The Queen has released a personal statement about today’s crisis talks at Sandringham, hoping that a solution will be found within the coming days.
Her Majesty called the talks today ‘constructive’ in which they discussed ‘the future of my grandson and his family’.
Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex is thought to have called into the discussions from Canada, where she is with baby Archie. Picture by i-Images / Pool
“My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family,” the statement says. “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.”
The couple already announced they wanted to split their time between the UK and North America, but The Queen specifically refers to Canada in her statement. “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.
The Queen was joined by Charles, William and Harry at Sandringham for ‘crisis talks’ about the future of the Sussexes (Bigstock)
“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 announcement is expectedly vague about what went on today, but it is unusual for us to get such a personal comment from the Monarch.
However, note this sentence: ‘their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.’My inference is that they will not be allowed to pursue the half in-half out model the Sussexes initially mentioned, supported by the fact that the statement makes no mention of them working for The Queen going forwards, or supporting her as Monarch.
It is also interesting that she referred to The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as simply ‘Harry and Meghan’. Yes, it could certainly be because this is a very personal statement, but I can’t remember a time that a statement from The Queen didn’t refer to a Royal’s proper title…
