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LAST UPDATE | 8 Jan 2020
PRINCE HARRY AND Meghan Markle have announced they are stepping back as senior members of the royal family but neither The Queen nor the Prince of Wales were told about it, it has emerged.
It is understood Harry and Meghan had just begun talks with the Queen and Charles about their future roles when they made their decision to go public.
The head of state and her son were only recently informed of the Sussexes intention to explore their public positions as members of the monarchy, and were not aware a statement was going to be issued this evening.
The pair are planning to split their time between the UK and North America once they remove themselves from the frontline royal duties.
“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution,” the couple said in a post on Instagram this evening.
“We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty the Queen.
“It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment. We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour out duty the The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages.”
The pair said that the decision was taken in the interest of their child.
“This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity,” they wrote.
“We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties.
“Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support.”
In a statement this evening, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “Discussions with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage.
“We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through.”
It is understood that the Queen and the Prince of Wales were not aware of the content of Harry and Meghan’s bombshell personal statement before it was issued.
The mood at Buckingham Palace is understood to be one of disappointment while the BBC has reported that senior royals have been “hurt” by the announcement.
The sequence of events is likely to lead commentators to speculate whether a rift has developed at the heart of the monarchy.
The move comes after speculation that Prince Harry and brother Will had distanced themselves from each other following reports of a feud.
On Tuesday, the royal couple returned to normal duties after a family break in Canada.
With reporting from PA
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He looks like Rolf Harris
Ha ha, never eating KFC again,
And one more thing, IMO why they don’t sell curry sauce is beyond me, that gravy is a poor substitute for curry with ur chicken
Paul, You beautiful man, you’re completely correct.
Their food is nasty anyway like, but the lack of curry sauce is unforgivable.
Their gravy was often the only reason for going there. I recall many the time going to KFC and coming out with fingers burned like they were in a hot bath full of chicken, half cooked fries and MSG…. mmm…
I only tell you one time. Don’t fcuk me Eric……. don’t you ever try to fcuk me!
Buzz off bozo the kfc gravy is nice !
Denis o brien wins again, and gets a gagging order against any reporting of his corruption……….discusss
No. But do you like kfc?
DojiFone Denis has more spicy state secrets up his sleeves than Colonel Rolf has had chicken dinners!!
Looks a bit like Rolf Harris
Id consider going to KFC again if they place was clean & the chicken was hot!
Or if they started having nice food
A fella was telling me that his son had his head wrecked to take him to McDonalds so he told him “if you can spell McDonalds ill take ye” so the young fella said ” ah fu.k it we’ll go to KFC
Hillbillys in Cork after a feed of pints.Nothing KFC has to offer even comes close.
I’ve been to the Hillbillys in Fairview a few times. Decent stuff.
And they have curry sauce.
If I want to wrap my mouth around breasts, legs & thighs, I’ll have a night in. Cheers Colonel.
So how you getting on since ya moved back in with your ma?
Good now. Your sis feels right at home too.
I dont have any sisters… but I have a fat brother, could be him?
Eat it in bray a few years ago and never again it was awful
Have to agree…absolutely revolting it was.However,you should try the one in blanch,it’s a bit better.
I hate parking in the retail carpark beside kfc. The smell is nice for about 2 seconds and then fell sick from the smell.
Hope you didn’t hit your head when you fell .
Anytime I go to McDonald’s its packed dont see it slowing down
Its nigella they need not a Rolf Harris lookalike.
The food gives you ebola side effects
No taco fries, no business.
I genuinely read that headline as “KFC is bringing back chicken” haha then I thought, that will never happen
That’s definitely Ronan Collins…….
Tiny little chickens killed, plucked, covered in spicy batter and crumbs and deliciously gobbled up.
Or chickens with no eyes or feathers being genetically processed in a lab, there’s a few documentaries about it. Horrid stuff
Is it really wise to use someone who looks like a white plantation owner from over a century ago to promote chicken in a basket (or is modern alternative)?
All that’s missing is the salty melon balls!
Best of them, all unhealthy but KFC is the best tasting, some of their outlets need a good cleaning, the operators need to be better supervised by KVC, I walked out of Bundoron last year because it was not near clean, I have always found Athlone great
The one in Carrick-on-Shannon is the best I’ve seen. Spotless, and the girl there remembered my order as I passed though (for work) every few days.
They kept him alive with 11 secret herbs and spices
Everythg in bray Is shttttt mc Donald’s Eddie spocrketts it’s un believable shtt
Go to Dundrum taste like the ritz
He’s looking alright for a man that was on ice for 20 years
They can resurrect the messiah for all I care. I still will never eat in that kip
Hillbillys pisses all over KFC… All der missing from der menu is the hot wings an unlike KFC they’re nearly too generous with the chips.. New one on Walkinstown roundabout is tops
He won’t be around long with a cough like that
HACCP comes to mind then, extra flavouring?
That’s one of the worst ads I’ve ever seen, worse than McD’s new Hamburglar. That eejit playing the Colonel gave me the creeps.
Looks like a creepy Rolf Harris
Eric fail KFC
Wasn’t he an awful racist?
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