The Queen has released a statement following the Sandringham Summit, in which she says she is supportive of the Duke & Duchess of Sussex, although she would have preferred them to stay as senior royals.
Her Majesty says that there will be a transition period in which the Sussexes will spend time in both Canada and the UK.
She adds that discussions within the Royal Family will continue in the coming days.
The Queen’s statement in full:
“Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family.
“My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.
“Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives.
“It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK.
“These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days.”
The Queen summoned the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex to Sandringham for the summit to discuss the future roles of the Duke & Duchess of Sussex in the family.
It is understood that the Duchess dialled-in to the meeting from Canada.
Prince Charles, Prince William & Prince Harry left Sandringham House separately at around 4:30pm.
The Queen summoned her son and two grandchildren to Norfolk for the crisis meeting which she chaired.
The unprecedented summit saw the most senior members of The Royal Family discuss the Duke & Duchess of Sussex’s future in the family.
The meeting marked the first time that Prince Harry has spoken to his family face-to-face since making the shock announcement last week that he and his wife would be stepping down as senior royals.
