Global InformationMegxit information
On 8 January 2020, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, announced on Instagram[1][2][3][4][5] their decision to "step back as 'senior' members" of the British royal family,[6] split their time between the United Kingdom and North America, become financially independent, and only represent the monarchy on a reduced basis.[7] This was dubbed Megxit, a portmanteau of the words "Meghan" and "exit" and a play on the term Brexit,[8] and adopted globally on mainstream and social media,[9][10] spawning various Internet memes[11] and "Megxit" merchandising.[12][13][14]
The announcement of their decision led to a meeting of the royal family on 13 January, dubbed the "Sandringham Summit" and described as "unprecedented".[15][16][17] Queen Elizabeth II issued a rare personal statement on her family,[18][19][20] and was praised for her rapid handling of the matter.[20][21][15] On 18 January, an agreement was announced whereby the couple, while still valued members would "no longer be working members of Britain's royal family", and would not use their "Royal Highness" styles.[22]
The outcome was described as a "hard Megxit", as their offer of occasional work for the monarchy was refused.[23][24][25] Collins English Dictionary added "Megxit" to its online edition as a top-ten Word of 2020.[26] A twelve-month review period was allowed in case the couple changed their minds. On 19 February 2021, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the Duke and Duchess would relinquish their royal patronages, as they were not returning as working members of the royal family.[27][28][29] The couple's announcement of their decision came to signify the break by the couple from the royal family and its protocol,[30] and their plans for independence under their new brand, then tentatively named Sussex Royal.[31][1][2] In November 2021, Harry described "Megxit" as a misogynistic term aimed at Meghan.[32]
- ^ a b Booth, William; Adam, Kate (9 January 2020). "Harry and Meghan aim to 'step back' as senior royals and split time between Britain and North America". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 9 January 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
- ^ a b Landler, Mark (9 January 2020). "Going Rogue: Prince Harry and Meghan Caught the Palace Off Guard". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 14 January 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
- ^ Dymond, Jonny (19 January 2020). "Harry and Meghan drop royal duties and HRH titles". BBC News. Archived from the original on 18 January 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
WP1was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ McGee, Zoe (19 October 2020). "New royal tell-all reveals alleged origins of rift between Princes William and Harry". ABC News. Archived from the original on 2 November 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
SR1was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Ng, Kate (9 January 2020). "'What are Harry and Meghan thinking?': How the world's newspapers reported Sussexes stepping back from royal family". The Independent. Archived from the original on 9 January 2020. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
- ^ Deacon, Michael (11 January 2020). "Why Brexiteers should get behind Megxit". Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 11 January 2020. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
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Guar5was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
WSJ4was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Pavia, Lucy (10 January 2020). "The best Megxit memes and jokes reacting to Meghan and Harry's news". The Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 10 January 2020. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
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IT5was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Matthews, Riah (7 December 2020). "Meghan and Harry's 'Megxit review' could see them stripped of titles". News.com.au. Archived from the original on 11 December 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
- ^ "SPRING 2020 TRANSITION". Sussex Royal. Archived from the original on 10 March 2020. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
- ^ "Buckingham Palace statement on The Duke and Duchess of Sussex". The Royal Family. 19 February 2021. Archived from the original on 14 February 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
CJRwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
NYT4was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Prince Harry says 'Megxit' is a misogynistic term aimed at his wife Meghan". The Guardian. 10 November 2021. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.