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Details of Prince Harry and Meghan’s split from the royal family revealed as world reacts

The wold is reacting to Harry and Meghan’s divorce deal from the royals, with none angrier than outspoken Sussex critic Piers Morgan.

4 min read
January 20, 2020 - 7:11AM
Harry and Meghan to give up royal titles

As Prince Harry and Meghan announced the details of their split from the royal family, the world reacted with everything from anger to relief for the scrutinised couple.

The news of the royal divorce has spread near and far, with royal editors across the globe discussing the pros and cons of Harry and Meghan’s big move.

In a statement released on Sunday, the Queen said she hoped that the agreement would allow them to “start building a happy and peaceful new life”.

“I recognise the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life,” she added.

In a separate statement, Buckingham Palace announced the couple would no longer use their royal titles and would not receive public money for royal duties.

Royal editor for Harper’s Bazaar US Omid Scobie was conciliatory: “This new chapter will finally provide the freedom (and change) that Harry and Meghan need to thrive and be happy.”

The couple will no longer represent the royal family on official duties including military duties and “wish” to repay the $4.5 million of taxpayer money they used to refurbish Frogmore Cottage. However the property will remain their home while in the UK.

The new changes will come into effect in the northern spring.

British politician and leader of the Brexit Party Nigel Farage tweeted: “It is best for all that Harry and Meghan stop using HRH and leave with a clean break. Half in, half out would have been a total disaster.”

In the hours following the announcement of the details of “Megxit”, the world was already reacting.

“Meghan” and “Royal Family” were quickly among the top trends on Twitter.

Piers Morgan, the loudest critic of Meghan Markle, was less than kind.

He tweeted: “The Queen’s told Megan/Harry to sling their part-time royal hook. Well done, Your Majesty – right decision.”

He also blasted Harry for withdrawing from the military.

“Staggering that Harry would turn his back on the military like this,” he said on Twitter.

Mashable tweeted the news with a simple line: “They’re free”, meanwhile Bloomberg posted: “Prince Harry is no longer His Royal Highness”.

CNN said: “Prince Harry and Meghan are no longer working members of the royal family.”

The BBC’s royal correspondent Jonny Dymond said it was “harder to think of a much cleaner break”.

“The early talk was of a much more mixed life — one where perhaps Harry and Meghan continued with some royal duties, dividing their time equally between the UK and Canada,” Mr Dymond said.

“But the contradictions and conflicts of interest were too many. There are still lots of details to thrash out and the whole thing will be reviewed after a year.

“But a new life awaits Harry and Meghan — celebrities, certainly, but a different kind of royalty.”

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex announced the details of their split. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex announced the details of their split. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Sky News’royal commentator Alastair Bruce said despite the statement seeming warm, the Queen had “brought down the iron fist”.

“This was turning into an enormous distraction and this is a seismic announcement from the Queen,” he said.

“It’s still very warm on the pastoral side of affection from a grandmother to her grandson and her great-grandson and granddaughter-in-law, but at the same time she has brought down the iron fist of monarchical leadership on a problem that needed to be solved.”

Others are taking to social media to comment — some expressing a sigh of relief for the couple.

The full details of their step-back from the royal family are still to come completely to light but a number of things are confirmed so far.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are to drop their HRH “royal highness” styles and become known as Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.

Their son, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, is not an HRH — nor a prince — as he is too far down the line of succession from the monarch.

Harry and Meghan could have used the courtesy title Earl of Dumbarton for him, or he was entitled to be Lord Archie Mountbatten-Windsor.

But they took the personal decision to make him a plain Master, most likely inspired by Harry’s wish to have been a normal child, rather than a prince, as he grew up.

Archie will, however, be entitled to be HRH and a prince when the Prince of Wales accedes to the throne — although Harry and Meghan almost certainly will not opt for this now.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with Archie. Picture: Henk Kruger/AFP
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with Archie. Picture: Henk Kruger/AFP

It comes 24 years after Harry’s own mother was stripped of her HRH style, and her title becoming Diana, Princess of Wales following her divorce.

But unlike Diana, although the Harry and Meghan will not use their HRHs, they will still retain them.

The change will take effect in the spring when the couple will no longer be working royals.

Harry, who was born a Prince of Wales, remains a prince. He has been styled an HRH since birth.

He was given the title the Duke of Sussex by his grandmother the Queen on the morning of his wedding.

American former actor Meghan Markle became HRH the Duchess of Sussex after saying her vows.

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