Reactions to Meghan Markle & Prince Harry Resigning From the Royal Family

(Image credit: Karwai Tang)

published 9 January 2020

In a shocking, if not entirely unsurprising, decision, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced on Wednesday that they are effectively quitting the royal family. In a statement, the duo—who had just returned from a six-week break spent on Vancouver Island, away from the cutthroat U.K. press—said: "We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent."

While the couple had made clear that they were unhappy—"Not many people have asked if I’m okay," Meghan had said tearfully in new documentary Harry and Meghan: An African Journey, and Harry and William had publicly fallen out—the news is still unprecedented. "Feels pretty damaging to the whole ethos and purpose of the royal family if you can just, like, quit being part of it," commented BuzzFeed reporter Rosie Gray.

And Twitter, of course, had a lot to say about the decision.

There were some great jokes.

The only way for Prince William to compete with this is to start wearing a wigJanuary 8, 2020

Meghan finally got around to watching “Get Out” over the holidays. https://t.co/f82PQU2hVyJanuary 8, 2020

i am also working to become financially independentJanuary 8, 2020

Northwestern graduate moving closer to home after spending time abroad https://t.co/TZ18eIOXdQJanuary 8, 2020

This is my FAVORITE heist. The woman straight up stole a prince. Incredible. ✨January 8, 2020

Here’s the actual note Meghan left on the Queen’s desk. pic.twitter.com/m58NibXhQEJanuary 8, 2020

People flocked to support the newly independent family.

We stan a financially independent woman who looks out for herself, her family, and her mental and emotional health!! pic.twitter.com/Ug38cWdT0ZJanuary 8, 2020

All Americans rn re: Meghan Markle and Harry pic.twitter.com/MRidrfx3GYJanuary 8, 2020

There were questions about whether Meghan would return to acting.

And questions about their new status.

MAKE IT HARRY MARKLE AS IT SHOULD BE https://t.co/K9MixDgrVHJanuary 8, 2020

Many people (rightly) blamed the British tabloids.

Good for Meghan and Harry opting out of the UK tabloids staggering racism and the lack of support from the royal family. They will be fine.January 8, 2020

Daily Mail:Meghan you avocado eating bitch you are FUELING MURDERDaily Mail tomorrow:Why are you leaving, you were the people’s prince and princess-January 8, 2020

People think Diana would be proud.

All I can say is Princess Diana and Doria Ragland raised their children with immense love and good values, and it shows.#REXIT#MeghanAndHarry pic.twitter.com/1j0sqMkL6pJanuary 8, 2020

princess diana in heaven right now https://t.co/nbN8sfZ65dJanuary 8, 2020

Also? This is going to be a great plotline in The Crown.

Can't wait for season 6 of The Crown, in which Meghan could play herself.January 8, 2020

writers for The Crown vs. writers for Suits pic.twitter.com/nJavWHpr8WJanuary 8, 2020

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Meghan and Harry Step Down From Royal Family

Jenny is the Director of Content Strategy at Marie Claire. Originally from London, she moved to New York in 2012 to attend the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism and never left. Prior to Marie Claire, she spent five years at Bustle building out its news and politics coverage. She loves, in order: her dog, goldfish crackers, and arguing about why umbrellas are fundamentally useless. Her first novel, EVERYONE WHO CAN FORGIVE ME IS DEAD, will be published by Minotaur Books in 2024.