Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's avowal to take a step back from 'Senior' royal duties has inspired dramatic reactions from everyone spanning Twitter to the tabloids. One person projecting a much more measured outlook, however, is Queen Elizabeth II.
After the Royal Family met for what has been dubbed the 'Sandringham summit' today, which came mere hours after Prince William and Prince Harry issued a joint statement denying a 'false story' about the state of their relationship, Queen Elizabeth II has released her own statement.
This statement - which confirms rumours that the couple and their son Archie will be spending a great portion of their time in Canada - is at odds with the way that the Queen has thus far been depicted in the British tabloid press. Though she has variously been dubbed 'furious' and out-of-the-loop, her own words make it clear that this has not been the case:
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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.WPA Pool//Getty Images
This message from the UK's 93-year-old Head of State make it clear that she is both in the know and also in support of her grandson's decision, though she admits she would have preferred they remained full time members of the firm.
Daisy Murray is the Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, spotlighting emerging designers, sustainable shopping, and celebrity style. Since joining in 2016 as an editorial intern, Daisy has run the gamut of fashion journalism - interviewing Molly Goddard backstage at London Fashion Week, investigating the power of androgynous dressing and celebrating the joys of vintage shopping.
