The Queen’s decision to “reluctantly” let the Duke and Duchess of Sussex step down as senior royals generates plenty of light and heat across the front pages.
Harry and Meghan “got their way” at the Sandringham royal summit, according to the Sun, but the papers says the queen made it plain she is “deeply upset they are quitting”.
“Orf you go … but one is not amused,” is its headline. The paper says the couple will initially stay in Canada “but eventually want to make Los Angeles their home”.
Tomorrow's front page: Harry and Meghan get their way as sad Queen gives in to their demands https://t.co/wSeCPrBHIk pic.twitter.com/jwzPS1crmo
— The Sun (@TheSun) January 13, 2020
The Daily Express paints the Queen as the hero of the hour with “Gracious Queen grants Harry his wish”. It compares the monarch’s statement over the split to her address to the nation after Princess Diana died.
“Make no mistake, it means Harry and Meghan have won,” it says.
EXPRESS: Gracious Queen grants Harry his wish #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/NuHSiB9oUf
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) January 13, 2020
“Go … if you must” is the Daily Mail’s headline. The paper describes the Queen’s statement as “deeply personal” and says she and her closest relatives “would have preferred” Harry and Meghan remain full-time working royals.
MAIL: Go.....if you must #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/jVN6rHEMT5
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) January 13, 2020
The Mirror leads with the headline “Queen to Harry: ‘I want you to stay … but you’re free to go’ ”. Like the Mail, it gives a blow-by-blow description of what the Queen’s statement said, and what it meant: “Peace, but there may still be plenty to play for,” says its royal editor, describing the summit as “one of the most extraordinary days in modern royal history”.
MIRROR: Queen to Harry: I want you to stay .... but you’re free to go #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/tb4ercNHgA
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) January 13, 2020
The Guardian says “Harry and Meghan get Queen’s backing”. The paper says the fact that the couple were not referred to in the Queen’s statement using their official titles, instead using their first names, was “highly unusual” and raised questions about whether they will retain their titles.
GUARDIAN: Record heat in world’s oceans is ‘dire’ warning on climate crisis #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/S7RoPjx90w
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) January 13, 2020
The Daily Telegraph’s headline is “The Queen’s reluctant farewell”. Inside it describes “How the Queen tried to save the House of Windsor”. It, too, likened the Queen’s statement to the week of Diana’s death, saying there were “echoes” of the Queen’s TV address in 1997.
TELEGRAPH: The Queen’s reluctant farewell #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/55nUKg0Wwg
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) January 13, 2020
The Times says “Queen gives Meghan and Harry ‘transition period’ ” as its front page headline. Inside it carries a story titled “William is not a bully, insist brothers in a show of unity”.
TIMES: Queen gives Meghan and Harry ‘transition period’ #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/25qmRGPn9Z
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) January 13, 2020
