

 
For example, what will Prince Harry choose as his last name?

How's Harry going to get a real job without a last name though? #Megxit pic.twitter.com/wx84j2xmxF

— Jeremy Dickey (@JeremyDDickey) January 8, 2020

 
Following the couple's announcement, Queen Elizabeth II released her own official statement leading to more confusion.

The Royal Family acting like Meghan and Harry broke up with them via text: pic.twitter.com/Dto010AtB7

— Michael Tannenbaum (@iamTannenbaum) January 8, 2020

 

One thing is for sure, 2020 continues to be extremely interesting.