📜 Post with us on Reddit
📝 Create a new article
🏭 Create a company page
🇬🇧 - in English
🇫🇷 - en Français (FR)
🇵🇹 - em Português (PT)
🇩🇪 - in Deutsch (DE)
🇯🇵 - 日本語で (JA)
Sponsored articles

You can edit almost every page by Creating an account. Otherwise, see the FAQ.

Megxit

From EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki


Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (2018)

On 8 January 2020, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex announced their decision on Instagram to "step back as 'senior' members of the Royal Family",[1] splitting their time between the United Kingdom and North America, and to become financially independent;[2][3] the event was dubbed Megxit (a portmanteau of the words "Meghan" and "exit" and a play on the word "Brexit"),[4] and the term became a leading trend on global social and news media, spawning memes,[5][6] and merchandising.[7]

Megxit came to signify the break by the couple from the British royal family and formal royal protocol,[8] and their plans for independence under their new brand, Sussex Royal.[9] The term also reflects a widely reported assumption that Meghan was the driver of their announcement,[10][11][12][13] and its pejorative undertones were noted.[14][15][16][17] Megxit led to an "unprecedented" meeting of the Royal Family (dubbed the "Sandringham Summit"),[18] and a rare first-person statement by the Queen regarding her family.[19][20]

Background[edit]

Announcement[edit]

On Wednesday, 8 January 2020, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex made an announcement on their Instagram account of their intention to "step back as 'senior' members of the Royal Family"; the post contained a link to a new website sussexroyal.com, that provided further statements regarding the decision.[21][22] It was widely reported that few – if any – of the Royal Family had approved/had prior knowledge of the impending announcement, and the Palace issued an immediate statement saying: "Discussions with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage".[21][22]

After the announcement, a close friend of the couple, Tom Bradby, was quoted as saying that the Sussexes were told during their six-week Christmas break at Vancouver Island in Canada that they would not be part of a "slimmed down monarchy"[23][24] and that they were in effect being "driven out".[25] According to The Washington Post, the royal biographer Robert Lacey stated that Prince Charles had advocated a smaller working monarchy.[26] Other reasons raised included ongoing hostile treatment of the couple by some in the British tabloid media[27][8] and perceived issues of racism towards Meghan.[16][17][28]

Naming[edit]

The British tabloid newspaper The Sun is credited with the first use of the term "Megxit" on 9 January 2020, to describe the couple's surprise announcement of their decision.[8][29] The term is a portmanteau of "Meghan" and "exit", following the pattern of Brexit.[30] The Washington Post reported that the announcement was made as a result of a leak to The Sun of the emerging discussions between the couple and the British royal family.[31][32] Days later, some of the British media further elaborated on the relevance of "Megxit", and why they believed that Meghan was the driver of the announcement.[11][10][13][12][33] The BBC noted that the alternative term "Sussexit" was trending on social media; however, it did not reach the level of use as "Megxit" in the mainstream media.[34][5]

Alternative terms appeared in the media but did not catch on to the degree of "Megxit".[5][27] The announcement was not an "abdication" as Harry is not a sovereign and is not resigning his titles (and, unlike in the case of Edward VIII's abdication, he would not be asking for any kind of Sovereign Grant).[35] Further analysis of their statement, and follow-up posts to their newly created website sussexroyal.com, implied that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not in fact "resigning" per se, and they would remain patrons of their "royal" charities and take part in royal activities, while their Sovereign Grant represented only 5 percent of their income. (Prince Charles's privately owned Duchy of Cornwall provides 95 percent.)[36] The term "step[ping] back" was also used,[37][9] including by the couple themselves.[1]

Some sources took issue with the pejorative nature of the term "Megxit", and regarded it as further evidence of the animosity the Duchess had faced.[38][14][15]

By 15 January, the term had become so widespread that The Times reported: "Megxit turns into a moneyspinner", for merchandisers who had made clothing and souvenirs using the term.[7]

