

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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Jenny is the Digital Director 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 on February 6, 2024.
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