Meghan Markle flies back to Canada amid royal crisis talks

10 January 2020, 08:38 | Updated: 10 January 2020, 08:41

Meghan Markle has reportedly flown back to Canada
Meghan Markle has reportedly flown back to Canada. Picture: PA

The Duchess of Sussex has returned to Canada where she left baby Archie with his nanny, after she and Prince Harry made the bombshell announcement that they plan to ‘step back’ as senior royals.

After spending just a few days in the UK following an extended break in Canada, Meghan was confirmed to have returned there to be with her son Archie, possibly for the foreseeable future.

Harry is not expected to be seen in public again until next Thursday, when he will do the draw for the Rugby League World Cup in 2021. However according to reports Harry may have followed Meghan back to Canada late last night, ahead of the engagement.

View this post on Instagram

“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution. 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. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment. We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages. This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity. We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties. Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support.” - The Duke and Duchess of Sussex For more information, please visit sussexroyal.com (link in bio) Image © PA

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on

The development comes after the Queen demanded a ‘workable solution’ to the crisis must be put in place within days. Aides have been tasked with presenting a series of options to Meghan and Harry.

A Buckingham Palace source said the senior royals have asked aides to work "at pace" with governments and The Sussex Household and an outcome was expected to take "days, not weeks".

It comes after Harry and Meghan released a bombshell statement on Wednesday saying they would be "stepping back" as senior royals.

The Queen and other members of the family were said to be left "hurt" by Harry and Meghan's decision to issue a personal statement, which outlined their future lives as financially independent royals who will divide their time between the UK and North America.

The royal family will talk to multiple governments, which suggests US and Canadian officials may be involved.

Given the Queen's timetable of "days" it is likely they will want any talks concluded before the Prince of Wales travels to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories at the end of the month, to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the former Nazi concentration camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau.

It appears the head of state tried to forestall any announcements after her grandson asked to meet at her private Sandringham estate, the Evening Standard newspaper reported, only to be "ignored" by the couple.

The latest developments reveal the divisions within the heart of the British monarchy which has already been rocked by the Duke of York's disastrous television interview about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Harry and Meghan went ahead and released their personal statement on Wednesday evening which was a "bolt from the blue" for Buckingham Palace.

The Duke and Duchess, who have only recently returned from a six-week stay in Canada with eight-month-old son Archie, said in their statement: "After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution.

"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."

Meghan received a public boost from her close friend Jessica Mulroney, a Canadian stylist and TV star, who posted a quote attributed to Gina Carey, which said: "A strong woman looks a challenge in the eye and gives it a wink."

A series of commentators have strongly criticised their decision with public relations and crisis consultant Mark Borkowski saying about the Sussexes "It does feel like a royal couple in exile".

It is already known the Queen, Prince of Wales and other senior royals were not consulted about the content of the couple's statement or knew it was to be issued.

But the Standard said Charles and the Duke of Cambridge only received it 10 minutes before it was released.

Over the festive period the newspaper stated Charles told his son to come up with a thought out plan for his wish to spend more time in Canada and America, and when he put forward a draft proposal was told time was needed to consider its implications, particularly funding.

The Queen agreed to Harry's request to meet when he returned from Canada but the duke was told his grandmother would not discuss his proposals before he had talked them through with his father.

Despite the request not to make any announcements the Sussexes published their statement.

Buckingham Palace would not comment on the latest developments in the Harry and Meghan royal crisis.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

New housing reforms have been announced after the Grenfell Tower Inquiry found 'industry failures'.

‘Never again’: Rayner vows to curb ‘industry failures’ that led to Grenfell tragedy as she accepts inquiry findings in full

The skull was found by a fishing boat 150 miles off the coast of north Scotland

Human skull found by fishing boat in North Sea - as police issue facial recreation in hopes to identify unknown woman

BP

BP to slash renewables investment and boost gas and oil production

Collins claims her birthday is October 23, 2002 - putting her around the same age as McCann.

American woman claims she has 'DNA proof' she is missing Brit Madeleine McCann

Skunk Anansie bass player reveals cancer diagnosis

Skunk Anansie star reveals stage four cancer diagnosis which inspired 'emotional' new album

Thousands of Israelis have lined the streets for the funeral procession of hostage Shiri Bibas and her young sons after their remains were returned from Gaza.

'I couldn't protect you': Husband's tearful eulogy for Shiri Bibas and sons as thousands gather for hostages' funeral

Louisa (Lulu) Palmisano.

Man charged after girl, 3, killed in Manchester tram crash

Brits have had their say on what constitutes wealth

How much do you need to be paid to be wealthy? Brits have their say - and the answer is surprising

Long lines formed at New Look stores across Ireland today as the retailer opened for the final time, offering a closing down sale.

New Look closures: Full list of 26 Irish stores set to close as high-street brand enters liquidation

Liam Payne died in October

Liam Payne's blood alcohol levels at time of death revealed

Snow blizzard on Battersea Bridge, Chelsea, London, UK

Met Office map reveals which areas of UK are set to be battered by snow today as wet and windy weather sets in

Johnson, Chapeltown and Gatewood were each sentenced to seven years and two months in custody.

WATCH: Chilling moment gangsters armed with machetes and a gun chase teen through street in broad daylight

Tommy Fury was reportedly fined after being caught speeding

Tommy Fury 'fined after being caught speeding in £180k Mercedes following split from Molly-Mae Hague'

Exclusive
Speaking in the Commons on Tuesday, Sir Keir Starmer announced the increase to combat "tyrant" Vladimir Putin’s growing military ambitions.

'Hard power is more necessary than soft power': Defence Secretary backs cutting foreign aid to boost military spending

Alison Erb and Loreto di Salvatore

British woman shot dead in France alongside partner, as police officer husband accused of murder

Exclusive
Ex-Navy engineer backs BHF campaign to fix cardiac crisis

‘Desperate’ Navy veteran felt like a ‘ticking time bomb’ before using pension to pay for heart surgery