Meghan Markle seen ‘without her wedding ring’ hours before bombshell exit from Royal Family
MEGHAN Markle was pictured apparently without her wedding band just hours before she and Prince Harry announced they were leaving the Royal Family.
The Duchess of Sussex visited The National's Dorfman Theatre in London - where she is a patron - after returning to duties yesterday.
The Duchess of Sussex and her husband, 35, took a six-week break in Canada at the end of last year.
After visiting the theatre, Meghan was joined by Prince Harry as they visited the High Commission of Canada to say a public thank you for the country's hospitality.
The pair appeared close as they held hands and laughed and joked with staff during the visit.
Just hours later, the couple revealed they will quit as senior royals and split their time between North America, where the holidayed, and the UK.
A pal told The Sun: "It is true that Harry and Meghan will spend a fair amount of time in Canada over the next couple of months and possibly going forward too.
“Right now they are starting talks with their family about their plans for the future. Those conversations are at a very early stage.
“There is a very careful and serious process to go through which they are going to respect.
“But it is clear they are on a different and unique path, and they are very much thinking about what the future looks like for them.”
What we know so far:
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to quit as senior royals
- The bombshell announcement came reportedly after no other royals were consulted
- Piers Morgan rips into the Duchess online after 'splitting Harry from royals'
- The Queen is said to be 'disappointed' at the statement
- The couple plan to live in both North America and the UK with their son Archie
- They want to be 'financially independent' but will still support the Queen
- Princes Charles and William are 'incandescent with rage' at the news
Canada has replaced an African state as the number one option for the couple to make their semi-permanent base outside of the UK.
Buckingham Palace admitted discussions with the couple will be "complicated" as they "carve out" their new roles away from the Royal Family.
The pair posted on Instagram they plan to "step back" from royal duties and split their time between Britain and North America - with Canada expected to be their second home.
The couple say they will be "financially independent" in their new lives, but will still support the Queen.
Piers Morgan slammed the Sussexes' announcement, tweeting: "Wow. What a disgraceful way to treat the Queen. Shame on Harry and Meghan."
He added: "Buckingham Palace says 'it's complicated'. Translation: the Queen's bloody furious."
The Duke and Duchess, 38, said in their surprise statement this evening: “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.
"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.
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"We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages.
"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.
"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.”