Also on 15 January, the New York Times wrote that the parallels between "Megxit" and "Brexit" were greater than just "clever wordplay", and that the two terms involved the same divisions in British public opinion from "young liberals" (who supported the couple, and who supported staying the EU), and "older conservatives" (who supported the Queen, and who supported leaving the EU).[39]

Reactions[edit]

Royal Family[edit]

The Queen was reportedly not consulted on the decision,[31] while Prince Charles was reportedly "furious".[29] ITV later reported that the Queen had arranged for "urgent talks" with senior royals at Sandringham on Monday 13 January,[40] which has been dubbed the "Sandringham Summit".[41][42] The Times speculated as to whether the meeting would result in a "Hard Megxit" or a "Soft Megxit", and that such a meeting of the royal family was "unprecedented".[18] Following the meeting, the Queen issued a rare-first person statement on family matters,[19] saying that they had "very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family", and that "My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family".[43][20] The statement concluded that the family had agreed to "a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK", and that "I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days".[43][19][20]

The Queen was praised for her handling of the affair, and her role as "crisis manager".[44]

In Britain[edit]

Concerns were expressed at how the decision would play out financially for the couple, given that they would still need security protection and that the British taxpayer had already funded a £2.4 million renovation of their residence at Frogmore Cottage.[45][46] NBC News reported on analysis by Brand Finance implying that the impact to the British economy from the affair could be material.[47] A YouGov poll showed that two thirds of people did not think that the couple should receive an income from the Duchy of Cornwall,[48] which covers 95 percent of the couple's annual expenses;[26] other British polls showed similar views regarding withdrawal of financial support, and an unhappiness that the Queen had not been consulted.[31] Madame Tussauds moved its waxwork figures of Harry and Meghan away from the display including the other members of the British royal family to a separate area.[49][50]

Boris Johnson distanced himself from the news, stating: "The royal family is one of the great, great assets of this country. I’m sure they are going to sort it out and I don’t think it’s necessarily helped by commentary from me."[51] Nigel Farage described the announcement as "virtually a letter of resignation", stating that it would be "literally impossible" for the couple to keep up their duties to the Queen, the Commonwealth and their patronages living in Canada.[52] Leave.EU was criticised for calling Harry "pussy-whipped".[53][54]

International[edit]

Donald Trump commented, "I don't think this should be happening to the Queen".[55]

The news was mainly positively received in Canada, where the Duchess of Sussex has since based herself, and the couple were welcomed by Justin Trudeau,[56] who reportedly indicated that Canada would fund security protection for the couple while they were resident there.[57] Chris Waddell, a journalist and professor at the Carleton University School of Journalism and Communication in Ottawa, stated that the couple would receive less scrutiny in local media in Canada than the UK and that it would be more costly for the British tabloids to follow them.[58] Philippe Lagassé, an associate professor at Carleton University, stated that "it’s a big source of national pride that the royal couple would want to be here. It makes Canadians feel better about themselves."[59] An opinion poll by Postmedia Network has suggested that 61 percent of Canadians want Prince Harry to become Governor General of Canada.[60] Chris Selley of the National Post was cynical of the national response and the poll, writing: "The prospect of the Sussexes decamping to Canada seems to have activated a sort of dormant monarchism in many of us, or at least an appreciation for the “modern-day fairy tale” – and that in turn has utterly incensed those who think monarchies are a grotesque anachronism and can’t understand why everyone else doesn’t agree with them".[59] The Wall Street Journal reported: "‘Megxit’ Causes Global Uproar. Canada Shrugs".[61]

Sussex Royal[edit]

While the couple's initial announcement was made on Instagram,[62] their post contained a link to a their new website sussexroyal.com, a brand platform that is expected to form an important part of their plans for financial independence, and which posted follow up statements on their announcement.[63][9] The website was designed by the same Canadian team who built "The Tig" for Meghan in 2017, and was completed over the Christmas holidays when the couple were in Canada.[62][64]

