Queen agrees to let Prince Harry and Megan have independent lives

At a talk chaired by the Queen herself, the summit of senior royals “agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will spend time in Canada and the UK.”

The Queen, later in a statement, termed the talks as "constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family."

Meghan, who earlier returned to Canada to be with her child Archie, joined the talks over the phone.

“My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family,″ the queen said in a statement.

“Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family,″ she added.

The queen stated that Prince Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives.

"It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK. These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days," she said.

The talks come days after, Prince Harry and Megan in their recent announcement, said they want to work to become financially independent.

Palace sources told BBC that the couple did not consult any other royal about making their personal statement, following which there was a crisis situation in the family.

"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," read the statement.

"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 our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages," it had said.

"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," read the statement.

Read full Statement of the Queen below: 

Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family.

My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.

Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives.

It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK.

These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days.

Image Credit: The Royal Family Official Website