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Harry and Meghan step back: What we know so far Harry and Meghan: What we know so far and will happen next
(about 4 hours later)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex say they are to step back as "senior" royals and divide their time between the UK and North America.The Duke and Duchess of Sussex say they are to step back as "senior" royals and divide their time between the UK and North America.
The couple, who have a baby son, Archie, said they plan to carve out a "progressive new role" in the Royal Family and intend to "work to become financially independent".The couple, who have a baby son, Archie, said they plan to carve out a "progressive new role" in the Royal Family and intend to "work to become financially independent".
What might their new role be?
Prince Harry and Meghan have plans to launch a new "charitable entity".
Exactly where and exactly what are unclear as the couple have not yet elaborated on how they see their new role.
However, their new charity is expected to be global in reach, with some of the focus likely to be on the US and Africa.
On the pair's first official overseas tour last year with their son, Archie, the Duchess of Sussex told teenage girls in a deprived part of South Africa that she was with them "as a woman of colour and as your sister".
Prince Harry has spoken of his personal love for Africa, describing the continent as a place "where I feel more like myself than anywhere else in the world."
The couple's charity work is also likely to have a commitment to female empowerment, an issue on which Meghan has publicly pledged to "shine a light".
Harry and Meghan took an extended break from royal duties over Christmas, including time spent in the Canadian province of British Columbia.
Their first royal engagement this year was to visit Canada's High Commission in London to thank Canadians in person for the warm welcome they received.
While acting in the US drama Suits, Toronto became an adopted city for Meghan. It is home to her friends, Jessica and Ben Mulroney, the city's "most polished power couple", according to Toronto Life magazine.
It is likely that the family would spend time in Meghan's US homeland too - her mother, Doria Ragland, lives in California.
Her father, Thomas Markle, with whom Meghan has little contact, lives in Mexico.
What's behind the decision?What's behind the decision?
It was reached after many months of reflection and internal discussions, they said. Many months of reflection and internal discussions, they said.
In October, the public got a glimpse into the couple's mindset in an ITV documentary filmed during a tour of Africa.In October, the public got a glimpse into the couple's mindset in an ITV documentary filmed during a tour of Africa.
The Duchess of Sussex admitted adjusting to royal life had been "hard" and she had not been prepared for the intensity of the media scrutiny, despite warnings from her British friends that the tabloids could "destroy" her life.The Duchess of Sussex admitted adjusting to royal life had been "hard" and she had not been prepared for the intensity of the media scrutiny, despite warnings from her British friends that the tabloids could "destroy" her life.
Asked whether she was coping, Meghan, a new mother, said: "I have said for a long time to H - that is what I call him - it's not enough to just survive something, that's not the point of life. You have got to thrive."Asked whether she was coping, Meghan, a new mother, said: "I have said for a long time to H - that is what I call him - it's not enough to just survive something, that's not the point of life. You have got to thrive."
Prince Harry also described his mental health and the way he deals with the pressures of his life as a matter of "constant management".Prince Harry also described his mental health and the way he deals with the pressures of his life as a matter of "constant management".
Following their decision to step back as senior royals, BBC royal correspondent Jonny Dymond said there were "great chunks" of the job that the couple "simply could not stand", while Harry "hated the cameras and was visibly bored by the ceremonial".Following their decision to step back as senior royals, BBC royal correspondent Jonny Dymond said there were "great chunks" of the job that the couple "simply could not stand", while Harry "hated the cameras and was visibly bored by the ceremonial".
Towards the end of last year, Prince Harry said he and Meghan were to take legal action against the Mail on Sunday over a claim it unlawfully published one of her private letters. The paper stands by its story.Towards the end of last year, Prince Harry said he and Meghan were to take legal action against the Mail on Sunday over a claim it unlawfully published one of her private letters. The paper stands by its story.
At the time, an unrestrained Harry said: "I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces."At the time, an unrestrained Harry said: "I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces."
Referring to his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales' sudden death in 1997, he said: "I've seen what happens when someone I love is commoditised to the point that they are no longer treated or seen as a real person."Referring to his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales' sudden death in 1997, he said: "I've seen what happens when someone I love is commoditised to the point that they are no longer treated or seen as a real person."
What has the rest of the Royal Family said? How will they fund their 'new role'?
The BBC understands no other royal, including neither the Queen nor the Prince of Wales, was consulted before the unexpected statement was released on Wednesday evening. The couple have said their ambition is to "work to become financially independent".
