Megxit

1
 ”TRAIAN” NATIONAL COLLEGE
Drobeta-Turnu-Severin

ENGLISH ATESTAT PAPER

Megxit

Student: Coordinator:
LUNGU RADU-MIHAI IORDACHE MIHAELA
XE

2
 Table of Contents
Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................... 3
Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 4
Chapter 1 ............................................................................................................................................ 5
1.1 The announcement ....................................................................................................................... 5
1.2 Motivations................................................................................................................................... 5
Chapter 2 ............................................................................................................................................ 7
Blibliography....................................................................................................................................... 9

3
 Introduction

On 8 January 2020, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex,
announced on Instagram their decision to "step back as 'senior' members" of the British royal
family, splitting their time between the United Kingdom and North America, and to become
financially independent. The event was named as "Megxit" and it adopted globally on news
and social media.

I chose this to write about this event because I have always been a fan of the Royal
Family. I get to watch all the events and interviews they do. I also felt that Meghan and Harry
made a decision that helped both. They did what they felt and did not listen to the rumors.

In the end, what matters is that they are happy with their decision and have a healthy
child. Harry, Meghan and their son Archie are now holed up close to Hollywood where they
have a large support network of friends and family. Meghan wants to continue her career as
an actress there and it is a big opportunity for her.

4
 Chapter 1

1.1 The announcement

On Wednesday, 8 January 2020, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess
of Sussex, made an announcement on their Instagram account of their intention to "step back
as 'senior' members of the Royal Family". The post contained a link to a new website
sussexroyal.com, that provided further statements regarding the decision. It was widely
reported that few – if any – of the Royal Family had approved or had prior knowledge of the
impending announcement, and the Palace issued an immediate statement saying: "Discussions
with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage".

While there appeared to have been months of conversations about the couple's future
within the British monarchy, The Washington Post reported that the couple's surprise
announcement was made as a result of a leak to The Sun newspaper of the likely outcome of
these discussions.

1.2 Motivations
Immediately after the announcement, ITV News at Ten's Tom Bradby, who had
interviewed the couple a number of times during their October 2019 tour in Africa, was
quoted in several sources as saying that the Sussexes were told during their six-week
Christmas break at Vancouver Island in Canada that they would not be part of a "slimmed
down monarchy" and that they were in effect being "driven out".According to The
Washington Post, the royal biographer Robert Lacey stated that Prince Charles had advocated
a smaller working monarchy.

5
 In addition to Bradby's statements, other reasons raised included ongoing hostile
treatment of the couple by some in the British tabloid press, and issues of perceived racism
towards Meghan.

On 19 January 2020, after the final agreement, Prince Harry said in a speech,
The decision that I have made for my wife and I to step back is not one I made lightly. It was
so many months of talks after so many years of challenges ... there really was no other option.
... I’ve accepted this, knowing that it doesn’t change who I am or how committed I am. But I
hope that helps you understand what it had to come to, that I would step my family back from
all I have ever known to take a step forward into what I hope can be a more peaceful life.

According to the BBC News royal correspondent Jonny Dymond, the speech sought to
dispel what Dymond called the "Meghan myth", being "the idea that the Duchess of Sussex is
at the root of the couple's desire to lead a different life". The Guardian reported that in the
speech, Prince Harry appeared to "lay the blame at the feet of the press", calling the media "a
powerful force".

6
 Chapter 2

Spring 2020 Transition

We are pleased to now be able to share with you an update on many of the details
agreed at a meeting of The Royal Family in January 2020, which outlines The Duke and
Duchess of Sussex’s new roles, taking effect Spring 2020. We had hoped to be allowed to
share these details with you sooner (to mitigate any confusion and subsequent misreporting),
but the facts below should help provide some clarification around this transition and the steps
for the future, they added on the official sussex royal website.

AS AGREED AND SET OU T IN JANUARY 2020:

 It is agreed that the commencement of the revised role of The Duke and Duchess of
Sussex will take effect Spring 2020 and undergo a 12-month review.
 The Royal Family respect and understand the wish of The Duke and Duchess of
Sussex to live a more independent life as a family, by removing the supposed ‘public
interest’ justification for media intrusion into their lives. They remain a valued part of
Her Majesty’s family.
 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will become privately funded members of The
Royal Family with permission to earn their own income and the ability to pursue their
own private charitable interests.
 The preference of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex was to continue to represent and
support Her Majesty The Queen albeit in a more limited capacity, while not drawing
on the Sovereign Grant.
 While there is precedent for other titled members of the Royal Family to seek
employment outside of the institution, for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, a 12-
month review period has been put in place.
 Per the agreement The Duke and Duchess of Sussex understand that they are required
to step back from Royal duties and not undertake representative duties on behalf of
Her Majesty The Queen.
 As agreed and set out in January, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will retain their
“HRH” prefix, thereby formally remaining known as His Royal Highness The Duke of
Sussex and Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex. The Duke and Duchess of
Sussex will no longer actively use their HRH titles as they will no longer be working
members of the family as of Spring 2020.
 As the grandson of Her Majesty and second son of The Prince of Wales, Prince Harry,
The Duke of Sussex remains sixth in line to the throne of The British Monarchy
and the Order of Precedence is unchanged.
 It was agreed that The Duke and Duchess will no longer be able to formally carry out
‘official duties’ for The Queen or represent The Commonwealth, but they will,

7
 however, be allowed to maintain their patronages (including those that are classified
as ‘royal’ patronages).
 It is agreed that The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will continue to require effective
security to protect them and their son. This is based on The Duke’s public profile by
virtue of being born into The Royal Family, his military service, the Duchess’ own
independent profile, and the shared threat and risk level documented specifically over
the last few years. No further details can be shared as this is classified information for
safety reasons.

 In relation to the military, The Duke of Sussex will retain the rank of Major, and
honorary ranks of Lieutenant Commander, and Squadron Leader. During this 12-
month period of review, The Duke’s official military appointments will not be used as
they are in the gift of the Sovereign. No new appointments will be made to fill these
roles before the 12-month review of the new arrangements is completed.

 While per the agreement, The Duke will not perform any official duties associated
with these roles, given his dedication to the military community and ten years of
service he will of course continue his unwavering support to the military
community in a non-official capacity. As founder of the Invictus Games, The Duke
will proudly continue supporting the military community around the world through the
Invictus Games Foundation and The Endeavour Fund.
 Based on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s desire to have a reduced role as members
of The Royal Family, it was decided in January that their Institutional Office would
have to be closed, given the primary funding mechanism for this official office at
Buckingham Palace is from HRH The Prince of Wales. The Duke and Duchess shared
this news with their team personally in January once they knew of the decision, and
have worked closely with their staff to ensure a smooth transition for each of them.
 Over the last month and a half, The Duke and Duchess have remained actively
involved in this process, which has understandably been saddening for The Duke and
Duchess and their loyal staff, given the closeness of Their Royal Highnesses and their
dedicated team.

 As The Duke and Duchess will no longer be considered full-time working Members of
The Royal Family, it was agreed that use of the word ‘Royal’ would need to be
reviewed as it pertains to organisations associated with them in this new regard. More
details on this below.

8
 Blibliography

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megxit
 https://sussexroyal.com/spring-2020-transition/
 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/15/world/europe/harry-meghan-megxit-
brexit.html#commentsContainer