‘Total disaster’: World reacts to royal split

As Prince Harry and Meghan announced the details of their split from the royal family, the world reacted with everything from anger to relief for the scrutinised couple.

The news of the royal divorce has spread near and far, with royal editors across the globe discussing the pros and cons of Harry and Meghan’s big move.

In a statement released early this morning, the Queen said she hoped that “today’s agreement allows them to start building a happy and peaceful new life”.

“I recognise the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life,” she added.

In a separate statement, Buckingham Palace announced the couple would no longer use their royal titles and would not receive public money for royal duties.

Royal editor for Harper’s Bazaar US Omid Scobie said a source revealed: “This new chapter will finally provide the freedom (and change) that Harry and Meghan need to thrive and be happy.”
 

As a source pointed out to me, this new chapter will finally provide the freedom (and change) that Harry and Meghan need to thrive and be happy. And isn’t that the most important thing? Hats off to them for taking control of their lives. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next!

— Omid Scobie (@scobie) January 19, 2020

The couple will no longer represent the royal family on official duties including military duties and “wish” to repay the $4.5 million of taxpayer money they used to refurbish Frogmore Cottage. However the property will remain their home while in the UK.

The new changes will come into effect in the northern spring.

British politician and leader of the Brexit Party Nigel Farage tweeted: “It is best for all that Harry and Meghan stop using HRH and leave with a clean break. Half in, half out would have been a total disaster.”

Harry is not King (he is sixth in line) but tonight this feels like his and Meghan’s own abdication.
This isn’t 1936.
But it’s still pretty big.#HarryandMeghan pic.twitter.com/SBja6TQlaK

— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) January 18, 2020

In the couple of hours since the royals announced the details of the colloquially named “Megxit”, the world was already reacting.

At 8.30am AEST “Meghan” and “Royal Family” were the top trends on Twitter.

Mashable tweeted the news with a simple line: “They’re free”, meanwhile Bloomberg posted: “Prince Harry is no longer His Royal Highness”.

CNN said: “Prince Harry and Meghan are no longer working members of the royal family.”

Meghan and Harry are on their way to a new life, the press is losing one of their favorite targets, and the Queen is royally peeved. pic.twitter.com/4kv1DGy1oE

— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) January 18, 2020

Newspaper front pages are yet to come, with the royals announcing the details just before 8pm Saturday night local time.

The BBC’s royal correspondent Jonny Dymond said it was “harder to think of a much cleaner break”.

“The early talk was of a much more mixed life — one where perhaps Harry and Meghan continued with some royal duties, dividing their time equally between the UK and Canada,” Mr Dymond said.

“But the contradictions and conflicts of interest were too many. There are still lots of details to thrash out and the whole thing will be reviewed after a year.

“But a new life awaits Harry and Meghan — celebrities, certainly, but a different kind of royalty.”
 

Sky News’ royal commentator Alastair Bruce said despite the statement seeming warm, the Queen had “brought down the iron fist”.

“This was turning into an enormous distraction and this is a seismic announcement from the Queen,” he said.

“It’s still very warm on the pastoral side of affection from a grandmother to her grandson and her great-grandson and granddaughter-in-law, but at the same time she has brought down the iron fist of monarchical leadership on a problem that needed to be solved.”

Others are taking to social media to comment — some expressing a sigh of relief for the couple.

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