Prince Harry and Meghan's 'bombshell' departure explained

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have announced plans to step back as senior royals, earn their own money and still support the Queen with royal duties.

The Guardian's Caroline Davies examines what this actually means, the motivation for Prince Harry and Meghan and the issues around the young couple's desire to be 'financially independent'

[allnamesaretaken]

They can do whatever they want as long as taxpayers aren't funding it.

[rosebud]

If they want to be independent that’s okay but they can’t have it both ways. If they don’t want to do the job the Queen and British public expects, then quit and become private citizens. Remove their royal titles and cut off all taxpayer funding. They should not be able to make money off the royal brand either. It is not theirs to sell.

[porterjeronimo]

Royal Familiy acting like mafia when someone want to quit!

[gawill]

Why is the nonce Andrew in the clip as he needs to go most definitely!

[ergunyildizoglu]

" I do not want to be part of people anymore who killed my mother." Prince Harry ....

[wkb]

Diana got out now her son if off too. Too be brutally honest, who cares.

[engorgioarmani]

How will they make money? Meghan will return as an actress, Harry will sell books, interviews about his mom and the royal family and make fortune out of it.

[ingevanderheijden]

They are humans (and adults!) and should be free to live the way they like. Poor Meghan gets so much hate for no reason at all... People should not comment on others lives, especially not in such a harmful way.

[skydive]

Totally understand their decision! He’s seen his dad gone down the tubes, his mother killed due no fault of their own. His uncle is now being destroyed publicly. He’s served his country in harms way (which not all Brits can say). So total respect for taking control of their lives!

[KitchenFoyle]

We’ve already had it explained to us. Along with his beloved and without warning, he gave the Queen, his father, his brother and the rest of us the finger and said, ‘We’re off, sod the lot of you!’

[NLHester]

I think the couple saw their opportunity to step back as royals, after Prince Andrew resigned last year and the Queen released him from his Royal duties. Their reasons might differ (a lot) but it can be done..

[johnfisher]

I take it that they'll be paying the taxpayer back the £32 Million that was spent on their wedding then.

[strokemxclassics]

Not be long before harry and megan bring there brand of clothing onto the market😭

[AK-eulj]

How come no one is talking about Andrew anymore, surely that's more important than this.

[paulhoskin]

He could work on the tills in a supermarket

[mollie]

OMG!! Can no one see that this has been her plan from the beginning?? In the UK she cannot be famous because of Royal protocol. She's virtually a low placed royal. However, a Duchess/Prince living in the USA will be sucked up and they'll be treated like top Royals with VIP status. USA cannot get enough of Royals. Ms Markle is an actress. Actors like attention. She can't bear living in Will and Kate's shadow. So she wants to eliminate the competition and needs all eyes on her and adoration from America. She'll be opening events, giving tv interviews and going to the opening of an envelope at every opportunity. They should be stripped of their HRH and Duke/ Duchess titles and any perks from the public funded aspects of being a royal. Harry will always be a prince by birth but she should be stripped of being a royal princess. Take away her status. Otherwise, if she wants to live in the USA, see how long it takes for the media attention and VIP status to start. She'll not be moaning about intrusion then. I'll put money on it!!

[lilims]

They’d make thousands just doing interviews and motivational speeches

[jojoa]

I think they have every right to live life however they wish so long as they are not harming anyone, which they aren’t.

[kalibeltkalibelt]

Will Megan and Harry have to pay taxes too.

[nevorchi]

People are so mad about two individuals wanting control over their own lives. It's pretty disgusting honestly.

I'd step down myself if I had asshats like this in my lifes business too.

Live and let live.