Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Are Modernizing the Royal Family

Since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married in May 2018, they have been modernizing the royal family in so many ways. Whether it’s the Duchess of Sussex’s clothes to her husband’s wedding band, the royal couple have learned to do things their own way without caring too much about public opinion.

In January, Harry and Meghan showed the world just how much they’re done following royal tradition when they released a statement about their plans for the future.

“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution. We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen,” they announced via Instagram.

“It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment. We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honor our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages,” the statement continued. “This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity.”

The Sussexes concluded their long caption by writing, “We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties. Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support.”

After announcing they were going to “step back” from their royal duties and split their time between the U.K. and Canada, Queen Elizabeth gave the young couple her blessing.

“Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family,” the 93-year-old monarch said in a statement on Monday, January 13. “My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.”

Scroll below to see a few ways Harry and Meghan have modernized the royal family!

No More Royal Protocol

Now that Harry and Meghan are stepping back from their royal duties, they don’t plan on teaching their son, Archie, about royal protocol.

“Harry and Meghan are determined to give Archie a normal life — for him to be treated like any other child,” an insider recently told Closer Weekly. “Meghan wasn’t a fan of royal protocol, so Archie won’t be taught any of that!”

Canada and the U.K.

Even though we were sad to see them go, Prince Harry and Meghan are doing what’s best for their son and that means splitting their time between the U.K. and Canada evenly. An onlooker recently spotted them in the Great White North and told Closer Weekly, “they seem so happy and relaxed.”

Another insider added, Harry “finally feels at peace and has never been happier.” Looks like everything is going well for the Sussexes.

Frogmore Cottage

Fans were surprised when Harry and Meghan decided they didn’t want to be neighbors with Kate and William anymore. In April 2019, the Sussexes packed up all of their stuff from Kensington Palace and moved into Frogmore Cottage.

However, they didn’t stay there long because they already have a new home in Canada.

Meghan’s Baby Shower

Let’s not forget the event of a lifetime! When Meghan held her baby shower in New York City, she invited all of her closest friends to attend and, of course, that meant a star-studded guest list. Some big names came through like Serena Williams and Amal Clooney.

If you remember, Kate Middleton didn’t have a lavish baby shower for any of her three kids. Royal expert Victoria Arbiter previously told The Sun, “a lavish baby shower would be seen as highly inappropriate” in the royal family because “there’s nothing they can’t go out and buy themselves.”