Prince Harry and Meghan announce step back from senior royal duties

On 8 January 2020, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, announced on Instagram that they would step back from their roles as senior members of the royal family. They said they intended to become financially independent and to split their time between the United Kingdom and North America, while continuing to support Queen Elizabeth II.

The announcement surprised Buckingham Palace, which said discussions with the couple were at an early stage and described the issues as complicated. Days later, the Queen and senior royals agreed a transition period at a family meeting at Sandringham, her Norfolk estate.

The move marked one of the most significant ruptures in the modern monarchy. The couple gave up their use of "royal highness" styles and public funding, and the arrangement took effect in spring 2020. They later settled in California, where Harry went on to take on commercial roles, including work in the coaching and mental health sector, which is the background to his later career moves.