Meghan Markle has returned to Canada to be reunited with baby Archie - as her husband Prince Harry held crisis talks with the Royal family.
Prince Harry, 35, remains in the UK where he is reported to have held a four-way phone call with the Queen, his father Prince Charles and brother Prince William, following his bombshell announcement that he wants to step back from Royal duties.
Meghan, 38, is in Vancouver, where her baby son was staying with a nanny when the couple returned briefly to the UK after the couple spent an extended six-week stay over Christmas and the New Year in Canada.
It is believed she will stay in Canada for the foreseeable future.
Harry, however, will remain in the UK as he is hosting the Rugby League World Cup 2021 draw next week.
Crunch talks took place on Thursday in a call between the Queen, in Sandringham, Charles from Scotland and William in London as Harry joined the call from Windsor.
The Queen is said to be "deeply upset" by the announcement by the couple that they are stepping back as senior royals and splitting their time between North America and the UK.
No other royals were consulted ahead of Wednesday night's shock announcement.
Harry and Meghan want to be "financially independent" in their new lives but still want to support the Queen and draw money from Prince Charles' Duchy of Cornwall estate.
They indicated that they intend to step back as senior members of the royal family and will divide their time between North America and the UK while "continuing to honour our duty to the Queen, the Commonwealth and our patronages."
The decision came after "many months of reflection and internal discussions", they added.
The Queen reportedly only learnt of the announcement when the news broke on TV as Prince Charles and Prince William were given a copy of the statement 10 minutes before the couple released the announcement on Instagram.
Buckingham Palace released a statement which said: "We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through."
Constitutionally, Harry will remain sixth in line to the throne.
Former actor Meghan, who is American, lived and worked in Toronto during her time filming the popular US drama Suits.
The couple are preparing to launch a charity, Sussex Royal, which they set up after splitting from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's foundation in June 2019.
It is expected to be global, linked to the US and Africa, with a commitment to female empowerment.
The couple applied to trademark the brand in December on items including books, calendars, clothing, charitable fundraising, education and social care services.
The couple are classified as "internationally protected people", which means the Metropolitan Police must provide armed security.
They intend to retain Frogmore Cottage, the Grade-II listed property in Windsor, that underwent £2.4 million renovations funded by taxpayers so they have a place to call home in the UK.
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