A palace spokeswoman told the BBC the Royal Family was "disappointed". They say current rules prohibit them from "earning income in any form" but by taking a step back as senior royals, their new roles could involve having full-time jobs.
She said discussions with the couple were at an early stage.
"We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through," she added.
BBC royal correspondent Jonny Dymond said the lack of consultation was likely to sting.
"This is clearly a major rift between Harry and Meghan on one part, and the rest of the Royal Family on the other," he said.
What will happen next?
The couple say they will split their time between the UK and North America and launch a new "charitable entity".
Exactly where and exactly what are both unclear.
David McClure, author of a book on how royals have made and spent their wealth, said they already have their own money and could make more from TV in future.David McClure, author of a book on how royals have made and spent their wealth, said they already have their own money and could make more from TV in future.
But the cost of employing security staff in two countries would result in "a very big bill for them to pick up personally" and would still require taxpayers' money, he said. Meghan was reportedly paid $50,000 per episode of the TV show Suits. While she is no longer a working actress she will receive some payments whenever the show is rebroadcast.
Over Christmas, Harry and Meghan took an extended break from royal duties, including time spent in the Canadian province of British Columbia. The duke and duchess's expenses - such as living costs, travel, clothing - are currently covered by Harry's father for their role as working royals, representing the Queen.
And their first royal engagement of the year was to visit Canada's High Commission in central London to thank Canadians in person for the warm welcome they received. The Prince of Wales funds his sons and their families with income from the Duchy of Cornwall.
While acting in the US drama Suits, Toronto became an adopted city for Meghan. It is home to her friends, Jessica and Ben Mulroney, the city's "most polished power couple", according to Toronto Life magazine. Historian and royal author Hugo Vickers told the BBC he is unconvinced by the couple's plans.
It's likely the family would spend time in Meghan's homeland too - her mother, Doria Ragland, lives in California. He said "they think they can do all sorts of things together but the fact is that they're very likely if they're not careful to end up as slightly tarnished celebrities, perhaps".
Her father, Thomas Markle, with whom Meghan has little contact, lives in Mexico.
In terms of their work, the duke's focus in recent years has been on conservation in Africa and organising the Invictus Games for injured members of the armed forces. Meghan's growing portfolio has included the National Theatre and charity Smart Works.
What else have they said?What else have they said?
The couple have also updated the section of their website which outlines their attitude to the media.The couple have also updated the section of their website which outlines their attitude to the media.
The duke and duchess said they would be adopting a "revised media approach to ensure diverse and open access of their work" in 2020.The duke and duchess said they would be adopting a "revised media approach to ensure diverse and open access of their work" in 2020.
Included in this new strategy, Harry and Meghan said they would "engage with grassroots media organisations and young, up-and-coming journalists".Included in this new strategy, Harry and Meghan said they would "engage with grassroots media organisations and young, up-and-coming journalists".
They will also pull out of the so-called royal rota system, where journalists and media representatives are given exclusive passes to cover royal engagements on the understanding they share all the material they gather.They will also pull out of the so-called royal rota system, where journalists and media representatives are given exclusive passes to cover royal engagements on the understanding they share all the material they gather.
"The current system predates the dramatic transformation of news reporting in the digital age," the couple said in a statement on their website."The current system predates the dramatic transformation of news reporting in the digital age," the couple said in a statement on their website.
Under a heading asking what Harry and Meghan's stance is on the media in general, the couple said they believe in a "free, strong and open media" which "upholds accuracy and fosters inclusivity, diversity and tolerance".Under a heading asking what Harry and Meghan's stance is on the media in general, the couple said they believe in a "free, strong and open media" which "upholds accuracy and fosters inclusivity, diversity and tolerance".
"Their Royal Highnesses recognise that their roles as members of the Royal Family are subject to interest, and they welcome accurate and honest media reporting as well as being held to account if appropriate. Equally, like every member of society, they also value privacy as individuals and as a family.""Their Royal Highnesses recognise that their roles as members of the Royal Family are subject to interest, and they welcome accurate and honest media reporting as well as being held to account if appropriate. Equally, like every member of society, they also value privacy as individuals and as a family."
The couple said they would continue to use social media, including their Instagram account which has 10.1m followers, to "personally share moments in their lives directly with members of the public".The couple said they would continue to use social media, including their Instagram account which has 10.1m followers, to "personally share moments in their lives directly with members of the public".