A truly extraordinary statement on a truly extraordinary day in the history of the Royal Family.
Harry and Meghan’s decision to resign from their roles is without precedent – their decision to not tell the Queen or other senior royals, astonishing.
This has been bubbling under the surface for quite some time but no one would have expected the ruthlessness of the announcement.
With the declaration they are quitting their current roles with the family, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex say they are looking forward to their financial independence.
And no wonder.
PR gurus have suggested they will be able to exploit their royal connections to the tune of millions of pounds each year, in truth the sky’s the limit.
Well-placed sources have told me the couple want to “become one of the most influential double acts on the planet” - but no one is quite clear what the plan is.
Harry and Meghan have suggested that by not taking the handout of the Sovereign Grant they will be free to do what they want, free from criticism and free to sign mega deals with global corporations.
If that turns out to be the case, they should start by paying British taxpayers back nearly £3million they forked out to do up Harry and Meghan’s lavish home, while the pair of them are millionaires in their own right.
The two-line statement from Buckingham Palace last night that included “these are complicated issues that will take time to work through”, paints a grim picture.
Perhaps over time it will turn out that they don’t need the family, they don’t need the media that has supported their charities and causes, and they can rely instead on their famous friends and an Instagram account.
However there will be many inside as well as outside of the Palace walls who are bound to be deeply saddened by this.
