The late Queen had a heartbreaking response to Meghan and Harry’s statement (Image: GETTY)
issued a heartbreaking response to and ‘s decision to quit royal duties on January 8, 2020.
Today marks five years since the date and although Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022, the late monarch’s response to the couple’s decision will forever be remembered.
Sending shockwaves across the world on this day in 2020, Meghan and Harry announced their news via their joint account.
Following the news, the late Queen called an urgent family meeting, now known as the , to discuss the situation surrounding Meghan and Harry.
After the meeting had taken place, Queen saying: “Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much-loved members of my family.”
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Harry and Meghan now live in California with their children (Image: GETTY)
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Harry’s feelings towards his late grandmother’s statement has since been released, with the 40-year-old said to have felt “blindsided” by it.
According to , a source said at the time: “I don’t think he fully appreciated the impact the statement would have in terms of them not consulting the Queen. He regrets that.”
In October 2024, released the paperback edition of his memoir Spare. Although it was a new edition, the copy remained the same – and no extra chapters were added.
Within hours of the 2025, made a surprise return to on New Year’s Day. Following a reel on January 1, the 43-year-old revealed her latest project in their multi-million-pound deal with – her new cooking and lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan.
The couple, who moved to the US shortly after stepping down as senior working royals, now reside in Montecito, California with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.