What’s next for the U.K.?
A British perspective on “Megxit”
On Jan. 8, Prince Harry and his wife, Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle, shocked the rest of the British monarchy and their country by announcing their plans to “step back” from their duties as senior members of the Royal Family.
In an official statement from Buckingham Palace on Jan. 18, this means that the couple will no longer receive taxpayer funds, will lose their “Royal Highness” titles and be removed from “all royal duties,” which include military appointments.
This new model will take effect in the spring, though an official date has not yet been set.
According to the Queen’s statement, “It has been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which [Meghan and Harry] will spend time in Canada and the U.K.” The couple plans to keep the state-owned Frogmore Cottage as a U.K. family home, but they intend to repay the £2.4 million of taxpayers’ money that was used to refurbish it.
This news was a bombshell, harkening back to the last major royal eruption in 1936, when Edward VIII abdicated the throne to marry the American twice-divorcee, Wallis Simpson.
The British tabloids have had a field day. But what does the average British citizen think about all of the drama?
I spoke to family and friends from across the U.K. to find out. Check out the slideshow below to read up on their perspectives on the split, what might have caused it and how it will affect their country.