After the announcement, it was reported the couple filed for a trademark for "Sussex Royal" on a range of items including clothing and printed items,[65][66] though it also emerged that an Italian applicant had registered an EU application to trademark products using a "Sussex Royal" brand.[66] The word "Royal" and images of royal crowns have special protection under UK intellectual property law.[66][67]

The Daily Telegraph reported that couple would launch their "Sussex Royal Foundation" in April modelled along the lines of the non-profit foundations of Barack and Michelle Obama, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and Bill and Melinda Gates.[68] Follow-up reports showed the couple had filed World Intellectual Property Organization trademarks for: "Sussex Royal the Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex".[69] In 2019, the couple stepped back from The Royal Foundation, which they had led jointly with Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge.

The Times reported Meghan had signed a voiceover deal with Disney, saying that "The arrangement offers a hint of the couple’s future life, using their celebrity status to benefit their chosen causes".[70] Business Insider, speaking to various brand experts, reported: "Megxit, how Harry and Meghan could build a billion-dollar brand".[71]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex; Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (8 January 2020). "STATEMENT: January 2020". sussexroyal.com. Retrieved 12 January 2020. 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
  2. ↑ "'What are Harry and Meghan thinking?': How the world's newspapers reported Sussexes stepping back from royal family". The Independent. 9 January 2020. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  3. ↑ Justice, Tristan (8 January 2020). "Meghan Markle And Prince Harry Are Leaving The Royal Family". The Federalist. Retrieved 8 January 2020. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  4. ↑ Michael Deacon (11 January 2020). "Why Brexiteers should get behind Megxit". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Eleanor Ainge Roy (January 2020). "'Megxit' dominates as world pores over Meghan and Harry splinter group". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  6. ↑ "The best Megxit memes and jokes reacting to Meghan and Harry's news". The Evening Standard. 10 January 2020. Retrieved 10 January 2020. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Valentine Low (15 January 2020). "Megxit turns into a moneyspinner". The Times. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Jon Allsop (10 January 2020). "Megxit, pursued by the press". Columbia Journalism Review. Retrieved 12 January 2020. The Sun led its coverage with the front-page headline “MEGXIT,” which has become ubiquitous shorthand for Harry and Meghan’s break.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Caity Weaver; Elizabeth Paton (9 January 2020). "Prince Harry and Meghan Stepping Back, Explained". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Valentine Low (13 January 2020). "Prince Harry in turmoil over cutting his royal links". The Times. Retrieved 14 January 2020. The Duchess of Sussex is determined to step away from the royal family but Prince Harry would be “heartbroken” if he had to sever links altogether, a source close to the couple has said.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Gareth Davies (14 January 2020). "Meghan declined to take part in Sandringham summit because she and Harry deemed it 'unnecessary', source reveals". The Daily Telegraph. The duchess is reportedly the driving force behind the Sussexes wish to step back as frontline royals, become financially independent and live part of the year in Canada.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Maria Puente (10 January 2020). "'Megxit' divides U.K.: Is Meghan Markle to blame for royal shocker?". USA Today. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Lee Brown (13 January 2020). "Meghan Markle reportedly pushed for Megxit, Prince Harry 'heartbroken'". New York Post. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Peggy Drexler (12 January 2020). "Why does Meghan get all the blame?". CNN News. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Gary Nunn (14 January 2020). "'Megxit' may seem like a simple portmanteau, but it has far more sinister undertones". ABC News. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "How racism in Britain contributed to 'Megxit'". MSNBC. 11 January 2020. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Ellen McGirt (10 January 2020). "What 'Megxit' Says About Britain's Communities of Color". Fortune. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Valentine Low; Rhys Blakely (13 January 2020). "Hard or soft Megxit? What's on the table". The Times. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Caroline Hallemann (13 January 2020). "Queen Elizabeth Issues a Rare Personal Statement About Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Decision". Town & Country. