The royal family has been plunged into a state of shock after Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle made a major announcement.
In a statement, the two announced that they intended to step back from their demanding royal duties that have kept them very much in the public eye.
The decision was reached without consulting senior members of the royal family.
The two said that they intended to split their time between Britain and North America.
"We have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution," the couple said in its statement as quoted by I News.
"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. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment, " the statement added.
The monumental decision comes in the wake of vicious coverage by the British tabloid press.
Speculation is rife that the couple may be headed for Canada.
The Independent reported that a number of tabloid publications had launched a series of scathing attacks on the couple for making the major decision.