14 January 2024 , 08:17
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle "regretted" their decision to release a bombshell statement when they stepped down from the Royal Family as it "blindsided" Queen Elizabeth II.
The explosive announcement, which was made back in 2020, sent shockwaves around the world as they admitted the decision had been coming for "many months". While the Duke and Duchess of Sussex insisted they would be carving out a new role within The Firm, the statement is believed to have caught some royals off guard.
The late Queen called an urgent family meeting to discuss the situation before releasing a rare statement. "Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much-loved members of my family," she said and acknowledged the pressures they had faced in the Royal Family.
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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry 'blindsided' the late Queen Elizabeth (Getty Images)After her statement, Harry reportedly realised he had "blindsided" his grandmother with his bombshell announcement and regretted his decision. A source told The Telegraph at the time: "I don't think he fully appreciated the impact the statement would have in terms of them not consulting the Queen. He regrets that."
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When the Sussexes stepped down from the Royal Family, they said they wanted to become "financially independent". In a statement, the couple said: "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." In the years since Meghan and Harry left The Firm, they've had some very eventful moments.
A lot has happened since the Sussexes quit The Firm (Getty Images)They made headlines around the world when they released their dramatic Netflix docuseries, Harry & Meghan. In the show, they made a series of explosive claims about their time in the Royal Family.
Harry detailed the breakdown of his relationship with his brother Prince William and claimed he left him terrified after he screamed and shouted at him during the Sandringham summit. Harry alleged members of Kensington Palace had then "lied to protect my brother". The Duke of Sussex also took aim at his dad, King Charles and discussed the tense Megxit crisis meeting held with the Queen in January 2020.
Despite mixed reviews, Harry and Meghan's documentary broke streaming records as it became the biggest Netflix documentary debut, with a total 81.6 million hours watched on its first four days of release. The Duke of Sussex then sparked further controversy with the release of his debut memoir, Spare.
Meghan and Harry have also signed a number of exclusive deals since stepping back from The Firm, including a $112million (£88,000) partnership with Spotify. They also have a four-book deal with publisher Penguin Random House.