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Agence France-Presse (14 January 2020). "'Megxit' summit: Queen Elizabeth gives blessing for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to go it alone". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 William Booth; Kate Adam (9 January 2020). "Harry and Meghan aim to 'step back' as senior royals and split time between Britain and North America". The Washington Post. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Mark Landler (9 January 2020). "Going Rogue: Prince Harry and Meghan Caught the Palace Off Guard". New York Times. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  23. ↑ Associated Press (11 January 2020). "Queen Elizabeth moves to control 'Megxit' crisis as Meghan Markle heads to Canada". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  24. ↑ Maria Puente (11 January 2020). "Harry & Meghan's Megxit: Theories abound about what led to their New Year 'surprise'". USA Today. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  25. ↑ Vincent Wood (11 January 2020). "Harry and Meghan believe they are being 'driven out' by Buckingham Palace, says friend". The Independent. Retrieved 11 January 2020. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex feel they are being “driven out” of the royal family after they were told they would not have major roles in a “slimmed-down monarchy,” a friend has claimed.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Karla Adam (10 January 2020). "Meghan flies back to Canada; Prince Harry in 'crisis' talks with Prince Charles". The Washington Post. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Heather Schwedel (10 January 2020). "The British Press Is Losing Its Mind Over Harry and Meghan". Slate. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  28. ↑ Sherelle Jacobs (10 January 2020). "It is absurd to blame the Harry and Meghan fiasco on 'British racism'". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 Jenniffer Hassan (9 January 2020). "'Queen sad, Charles furious': Britain's media reacts to Megxit". The Washington Post. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  30. ↑ Emily Chudy (8 January 2020). "#Megxit trends after Duke and Duchess of Sussex announcement". Irish Independent. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 Karla Adam (11 January 2020). "Britons muse on 'Megxit': 'Diana would be so proud'". Washington Post. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  32. ↑ Laura Italiano (12 January 2020). "Prince Harry reportedly rushed to announce Megxit to avoid Meghan 'meltdown'". New York Post. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  33. ↑ Kayleigh Roberts (12 January 2020). "Meghan Markle Was Reportedly "On the Brink" Just Before the Sussexes' Decision to Step Back from Royal Life". Marie Claire. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  34. ↑ "Prince Harry and Meghan: How the internet reacted to #Sussexit". BBC News. 9 January 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  35. ↑ Erin Blakmore (9 January 2020). "Is Prince Harry abdicating? Not so fast". National Geographic. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  36. ↑ Kate Maltby (10 January 2020). "Harry and Meghan aren't actually quitting the family business". CNN News. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  37. ↑ Robin Wright (8 January 2020). "Prince Harry and Meghan Markle step back from royal duties". Financial Times. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  38. ↑ Erin Lindsay (9 January 2020). "Megxit: the blaming of Meghan Markle for the Royal Retirement is misogyny at work". Image. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  39. ↑ Mark Landler (15 January 2020). "'Megxit' Is the New Brexit in a Britain Split by Age and Politics". New York Times. Retrieved 15 January 2020. The debate over Harry and Meghan’s push for greater independence from royal life is uncannily like the Brexit debate, with young liberals favoring the couple and older conservatives backing the queen.
  40. ↑ Chris Ship (11 January 2020). "Queen summons Charles, William and Harry to Sandringham to resolve crisis". itv.com. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  41. ↑ "Harry and Meghan: What's on the agenda for the 'Sandringham summit'?". BBC News. 13 January 2020. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  42. ↑ Victoria Ward; Jamie Johnson (13 January 2020). "Sandringham Summit: Queen expresses regret as she confirms Prince Harry and Meghan departure". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 "Harry and Meghan: Queen's statement in full". BBC. 13 January 2020. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  44. ↑ William Booth (15 January 2020). "How Megxit put Queen Elizabeth II in the role of crisis manager once again". Washington Post. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  45. ↑ Elston, Laura (8 January 2020). "Harry and Meghan's 'extraordinary' decision not thought through – royal writer". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  46. ↑ Catherine Wylie, Laura Elston and Tony Jones (9 January 2020). "Harry, Meghan to keep Frogmore Cottage". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 12 January 2020.CS1 maint: Uses authors parameter (link)
