Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Announce They're Stepping Away From The British Monarchy

Following a break from their royal duties during the holiday season, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle released an official statement on their Instagram page today announcing that they would be stepping back as "senior members of the royal family" and plan to divide their time between North American and the United Kingdom.

Despite rumors of a possible move to Canada, many were shocked to hear that they would be leaving their current roles within the British Monarchy completely. While their post promises more information to be provided soon, the royal couple's decision was mostly celebrated on Twitter by many who couldn't wait to meme about the breaking news.

 
Some pictured how their departure would go.

 
Canadians expressed their excitement about their new neighbors.

 
Others were motivated to channel the couple's energy.

 
Of course Meghan Markle's time at Deal or No Deal was mentioned.

 
Several users defended the Duke and Duchess' choice to leave the UK.

 
Similarities between Harry's wife and his mother, Princess Diana, were made.

 
And of course we received some jokes about Suits and The Crown.

 
Mostly because some users think Meghan will now play herself in a future season.

 
We can't wait for the first photo of Meghan Markle and Yoko Ono.

 
Of course many couldn't help but touch on how messy the couple's relationship with the British press had been.

 
And how the British press seemingly found fault with mostly everything they ever did.

 
If anything, they were just doing what the press requested.

 
Some even thought this was the plot of a Hallmark film.

 
Of course, negative feedback was also provided on Twitter.

 
Especially in regard to the amount of taxes spent on their new home they restored last year.

 
The home they now look to be financially independent of, according to their Instagram post.

"As we work towards being financially independent" said Harry and Meghan from their cottage…#HarryandMeghan pic.twitter.com/B5u73EYWuT

— Derek Fallon (@Derekfallon) January 8, 2020

 
And while their Instagram post stated they were in search of a more progressive role, one user pointed out how Kate Middleton had already modernized the monarchy.

Honestly the only millennial Royal who "carved out a new progressive role within this institution" is Kate Middleton who, when she was pregnant, got the Queen to change the rule about the line of succession to allow a firstborn daughter to be Queen (if George had been a girl).

— Liz Wheeler (@Liz_Wheeler) January 8, 2020

 
Surely we expect to hear what their next moves are soon, but some things remain a mystery.

Presumably Harry and Meghan becoming “financially independent” of the Royal Family doesn’t involve them using the Royal titles they trademarked last month to sell merchandise? #HarryandMeghan pic.twitter.com/15S01t9mQJ

— Joe Armitage (@joe_armitage) January 8, 2020

 
For example, what will Prince Harry choose as his last name?

How's Harry going to get a real job without a last name though? #Megxit pic.twitter.com/wx84j2xmxF

— Jeremy Dickey (@JeremyDDickey) January 8, 2020

 
Following the couple's announcement, Queen Elizabeth II released her own official statement leading to more confusion.

The Royal Family acting like Meghan and Harry broke up with them via text: pic.twitter.com/Dto010AtB7

— Michael Tannenbaum (@iamTannenbaum) January 8, 2020

One thing is for sure, 2020 continues to be extremely interesting.