(PHOTO CREDIT: SAMIR HUSSEIN/WIREIMAGE)

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are assuming less royal responsibilities

Amid rumors that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were “quitting” the royal life, the couple issued a statement confirming they were “stepping back” as “senior members” of the British royal family. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex said they will instead split their time between Great Britain and North America and will have limited royal duties.

“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,” the couple wrote on their joint Instagram account. “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.”

Sources close to the royal family say Harry and Meghan didn’t discuss the decision with the Queen or the rest of the family before announcing their decision. Therefore, the source says, “There’s a lot of hurt.”

In their statement, Harry and Meghan hinted that they want a more normal lifestyle for their son, Archie, who was born in May. They also said they’re focusing on their new “charitable entity.”

“We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages,” Harry and Meghan wrote. “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. We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course.”