  47. ↑ May Pflum (9 January 2019). "'Megxit' could pack a punch to the British economy". NBC News. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  48. ↑ "Queen calls Royal family crisis meeting as Meghan flies back to Canada". The Daily Telegraph. 10 January 2020. Retrieved 10 January 2020. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  49. ↑ "Megxit latest: Meghan and Harry removed from Madame Tussauds line-up". Irish Times. 10 January 2020. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  50. ↑ "Madame Tussauds reacts to #Megxit, knocks off Harry & Meghan waxwork from royal family display". The Times of India. 10 January 2020. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  51. ↑ Olivia Petter (14 January 2020). "Boris Johnson 'absolutely confident' that royal family will resolve 'Megxit'". Independent. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  52. ↑ "Meghan Markle announcement is 'resignation' says Nigel Farage". Express. 9 January 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  53. ↑ Mia Jankowicz (9 January 2020). "Leave.EU weighs in on 'Megxit' with sexist tweet about 'pussy-whipped' Harry". The New European. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  54. ↑ Jones, Harrison (10 January 2020). "Prince Harry called 'p***y-whipped' by Leave.EU in 'disgusting' sexist tweet". The Metro. Retrieved 12 January 2020. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  55. ↑ Savannah Behrmann (10 January 2020). "Trump on 'Megxit': 'I don't think this should be happening to' the queen". USA Today. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  56. ↑ Dan Bilefsky (11 January 2020). "Could 'Megxit' Be a Royal Fairy Tale for Canada?". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  57. ↑ Robert Jobson (14 January 2020). "Revealed: Canada says it will pick up Harry and Meghan's security bill while they are in the country". Evening Standard. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  58. ↑ Warburton, Moira (11 January 2020). "Prince Harry and Meghan would find friendlier media in Canada but impossible to escape scrutiny". Reuters. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 Chris Selley (14 January 2020). "Chris Selley: Megxit really is messing with giddy Canadians' heads". National Post. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  60. ↑ "'Celebrities': Will Prince Harry take over the post of governor general? Canadians are hopeful, poll says". National Post. 9 January 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  61. ↑ Vipal Monga (15 January 2020). "'Megxit' Causes Global Uproar. Canada Shrugs". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  62. ↑ 62.0 62.1 Catherine J Igoe (9 January 2020). "Meghan and Harry's New Website Was Created by "The Tig" Designers". Marie Claire. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  63. ↑ Jessica Davis (9 January 2020). "How will the Sussexes make their money now?". Harper's Bazaar. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  64. ↑ Caroline Hallemann (12 January 2020). "Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Website Designer Shares What It Was Like to Work on SussexRoyal.com". Town & Country. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  65. ↑ Rebecca Mead (10 January 2020). "Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Royal Flush". The New Yorker. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  66. ↑ 66.0 66.1 66.2 Ben Quinn (11 January 2020). "Harry and Meghan could face fight to protect 'Sussex Royal' brand". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  67. ↑ Lord Chamberlain's Office. "Use of Royal Arms, Names and Images". Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  68. ↑ Steve Bird; Nick Allen (11 January 2020). "Sussex Royal foundation expected to launch in April as couple face stumbling block over Hollywood celebrity donations". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  69. ↑ Ben Quinn (12 January 2020). "Harry and Meghan seek global trademark for 'Sussex Royal' brand". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  70. ↑ Valentine Low (11 January 2020). "Harry and Meghan: Voiceover deal with Disney hints at future career path". The Times. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  71. ↑ Taylor Borden (14 January 2020). "Megxit: Actually, it would be pretty easy for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry to build a billion-dollar brand". Business Insider. Retrieved 15 January 2020.

External links[edit]


This article "Megxit" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Megxit. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.

Page kept on Wikipedia This page exists already on Wikipedia.

Retrieved from "https://en.everybodywiki.com/index.php?title=Megxit&oldid=4682733"
License CC BY-SA 3.0
Powered by MediaWiki
Powered by Semantic MediaWiki